Social Media and Oral Hygiene Awareness in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

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This study investigated the relationship between social media engagement and oral hygiene awareness in the KSA and identified commonly used platforms for dental health information. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous, validated questionnaire distributed electronically at a governmental hospital. The survey included demographic data, social media engagement, and oral hygiene awareness. Data were analyzed using STATA, applying chi-square tests and scoring awareness levels. Of 346 participants, 46.11%, 36.31%, and 17.58% exhibited moderate, high, and low oral hygiene awareness, respectively. Women displayed higher awareness than men (p = 0.049). Higher education levels correlated with increased awareness (p = 0.04). Google and YouTube were the most used platforms, while Snapchat and TikTok were less used among those with high awareness. Participants primarily trusted information from dentists and official organizations, with qualifications being the most important trust factor. Social media significantly contributes to oral health information dissemination, and most participants demonstrated moderate to high awareness levels, with Google and YouTube as the preferred platforms. social media oral hygiene awareness Kingdom of Saudi Arabia dental health education Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Introduction The influence of social media has been increasingly significant and impossible to ignore. Social media encompasses Internet-based tools that enable the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and images 1 . In 2024, statistics from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) revealed that 94.30% of the population were active users of social media with an average usage time of approximately 3 h per day 2 . Social media functions as a platform for social support and fosters a sense of connectedness among users 3 . It has gained popularity in the KSA not only for entertainment and communication but also for professional education and marketing. Additionally, social media has emerged as a preferred method for health promotion, which is supported by increased evidence of its effectiveness in reaching diverse audiences 4 . Several studies have investigated the prevalence and impact of social media use among Saudi and Arab populations. For instance, Bahkali et al. 5 reported that 84.9% of Arabic-speaking participants sought health information online. In another study 6 , the same group of authors found that the Saudi population actively utilizes the Internet and social media to obtain information on medications. Alhaddad 7 conducted a cross-sectional study on 750 participants and revealed that one-third of the respondents searched for or received medical information on social media on a daily or weekly basis. The study highlighted that physicians are generally considered the preferred source of health information. However, it also indicated that Internet sources significantly influence medication knowledge as many of the participants tended to search online for health information prior to a doctor’s visit or to support the need for a second opinion. Given the pivotal role of social media in health promotion, a pressing need exists to ensure the accuracy and reliability of health-related information shared on various platforms. For example, Baber et al. 8 conducted a systematic review to identify the prevalence of health misinformation on social media and revealed widespread inaccuracy on critical public health issues, particularly on Twitter. Notably, topics related to smoking products and drugs were particularly susceptible to misinformation. Research also indicates that online platforms present an opportunity for dental health professionals to enhance public health education 9 . A survey found that 58% of respondents consulted social media when faced with dental issues, and 68.6% reported finding the information that they sought 10 . Althunayan et al. 11 assessed the role of social media in dental health promotion and behavior change in the context of Qassim, KSA. Approximately 80% of participants cited accessibility and ease of information collection as key reasons for social media use. However, 50.3% identified difficulty in communication with experts as a primary barrier to their consideration of social media as a reliable source. Despite this result, the respondents preferred social media when accessing oral health information due to its convenience, although challenges in communication with experts remained a significant obstacle 11 . The current study aims to assess the relationship between social media engagement and oral hygiene awareness in the KSA and to identify the most frequently used social media platforms by individuals seeking oral health information. The study hopes that the findings could serve as reference for the Ministry of Health and other healthcare institutions with the necessary insights in effectively utilizing social media platforms to promote oral hygiene awareness and disseminate accurate information. Materials and Methods Study Design The study employed a cross-sectional design and used an anonymous, self-administered, and validated questionnaire for data collection. The survey was conducted based on previously validated questionnaires, which ensure reliability. Participants The study recruited individuals aged 18 years and older residing in the KSA who are capable of accessing the online survey. They were contacted via electronic methods, including emails, social media platforms, and in-person solicitation at the dental clinic at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC). Survey Structure The survey was organized into three distinct sections: Demographic data: the participants provided information on age, gender, level of education, and employment status. 19 Social media engagement: This section assessed participants’ engagement with social media, including the platforms frequently accessed, primary reasons for using social media, and amount of time spent on these platforms per day. 20 , 11 , Oral hygiene awareness: the participants were queried about oral health practices, including frequency of dental and medical visits, brushing habits, and professional scaling. Additional questions gauged their general knowledge related to dental health. 21 , 22 , Pilot Study Prior to its full-scale distribution, the questionnaire was translated into Arabic to ensure accessibility and cultural relevance. A pilot study was then conducted on a small sample size to evaluate the reliability and validity of the items. Feedback from this pilot phase was used to further refine the survey. Data Collection After the pilot study, the finalized survey was electronically distributed through multiple channels, including emails, social media networks, and directly within the dental clinic at the KFSHRC. The participants were instructed to complete the questionnaire anonymously to ensure confidentiality. Data collection was managed using REDCap databases to ensure organized and secure data management. Statistical Analyses Statistical analyses were conducted using STATA version 17. The authors computed for frequency tables and percentages to summarize the data. Associations between variables were assessed using chi-square tests with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. For scoring, responses that indicated awareness were assigned 1 point, while responses that indicate a lack of awareness were given a score of 0, which resulted in total scores ranging from 0 to 11 across all items. Based on the tertile distribution of these scores, the participants were categorized under three levels of awareness, namely, low (0 to < 7 points), moderate (7 to < 9 points), and high (9 points or more). This classification provided a structured method for analyzing the level of oral hygiene awareness among the participants, which enabled a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between social media engagement and dental health knowledge. Results The study recruited a total of 346 participants. The majority were aged between 30 and 39 years (31.30%) followed by between 21 and 29 years (26.96%). Women comprised 77.76% of the total sample. In terms of education, the majority completed a bachelor’s degree (61.56%), while a small proportion achieved less than a high school degree (0.87%). The majority resided in the central region (69.65%) with lesser representation from the western (17.05%), northern (6.65%), eastern (3.47%), and southern (3.18%) regions. The results demonstrate that nearly half of the participants (46.11%) exhibited moderate levels of awareness of oral hygiene, while 36.31% exhibited high levels of awareness. In contrast, 17.58% had low levels of awareness (Fig. 1). Analysis of sociodemographic factors in relation to level of awareness reveals that age was nonsignificant associated with awareness levels ( p = 0.74). However, gender displayed a significant association with awareness levels ( p = 0.049), with a higher percentage of women (82.54%) demonstrating higher levels of awareness compared with those of men (17.46%). Level of education was significantly associated with awareness ( p = 0.04); individuals with higher