Education level, oral hygiene and smoking habits of an elderly Saudi population in Riyadh

The aim of this study was to assess the education level, oral hygiene and smoking habits of an elderly population in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The study was conducted at various locations including King Saud University, College of Dentistry Hospital, Riyadh Medical Complex, Military Hospital, vegetable markets and elderly house holds. A convenient sample of two hundred and fourteen subjects, age ranged 50-89 years male and female, were interviewed for education level, oral hygiene and smoking habits. The results showed that twenty-five percent of the sample was illiterate while almost 23 percent were with University Education. Only 46 percent were toothbrush user and 44 percent miswak user. Almost 25 percent were smoker. It is concluded that oral hygiene practices were common and cigarette smoking was not very prevalent. Further studies are needed to look into the other areas of oral health related with elderly population in Saudi Arabia.