Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to determine smokers' and nonsmokers' self reported oral health behavior and dental visiting patterns in Saudi Arabia.Methods: A structured, close-ended and self-reported questionnaire assessed the oral health behaviors and dental attendance patterns among study participants in Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and non parametric tests were applied to the data. Hiroshima University Dental Behavioral Inventory (HUDBI), designed in Arabic and English, was shared on social media platforms to capture the data on oral health behavior among citizens and residents.Results: Seven hundred and thirteen subjects responded to the questionnaire, of which 486 (68.2%) were non smokers and (31.8%) were smokers. The mean HUDBI ranks of smokers ranged between 89.03 to 124.74, while for non smokers, it ranged from 202.70-265, indicating poor oral health behaviors of smokers. Smokers and non smokers showed a significant difference in having false teeth in old age (p=0.033), gum color (p=0.002) and worsening teeth despite regular cleaning (p=0.011). Similarly, more smokers than non smokers used hard tooth brush bristles (p<0.001). Most smokers than non smokers visit the dentist due to their dental problems. Conclusions: Smokers demonstrated poorer oral health behaviors than non smokers and visited the dentist whenever they had dental problems.