levels of education, particularly those with a bachelor’s or graduate degree, were more likely to possess high levels of awareness, while those with less than a high school degree was predominantly under the low-awareness category. Residence did not point to a significant association with awareness levels ( p = 0.19), although a majority of participants from the central region exhibited high levels of awareness. Analysis of the platforms used for searching oral health information indicates that Google is the most commonly used platform across levels of awareness with 60%, 47.66%, and 56.57% of participants with low, moderate, and high levels of awareness, respectively, relying on it. YouTube is also frequently used, particularly by those with moderate levels of awareness (24.3%). Other platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat exhibit lower rates of usage across all levels of awareness with Snapchat and TikTok being notably absent among those with high levels of awareness. No statistically significant differences exist regarding platform usage and awareness levels ( p = 0.069). The results revealed that 172 respondents primarily relied on dentists’ social media accounts for dental health information. International organizations, such as the Saudi Dental Society, were sources for 164 participants. A total of 109 respondents consulted the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, only 98 individuals referred to influencers or celebrities for information. The results demonstrated that 215 respondents considered qualifications as the most important trust factor when seeking dental information. In total, 159 individuals considered photos of treated cases significant, while 153 relied on medical websites or forums. Positive reviews influenced 130 respondents, while the number of followers was the least trusted factor with only 42 individuals considering it important (Fig. 3 ). The results indicated that WhatsApp was the most commonly used social media platform closely followed by Snapchat and Instagram. YouTube is also frequently used. In contrast, platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and the least used app was LinkedIn. Discussion The growth of Internet access is largely driven by the increased availability of mobile devices and decreased cost of Internet services. In the KSA, the popularity of social media and technology has surged, particularly among the young population. In 2024, Internet penetration in the KSA was reported at 99%, with more than 35 million active social media accounts, which represents 94.3% of the population 2 . The current study revealed that nearly half of the participants (46.11%) demonstrated moderate levels of oral hygiene awareness, while 36.31% and 17.58% exhibited high and low levels of awareness, respectively. Similarly, a recent cross-sectional study in Jordan 12 reported that participants exhibited moderate levels of knowledge about periodontitis. Additionally, oral hygiene practices were relatively modest. Another study in India indicated that approximately 97.9% of participants demonstrated good oral knowledge, 33.3% displayed positive attitudes, and 48.2% exhibited adequate oral health behavior 13 . The current study found that women had higher levels of oral hygiene awareness compared with men. The observed gender disparity in awareness is consistent with the results of the existing literature that suggest that women generally exhibit greater engagement with health information 14 . This difference may be attributed to the tendency of women to generally place much emphasis on health, which likely contributes to their greater acquisition of knowledge and more proactive attitudes toward oral health compared with men 15 . Level of education was significantly linked to awareness ( p = 0.04), with those holding higher degrees displaying greater awareness. The significant association between higher levels of education and higher levels of health awareness aligns with the findings of previous studies 14 . Residence did not significantly influence levels of oral hygiene awareness ( p = 0.19), although a higher proportion of participants from the central region displayed high levels of awareness. Almozainy (2017) reported that 48% of respondents from rural areas selected dentists through social media compared with only 31% of those living in major cities. This difference may be due to several factors. In urban areas, people typically rely on recommendations from friends or the community, referrals, convenience of location, or established trust in local dental offices. In contrast, rural areas typically lack specialized dental clinics, which prompts residents to search online for the best dentists when planning visits to cities. In terms of searching for oral health information, the current study found that Google was the most commonly used platform across levels of awareness. Participants with low (60%), moderate (47.66%), and high (56.57%) levels of awareness primarily used Google. Notably, individuals with moderate levels of awareness (24.3%) used YouTube. Other platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat were less frequently used with Snapchat and TikTok being notably absent among those with high levels of awareness. This finding aligns with that by Bachl et al. 16 . who identified search engines as a primary resource for health-related inquiries 16 . Similarly, the widespread use of YouTube supports the scoping review by Curran et al (2020), who reported that video content was increasingly important for health education. However, other studies mentioned recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness and quality of YouTube videos as educational tools 17 . For sources of dental health information, 32.6% of the respondents mainly relied on the social media accounts of dentists, while 31.1% consulted international organizations such as the Saudi Dental Society. The Ministry of Health was a source for 20.7% of participants, and 18.6% of the respondent's consulted influencers or celebrities. Similarly, Almozainy et al. 10 . reported that 48.4% of respondents believed that specialized dental websites are the most effective sources of dental information. This notion indicates that while social media is a valuable tool, it is not the sole source of information. Professional dental websites are viewed as more trustworthy and enduring, given the rapidly changing landscape of social media platforms 10 . This perspective is in contrast with that of a previous study in North America, which proposed that social media may eventually surpass traditional websites in terms of the effectiveness of marketing 18 . However, the current results imply that professional websites remain critical and reliable resources for dental information. When the participants were asked about their trust factors for dental information, 40.7% prioritized qualifications, while 30.1% valued photos of treated cases. Medical websites or forums were significant for 29.0%, while positive reviews influenced 24.6%. The number of followers was the least important factor with only 8.0% considering it a key indicator of trust. Similarly, Almozainy demonstrated that the most important factor was dentists’ qualifications followed by before-and-after photos of treated cases and positive comments or recommendations from other followers. These findings reflected the public’s awareness of the importance of professional qualifications over commercial accounts, which could manipulate the number of followers to create a false impression of popularity 10 . In terms of usage, WhatsApp was the most commonly used application followed by Snapchat and Instagram. In contrast, platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn were less frequently used. Althunayan et al. (2018) reported that the most used applications for reasons related to oral health were Twitter (53.8%), Instagram (40.9%), and YouTube (36.7%) among the population of Qassim province 11 . The prevalent use of WhatsApp for dental health information indicates a shift toward more personal and accessible forms of digital communication. This change also highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider integrating platforms such as WhatsApp into communication strategies to enhance outreach and engagement. In contrast, Almaiman et al (2016) illustrated that 1.1% of participants reported no preference for using specific social media platforms 9 . In summary, these findings underscored the increasing role of social media in accessing dental information with significant preferences for platforms such as Google and WhatsApp. They also highlight the importance of professional qualifications and credible sources over followers in the development of trust in dental health information. Conclusion Social media is transforming the healthcare landscape by providing platforms for both patients and healthcare professionals on which to share and access information. These networks are significantly expanding the reach of health information, which renders it more accessible to diverse populations. While further research is necessary to fully elucidate the potential benefits and outcomes of using social media in dental education, its rapid growth presents promising opportunities for enhancing dental knowledge and awareness. Abbreviations KSA Kingdom of Saudi Arabia KFSH&RC King Faisal specialist hospital and research center Declarations Ethical consideration: Ethics approval for this study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee and Research Advisory Council (RAC) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and research center, under approval number 2255051. