Use of Internet as a Source of Oral Health Information in Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Aim: This study aimed to assess the use of Internet as a source of oral health among adult population in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia.

Methodology: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among adults aged above 18 years through Google Forms. Questionnaire consisting of demographic characteristics and questions related to use of Internet, reason for use of Internet, whether they use Internet for searching information related to oral health, which is the media they use more preferably to search oral health information, and does they found the information beneficial or not was asked.

Results: Almost 98.2% of the participants uses Internet for one or the other reasons. About 71.3% of the participants use the Internet for searching oral health information. Google is the most common platform for searching oral health information on the Internet. Age and education wise, there was a statistically significant difference in many responses (P < 0.050).

Conclusion: Majority of the study population have access to Internet, also search oral health information on the Internet. There is a need for regulations and guidelines so that oral health information available from the Internet can be used as a media to promote oral health.