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. The purpose of the study, data confidentiality, and the voluntary nature of participation were explained at the beginning of the online questionnaire. Participants indicated their consent by proceeding to complete the questionnaire . Consent for publication: Verbal informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. The purpose of the study was clearly explained, and participation was entirely voluntary. All personal information was kept confidential and handled in accordance with ethical standards to ensure the privacy and anonymity of participants. The survey is anonymous. Participants will not be asked to provide any ID numbers or names. Availability of data and materials: The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Authors' contributions: Dr. Talal Dimachki was responsible for the study design and drafting of the initial manuscript. Dr. Sarah Al Halees, literature review, and critically revised the manuscript for intellectual content, data collection. Dr.Nomahn Humayun was responsible for the study conception, literature review writing, and the implementation of the survey. Norah Alnassar conducted the statistical analysis, and contributed to the results section, contributed to the interpretation of data. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript References Ventola CL. Social media and health care professionals: Benefits, risks, and best practices. Pharm Ther. 2014;39(7):491–520. Saudi Arabia Social Media Statistics 2024. (2024) Retrieved from: https://www.globalmediainsight.com/blog/saudi-arabia-social-media-statistics/ Korda H, Itani Z. Harnessing social media for health promotion and behavior change. Health Promot Pract. 2013;14(1):15–23. Bahabri RH, Zaidan AB. The impact of social media on dental practice promotion and professionalism amongst general dental practitioners and specialists in KSA. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2021;16(3):456–60. Bahkali S, Alfurih S, Aldremly M, Alzayyat M, Alsurimi K, Househ M. The prevalence of internet and social media based medication information seeking behavior in Saudi Arabia Studies. Health Technol Inf. 2016;226:275–8. Bahkali S, Almaiman R, El-Awad M, Almohanna H, Al-Surimi K, Househ M. Exploring the impact of information seeking behaviors of online health consumers in the Arab World Unifying the Applications and Foundations of. Biomedical Health. 2016;226:279–82. Alhaddad MS. The use of social media among Saudi residents for medicines related information. Saudi Pharm J. 2018;26(8):1106–11. Barber SK, Lam Y, Hodge TM, Pavitt S. Is social media the way to empower patients to share their experiences of dental care? J Am Dent Association. 2018;149(6):451–9. Almaiman S, Bahkali S, Alabdulatif N, Bahkaly A, Al-Surimi K, Househ M. Promoting oral health using social media platforms: Seeking Arabic online oral health related information (OHRI). Stud Health Technol Inform. 2016;226:283–6. Almozainy M. Assessing the use of social media as a source of information related to dentistry in Saudi Arabia. J Dent Health Oral Disorders Therapy. 2017;8(7):10–15406. Althunayan A, Alsalhi R, Elmoazen R. Role of social media in dental health promotion and behavior change in Qassim province. Saudi Arabia Int J Med Health Res. 2018;4(2):98–103. Naser MY, Momani M, Naser AY, Alarabeyat MA, Altarawneh AMB, Aladwan AS. Oral health profile and periodontal diseases awareness and knowledge among the jordanian population: A cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2023;23(1):503. Selvaraj S, Naing NN, Wan-Arfah N, de Abreu MHNG. (2021) Assessment on oral health knowledge, attitude, and behaviour and its association with sociodemographic and habitual factors of South Indian population Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Clínica Integrada 21 e0135. Rajeh MT. Gender differences in oral health knowledge and practices among adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Clinical. Cosmet Invest Dentistry. 2022;14:235–44. Zumbo G, Costacurta M, Zara F, Pranno N, Ceravolo M, Covello F, Saccucci M, Vozza I. Diet implications and oral health status of women in central Italy European. J Dent. 2022;16(3):557–63. Bachl M, Link E, Mangold F, Stier S. Search engine use for health-related purposes: Behavioral data on online health information-seeking in. Ger Health Communication. 2024;39(8):1651–64. Curran V, Simmons K, Matthews L, Fleet L, Gustafson DL, Fairbridge NA, Xu X. YouTube as an educational resource in medical education: A scoping review. Med Sci Educ. 2020;30(4):1775–82. Wheeler CK, Said H, Prucz R, Rodrich RJ, Mathes DW. Social media in plastic surgery practices: Emerging trends in North America. Aesthetic Surg J. 2011;31(4):435–41. Alduraywish SA, Altamimi LA, Aldhuwayhi RA, AlZamil LR, Alzeghayer LY, Alsaleh FS, Aldakheel FM, Tharkar S. Sources of Health Information and Their Impacts on Medical Knowledge Perception Among the Saudi Arabian Population: Cross-Sectional Study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(3):e14414. Alanzi T, Al-Habib DK. The Use of Social Media by Healthcare Quality Personnel in Saudi Arabia. J Environ Public Health. 2020;2020:1417478. 10.1155/2020/1417478 . PMID: 32565836; PMCID: PMC7262735. Del Ruíz-López G, Blaya-Nováková V, Saz-Parkinson Z, Álvarez-Montero ÓL, Ayala A, Muñoz-Moreno MF, Forjaz MJ. Design and validation of an oral health questionnaire for preoperative anaesthetic evaluation. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2017 Jan-Feb;67(1):6–14. Gupta S, Jain A, Mohan S, Bhaskar N, Walia PK. Comparative Evaluation of Oral Health Knowledge, Practices and Attitude of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women, and Their Awareness Regarding Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(11):ZC26–32. 10.7860/JCDR/2015/13819.6756 . Epub 2015 Nov 1. PMID: 26674176; PMCID: PMC4668518. Tables Table (1): Sociodemographic characteristics of included participants. Variables Group (N) (%) Age 17 or younger 2 0.58 18 – 20 6 1.74 21 – 29 93 26.96 30 – 39 108 31.30 40 – 49 68 19.71 50 – 59 49 14.20 60 or older 19 5.51 Gender Female 268 77.76 Male 78 22.54 Education Less than high school degree 3 0.87 High school degree 24 6.94 Some college but no degree 38 10.98 Bachelor's degree 213 61.56 Graduate degree 68 19.65 Residence Central 241 69.65 Northern 23 6.65 Southern 11 3.18 Eastern 12 3.47 Western 59 17.05 Table (2): Sociodemographics related to level of awareness. Sociodemographic Level of awareness p -value Low awareness Moderate awareness High awareness Age, n (%) 17 or younger 0 (0) 2 (1.25) 0 (0) 0.74 18 – 20 1(1.69) 1 (0.63) 4 (3.17) 21 – 29 17 (28.81) 43 (26.88) 33 (26.19) 30 – 39 15 (25.42) 50 (31.25) 43 (34.13) 40 – 49 13 (22.42) 31 (19.38) 24 (19.0) 50 – 59 8 (13.56) 23 (14.37) 18 (14.29) 60 or older 5 (8.47) 10 (6.25) 4 (3.17) Female 40 (66.67) 124 (77.50) 104 (82.54) 0.049* Male 20 (33.33) 36 (22.5) 22 (17.46) Education Less than high school degree 2 (3.33) 1 (0.63) 0 (0) 0.04* High school degree 9 (15) 8 (5) 7 (5.56) Some college but no degree 6 (10) 21 (13.13) 11 (8.73) Bachelor's degree 36 (60) 97 (60.62) 80 (63.49) Graduate degree 7 (11.67) 33 (20.63) 28 (22.22) Residence Central 45 (75) 100 (62.5) 96 (76.19) 0.19 Northern 5 (8.33) 12 (7.5) 6 (4.76) Southern 2 (3.33) 8 (5) 1 (0.79) Eastern 1 (1.67) 6 (3.75) 5 (3.97) Western 7 (11.67) 34 (21.25) 18 (14.29) Footnote: p-value .05*, = chi-square Table (3): Platform used for searching for oral health information related to level of awareness. Application, n (%) level of awareness p -value Low awareness Moderate awareness High awareness Snapchat 0 (0) 4 (3.74) 0 (0) 0.069 YouTube 6 (20) 26 (24.3) 19 (19.19) Twitter 2 (6.67) 10 (9.35) 10 (10.1) TikTok 2 (6.67) 0 (0) 0 (0) Instagram 2 (6.67) 10 (9.35) 9 (9.09) Google 18 (60) 51 (47.66) 56 (56.57) Facebook 0 (0) 2 (1.87) 2 (2.02) Others 0 (0) 4 (3.74) 3 (3.03) Footnote: p-value .05*, = chi-square. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files surveySocialMediaandOralHygieneAwarenessinSaudiArabia.docx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 24 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 10 Feb, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 03 Feb, 2026 Reviews received at journal 12 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 06 Aug, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 04 Aug, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 24 Jul, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 23 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 23 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7055199","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":495828968,"identity":"8524202d-3eea-4533-a2e9-3d26de988ccf","order_by":0,"name":"Dr. Talal Dimachki","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"King Faisal Specialist Hospital \u0026 Research Centre","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"Dr.","firstName":"Talal","middleName":"","lastName":"Dimachki","suffix":""},{"id":495828969,"identity":"32b7f8b2-109f-46e5-81fe-8efb3830ac5d","order_by":1,"name":"Dr. Sarah Alhalees","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"King Faisal Specialist 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00:08:08","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7055199/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7055199/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":88503281,"identity":"ac204aee-e1ec-4923-95ea-64cb753af63e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 07:03:36","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":31437,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eLevel of awareness towards social media engagement region exhibited high awareness.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7055199/v1/a5fb309a5df4dc4ff5c31116.png"},{"id":88503282,"identity":"ffef17f4-2145-4ded-9ea2-6f56aba7d634","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 07:03:36","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":52195,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBar chart showing sources of searching for dental information.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7055199/v1/7045b83b2164bc32aa41bf34.png"},{"id":88503294,"identity":"6f4b672a-eaac-4181-b420-ff1f3b2ba366","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 07:03:41","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":51043,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBar chart showing factors that contributed to trust.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7055199/v1/c32db50a1f9d24171f7f390a.png"},{"id":88503285,"identity":"cdafb73e-1915-429c-abe6-622c9feb0d91","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 07:03:37","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":23000,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBar chart showing social media platforms used by participants (Order from 1: most common to 9: least common).\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7055199/v1/1d3081fbf40aed277b74f42a.png"},{"id":88506051,"identity":"3fc25abb-70b8-4076-b49f-ab5355027f5b","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 07:30:01","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":675366,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7055199/v1/2dc22bd3-4066-4cfd-a2ed-f5507d081128.pdf"},{"id":88503291,"identity":"252e7a5b-0135-43ca-93c7-6d4d70f84f56","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-08-07 07:03:37","extension":"docx","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":20144,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"surveySocialMediaandOralHygieneAwarenessinSaudiArabia.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7055199/v1/73cf1c2275971b28fa2f0610.docx"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Social Media and Oral Hygiene Awareness in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe influence of social media has been increasingly significant and impossible to ignore. Social media encompasses Internet-based tools that enable the sharing of information, ideas, personal messages, and images\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In 2024, statistics from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) revealed that 94.30% of the population were active users of social media with an average usage time of approximately 3 h per day\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial media functions as a platform for social support and fosters a sense of connectedness among users\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. It has gained popularity in the KSA not only for entertainment and communication but also for professional education and marketing. Additionally, social media has emerged as a preferred method for health promotion, which is supported by increased evidence of its effectiveness in reaching diverse audiences\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSeveral studies have investigated the prevalence and impact of social media use among Saudi and Arab populations. For instance, Bahkali et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e reported that 84.9% of Arabic-speaking participants sought health information online. In another study\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e6\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e, the same group of authors found that the Saudi population actively utilizes the Internet and social media to obtain information on medications. Alhaddad\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e7\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e conducted a cross-sectional study on 750 participants and revealed that one-third of the respondents searched for or received medical information on social media on a daily or weekly basis. The study highlighted that physicians are generally considered the preferred source of health information. However, it also indicated that Internet sources significantly influence medication knowledge as many of the participants tended to search online for health information prior to a doctor\u0026rsquo;s visit or to support the need for a second opinion.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGiven the pivotal role of social media in health promotion, a pressing need exists to ensure the accuracy and reliability of health-related information shared on various platforms. For example, Baber et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e conducted a systematic review to identify the prevalence of health misinformation on social media and revealed widespread inaccuracy on critical public health issues, particularly on Twitter. Notably, topics related to smoking products and drugs were particularly susceptible to misinformation.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eResearch also indicates that online platforms present an opportunity for dental health professionals to enhance public health education\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. A survey found that 58% of respondents consulted social media when faced with dental issues, and 68.6% reported finding the information that they sought\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Althunayan et al.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e assessed the role of social media in dental health promotion and behavior change in the context of Qassim, KSA. Approximately 80% of participants cited accessibility and ease of information collection as key reasons for social media use. However, 50.3% identified difficulty in communication with experts as a primary barrier to their consideration of social media as a reliable source. Despite this result, the respondents preferred social media when accessing oral health information due to its convenience, although challenges in communication with experts remained a significant obstacle\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe current study aims to assess the relationship between social media engagement and oral hygiene awareness in the KSA and to identify the most frequently used social media platforms by individuals seeking oral health information. The study hopes that the findings could serve as reference for the Ministry of Health and other healthcare institutions with the necessary insights in effectively utilizing social media platforms to promote oral hygiene awareness and disseminate accurate information.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStudy Design\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study employed a cross-sectional design and used an anonymous, self-administered, and validated questionnaire for data collection. The survey was conducted based on previously validated questionnaires, which ensure reliability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eParticipants\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study recruited individuals aged 18 years and older residing in the KSA who are capable of accessing the online survey. They were contacted via electronic methods, including emails, social media platforms, and in-person solicitation at the dental clinic at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital \u0026amp; Research Centre (KFSHRC).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSurvey Structure\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe survey was organized into three distinct sections:\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eDemographic data: the participants provided information on age, gender, level of education, and employment status.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial media engagement: This section assessed participants\u0026rsquo; engagement with social media, including the platforms frequently accessed, primary reasons for using social media, and amount of time spent on these platforms per day.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e,\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cp\u003e Oral hygiene awareness: the participants were queried about oral health practices, including frequency of dental and medical visits, brushing habits, and professional scaling. Additional questions gauged their general knowledge related to dental health.\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e,\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e,\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePilot Study\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePrior to its full-scale distribution, the questionnaire was translated into Arabic to ensure accessibility and cultural relevance. A pilot study was then conducted on a small sample size to evaluate the reliability and validity of the items. Feedback from this pilot phase was used to further refine the survey.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eData Collection\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAfter the pilot study, the finalized survey was electronically distributed through multiple channels, including emails, social media networks, and directly within the dental clinic at the KFSHRC. The participants were instructed to complete the questionnaire anonymously to ensure confidentiality. Data collection was managed using REDCap databases to ensure organized and secure data management.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eStatistical Analyses\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eStatistical analyses were conducted using STATA version 17. The authors computed for frequency tables and percentages to summarize the data. Associations between variables were assessed using chi-square tests with significance set at \u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u0026thinsp;0.05. For scoring, responses that indicated awareness were assigned 1 point, while responses that indicate a lack of awareness were given a score of 0, which resulted in total scores ranging from 0 to 11 across all items. Based on the tertile distribution of these scores, the participants were categorized under three levels of awareness, namely, low (0 to \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;7 points), moderate (7 to \u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;9 points), and high (9 points or more). This classification provided a structured method for analyzing the level of oral hygiene awareness among the participants, which enabled a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between social media engagement and dental health knowledge.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study recruited a total of 346 participants. The majority were aged between 30 and 39 years (31.30%) followed by between 21 and 29 years (26.96%). Women comprised 77.76% of the total sample. In terms of education, the majority completed a bachelor\u0026rsquo;s degree (61.56%), while a small proportion achieved less than a high school degree (0.87%). The majority resided in the central region (69.65%) with lesser representation from the western (17.05%), northern (6.65%), eastern (3.47%), and southern (3.18%) regions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The results demonstrate that nearly half of the participants (46.11%) exhibited moderate levels of awareness of oral hygiene, while 36.31% exhibited high levels of awareness. In contrast, 17.58% had low levels of awareness (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnalysis of sociodemographic factors in relation to level of awareness reveals that age was nonsignificant associated with awareness levels (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.74). However, gender displayed a significant association with awareness levels (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.049), with a higher percentage of women (82.54%) demonstrating higher levels of awareness compared with those of men (17.46%). Level of education was significantly associated with awareness (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.04); individuals with higher levels of education, particularly those with a bachelor\u0026rsquo;s or graduate degree, were more likely to possess high levels of awareness, while those with less than a high school degree was predominantly under the low-awareness category. Residence did not point to a significant association with awareness levels (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.19), although a majority of participants from the central region exhibited high levels of awareness.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e Analysis of the platforms used for searching oral health information indicates that Google is the most commonly used platform across levels of awareness with 60%, 47.66%, and 56.57% of participants with low, moderate, and high levels of awareness, respectively, relying on it. YouTube is also frequently used, particularly by those with moderate levels of awareness (24.3%). Other platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat exhibit lower rates of usage across all levels of awareness with Snapchat and TikTok being notably absent among those with high levels of awareness. No statistically significant differences exist regarding platform usage and awareness levels (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.069).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results revealed that 172 respondents primarily relied on dentists\u0026rsquo; social media accounts for dental health information. International organizations, such as the Saudi Dental Society, were sources for 164 participants. A total of 109 respondents consulted the Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, only 98 individuals referred to influencers or celebrities for information.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results demonstrated that 215 respondents considered qualifications as the most important trust factor when seeking dental information. In total, 159 individuals considered photos of treated cases significant, while 153 relied on medical websites or forums. Positive reviews influenced 130 respondents, while the number of followers was the least trusted factor with only 42 individuals considering it important (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results indicated that WhatsApp was the most commonly used social media platform closely followed by Snapchat and Instagram. YouTube is also frequently used. In contrast, platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and the least used app was LinkedIn.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe growth of Internet access is largely driven by the increased availability of mobile devices and decreased cost of Internet services. In the KSA, the popularity of social media and technology has surged, particularly among the young population. In 2024, Internet penetration in the KSA was reported at 99%, with more than 35\u0026nbsp;million active social media accounts, which represents 94.3% of the population\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The current study revealed that nearly half of the participants (46.11%) demonstrated moderate levels of oral hygiene awareness, while 36.31% and 17.58% exhibited high and low levels of awareness, respectively. Similarly, a recent cross-sectional study in Jordan\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e reported that participants exhibited moderate levels of knowledge about periodontitis. Additionally, oral hygiene practices were relatively modest. Another study in India indicated that approximately 97.9% of participants demonstrated good oral knowledge, 33.3% displayed positive attitudes, and 48.2% exhibited adequate oral health behavior\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The current study found that women had higher levels of oral hygiene awareness compared with men. The observed gender disparity in awareness is consistent with the results of the existing literature that suggest that women generally exhibit greater engagement with health information\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This difference may be attributed to the tendency of women to generally place much emphasis on health, which likely contributes to their greater acquisition of knowledge and more proactive attitudes toward oral health compared with men\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLevel of education was significantly linked to awareness (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.04), with those holding higher degrees displaying greater awareness. The significant association between higher levels of education and higher levels of health awareness aligns with the findings of previous studies\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Residence did not significantly influence levels of oral hygiene awareness (\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.19), although a higher proportion of participants from the central region displayed high levels of awareness. Almozainy (2017) reported that 48% of respondents from rural areas selected dentists through social media compared with only 31% of those living in major cities. This difference may be due to several factors. In urban areas, people typically rely on recommendations from friends or the community, referrals, convenience of location, or established trust in local dental offices. In contrast, rural areas typically lack specialized dental clinics, which prompts residents to search online for the best dentists when planning visits to cities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e In terms of searching for oral health information, the current study found that Google was the most commonly used platform across levels of awareness. Participants with low (60%), moderate (47.66%), and high (56.57%) levels of awareness primarily used Google. Notably, individuals with moderate levels of awareness (24.3%) used YouTube. Other platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat were less frequently used with Snapchat and TikTok being notably absent among those with high levels of awareness. This finding aligns with that by Bachl et al. \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. who identified search engines as a primary resource for health-related inquiries\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. Similarly, the widespread use of YouTube supports the scoping review by Curran et al (2020), who reported that video content was increasingly important for health education. However, other studies mentioned recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness and quality of YouTube videos as educational tools\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor sources of dental health information, 32.6% of the respondents mainly relied on the social media accounts of dentists, while 31.1% consulted international organizations such as the Saudi Dental Society. The Ministry of Health was a source for 20.7% of participants, and 18.6% of the respondent's consulted influencers or celebrities. Similarly, Almozainy et al. \u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. reported that 48.4% of respondents believed that specialized dental websites are the most effective sources of dental information. This notion indicates that while social media is a valuable tool, it is not the sole source of information. Professional dental websites are viewed as more trustworthy and enduring, given the rapidly changing landscape of social media platforms\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. This perspective is in contrast with that of a previous study in North America, which proposed that social media may eventually surpass traditional websites in terms of the effectiveness of marketing\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. However, the current results imply that professional websites remain critical and reliable resources for dental information.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the participants were asked about their trust factors for dental information, 40.7% prioritized qualifications, while 30.1% valued photos of treated cases. Medical websites or forums were significant for 29.0%, while positive reviews influenced 24.6%. The number of followers was the least important factor with only 8.0% considering it a key indicator of trust. Similarly, Almozainy demonstrated that the most important factor was dentists\u0026rsquo; qualifications followed by before-and-after photos of treated cases and positive comments or recommendations from other followers. These findings reflected the public\u0026rsquo;s awareness of the importance of professional qualifications over commercial accounts, which could manipulate the number of followers to create a false impression of popularity\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn terms of usage, WhatsApp was the most commonly used application followed by Snapchat and Instagram. In contrast, platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn were less frequently used. Althunayan et al. (2018) reported that the most used applications for reasons related to oral health were Twitter (53.8%), Instagram (40.9%), and YouTube (36.7%) among the population of Qassim province\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. The prevalent use of WhatsApp for dental health information indicates a shift toward more personal and accessible forms of digital communication. This change also highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider integrating platforms such as WhatsApp into communication strategies to enhance outreach and engagement. In contrast, Almaiman et al (2016) illustrated that 1.1% of participants reported no preference for using specific social media platforms\u003csup\u003e\u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. In summary, these findings underscored the increasing role of social media in accessing dental information with significant preferences for platforms such as Google and WhatsApp. They also highlight the importance of professional qualifications and credible sources over followers in the development of trust in dental health information.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"BlockQuote\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSocial media is transforming the healthcare landscape by providing platforms for both patients and healthcare professionals on which to share and access information. These networks are significantly expanding the reach of health information, which renders it more accessible to diverse populations. While further research is necessary to fully elucidate the potential benefits and outcomes of using social media in dental education, its rapid growth presents promising opportunities for enhancing dental knowledge and awareness.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eKSA\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKingdom of Saudi Arabia\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003eKFSH\u0026amp;RC\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eKing Faisal specialist hospital and research center\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical consideration:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthics approval for this study was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee and Research Advisory Council (RAC) at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and research center, under approval number 2255051. The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained electronically from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study. The purpose of the study, data confidentiality, and the voluntary nature of participation were explained at the beginning of the online questionnaire. Participants indicated their consent by proceeding to complete the questionnaire\u003cstrong\u003e.\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVerbal informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection. The purpose of the study was clearly explained, and participation was entirely voluntary. All personal information was kept confidential and handled in accordance with ethical standards to ensure the privacy and anonymity of participants. The survey is anonymous. Participants will not be asked to provide any ID numbers or names.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding:\u003c/strong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026apos; contributions:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDr. Talal Dimachki was responsible for the study design and drafting of the initial manuscript. Dr. Sarah Al Halees, literature review, and critically revised the manuscript for intellectual content, data collection. Dr.Nomahn Humayun was responsible for the study conception, literature review writing, and the implementation of the survey. Norah Alnassar conducted the statistical analysis, and contributed to the results section, contributed to the interpretation of data. All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVentola CL. Social media and health care professionals: Benefits, risks, and best practices. Pharm Ther. 2014;39(7):491\u0026ndash;520.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaudi Arabia Social Media Statistics 2024. (2024) Retrieved from: \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.globalmediainsight.com/blog/saudi-arabia-social-media-statistics/\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.globalmediainsight.com/blog/saudi-arabia-social-media-statistics/\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKorda H, Itani Z. Harnessing social media for health promotion and behavior change. Health Promot Pract. 2013;14(1):15\u0026ndash;23.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBahabri RH, Zaidan AB. The impact of social media on dental practice promotion and professionalism amongst general dental practitioners and specialists in KSA. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2021;16(3):456\u0026ndash;60.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBahkali S, Alfurih S, Aldremly M, Alzayyat M, Alsurimi K, Househ M. The prevalence of internet and social media based medication information seeking behavior in Saudi Arabia Studies. Health Technol Inf. 2016;226:275\u0026ndash;8.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBahkali S, Almaiman R, El-Awad M, Almohanna H, Al-Surimi K, Househ M. Exploring the impact of information seeking behaviors of online health consumers in the Arab World Unifying the Applications and Foundations of. Biomedical Health. 2016;226:279\u0026ndash;82.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlhaddad MS. The use of social media among Saudi residents for medicines related information. Saudi Pharm J. 2018;26(8):1106\u0026ndash;11.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBarber SK, Lam Y, Hodge TM, Pavitt S. Is social media the way to empower patients to share their experiences of dental care? J Am Dent Association. 2018;149(6):451\u0026ndash;9.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlmaiman S, Bahkali S, Alabdulatif N, Bahkaly A, Al-Surimi K, Househ M. Promoting oral health using social media platforms: Seeking Arabic online oral health related information (OHRI). Stud Health Technol Inform. 2016;226:283\u0026ndash;6.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlmozainy M. Assessing the use of social media as a source of information related to dentistry in Saudi Arabia. J Dent Health Oral Disorders Therapy. 2017;8(7):10\u0026ndash;15406.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthunayan A, Alsalhi R, Elmoazen R. Role of social media in dental health promotion and behavior change in Qassim province. Saudi Arabia Int J Med Health Res. 2018;4(2):98\u0026ndash;103.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNaser MY, Momani M, Naser AY, Alarabeyat MA, Altarawneh AMB, Aladwan AS. Oral health profile and periodontal diseases awareness and knowledge among the jordanian population: A cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health. 2023;23(1):503.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSelvaraj S, Naing NN, Wan-Arfah N, de Abreu MHNG. (2021) Assessment on oral health knowledge, attitude, and behaviour and its association with sociodemographic and habitual factors of South Indian population Pesquisa Brasileira em Odontopediatria e Cl\u0026iacute;nica Integrada 21 e0135.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRajeh MT. Gender differences in oral health knowledge and practices among adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Clinical. Cosmet Invest Dentistry. 2022;14:235\u0026ndash;44.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eZumbo G, Costacurta M, Zara F, Pranno N, Ceravolo M, Covello F, Saccucci M, Vozza I. Diet implications and oral health status of women in central Italy European. J Dent. 2022;16(3):557\u0026ndash;63.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBachl M, Link E, Mangold F, Stier S. Search engine use for health-related purposes: Behavioral data on online health information-seeking in. Ger Health Communication. 2024;39(8):1651\u0026ndash;64.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCurran V, Simmons K, Matthews L, Fleet L, Gustafson DL, Fairbridge NA, Xu X. YouTube as an educational resource in medical education: A scoping review. Med Sci Educ. 2020;30(4):1775\u0026ndash;82.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWheeler CK, Said H, Prucz R, Rodrich RJ, Mathes DW. Social media in plastic surgery practices: Emerging trends in North America. Aesthetic Surg J. 2011;31(4):435\u0026ndash;41.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlduraywish SA, Altamimi LA, Aldhuwayhi RA, AlZamil LR, Alzeghayer LY, Alsaleh FS, Aldakheel FM, Tharkar S. Sources of Health Information and Their Impacts on Medical Knowledge Perception Among the Saudi Arabian Population: Cross-Sectional Study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(3):e14414.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlanzi T, Al-Habib DK. The Use of Social Media by Healthcare Quality Personnel in Saudi Arabia. J Environ Public Health. 2020;2020:1417478. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.1155/2020/1417478\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1155/2020/1417478\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e. PMID: 32565836; PMCID: PMC7262735.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDel Ru\u0026iacute;z-L\u0026oacute;pez G, Blaya-Nov\u0026aacute;kov\u0026aacute; V, Saz-Parkinson Z, \u0026Aacute;lvarez-Montero \u0026Oacute;L, Ayala A, Mu\u0026ntilde;oz-Moreno MF, Forjaz MJ. Design and validation of an oral health questionnaire for preoperative anaesthetic evaluation. Braz J Anesthesiol. 2017 Jan-Feb;67(1):6\u0026ndash;14.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGupta S, Jain A, Mohan S, Bhaskar N, Walia PK. Comparative Evaluation of Oral Health Knowledge, Practices and Attitude of Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women, and Their Awareness Regarding Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015;9(11):ZC26\u0026ndash;32. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003e10.7860/JCDR/2015/13819.6756\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.7860/JCDR/2015/13819.6756\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e. Epub 2015 Nov 1. PMID: 26674176; PMCID: PMC4668518.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"},{"header":"Tables","content":"\u003cp\u003eTable (1): Sociodemographic characteristics of included participants.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eVariables\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eGroup\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e(N)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e(%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e17 or younger\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0.58\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e18 \u0026ndash; 20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e1.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e21 \u0026ndash; 29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e93\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e26.96\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e30 \u0026ndash; 39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e108\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e31.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e40 \u0026ndash; 49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e19.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e50 \u0026ndash; 59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e14.20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e60 or older\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e5.51\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e268\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e77.76\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e22.54\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eEducation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eLess than high school degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0.87\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eHigh school degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e24\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e6.94\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eSome college but no degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e38\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e10.98\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eBachelor\u0026apos;s degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e213\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e61.56\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eGraduate degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e19.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eResidence\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eCentral\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e241\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e69.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eNorthern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e23\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e6.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eSouthern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e3.18\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eEastern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e12\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e3.47\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eWestern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 156px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e17.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable (2): Sociodemographics related to level of awareness.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"left\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eSociodemographic\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 52px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eLevel of awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eLow awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eModerate awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eHigh awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eAge, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e17 or younger\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (1.25)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"7\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e18 \u0026ndash; 20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e1(1.69)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e1 (0.63)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e4 (3.17)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e21 \u0026ndash; 29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e17 (28.81)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e43 (26.88)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e33 (26.19)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e30 \u0026ndash; 39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e15 (25.42)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e50 (31.25)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e43 (34.13)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e40 \u0026ndash; 49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e13 (22.42)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e31 (19.38)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e24 (19.0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e50 \u0026ndash; 59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e8 (13.56)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e23 (14.37)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e18 (14.29)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e60 or older\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e5 (8.47)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e10 (6.25)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e4 (3.17)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e40 (66.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e124 (77.50)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e104 (82.54)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0.049*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e20 (33.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e36 (22.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e22 (17.46)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eEducation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eLess than high school degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (3.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e1 (0.63)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0.04*\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eHigh school degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e9 (15)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e8 (5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e7 (5.56)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eSome college but no degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e6 (10)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e21 (13.13)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e11 (8.73)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eBachelor\u0026apos;s degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e36 (60)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e97 (60.62)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e80 (63.49)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eGraduate degree\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e7 (11.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e33 (20.63)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e28 (22.22)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 100px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eResidence\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eCentral\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e45 (75)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e100 (62.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e96 (76.19)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0.19\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eNorthern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e5 (8.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e12 (7.5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e6 (4.76)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eSouthern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (3.33)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e8 (5)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e1 (0.79)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eEastern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e1 (1.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e6 (3.75)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e5 (3.97)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 33px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eWestern\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e7 (11.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e34 (21.25)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e18 (14.29)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eFootnote: p-value\u0026nbsp;\u003cimg width=\"30\" height=\"24\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e.05*,\u0026nbsp;\u003cimg width=\"19\" height=\"24\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e= chi-square\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eTable (3): Platform used for searching for oral health information related to level of awareness.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\" class=\"fr-table-selection-hover\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eApplication, n (%)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 61px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003elevel of awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ep\u003c/em\u003e-value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eLow awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eModerate awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eHigh awareness\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eSnapchat\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e4 (3.74)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"8\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u003cspan dir=\"RTL\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0.069\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eYouTube\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e6 (20)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e26 (24.3)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e19 (19.19)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eTwitter\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (6.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e10 (9.35)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e10 (10.1)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eTikTok\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (6.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eInstagram\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (6.67)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e10 (9.35)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e9 (9.09)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eGoogle\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e18 (60)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e51 (47.66)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e56 (56.57)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eFacebook\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (1.87)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e2 (2.02)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e0 (0)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e4 (3.74)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 20px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003e3 (3.03)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"LTR\"\u003eFootnote: p-value \u003cimg width=\"30\" height=\"24\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e.05*, \u003cimg width=\"19\" height=\"24\" src=\"data:image/png;base64,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\" alt=\"image\"\u003e= chi-square.\u003c/p\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-oral-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ohea","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Oral Health](http://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/ohea/default.aspx","title":"BMC Oral Health","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"social media, oral hygiene awareness, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, dental health education","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7055199/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7055199/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eSocial media usage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is widespread, with 94.30% of the population engaged in 2024, averaging 3 hours per day. This study investigated the relationship between social media engagement and oral hygiene awareness in the KSA and identified commonly used platforms for dental health information. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous, validated questionnaire distributed electronically at a governmental hospital. The survey included demographic data, social media engagement, and oral hygiene awareness. Data were analyzed using STATA, applying chi-square tests and scoring awareness levels. Of 346 participants, 46.11%, 36.31%, and 17.58% exhibited moderate, high, and low oral hygiene awareness, respectively. Women displayed higher awareness than men (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.049). Higher education levels correlated with increased awareness (p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.04). Google and YouTube were the most used platforms, while Snapchat and TikTok were less used among those with high awareness. Participants primarily trusted information from dentists and official organizations, with qualifications being the most important trust factor. Social media significantly contributes to oral health information dissemination, and most participants demonstrated moderate to high awareness levels, with Google and YouTube as the preferred platforms.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Social Media and Oral Hygiene Awareness in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-08-07 07:03:32","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7055199/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-02-24T10:15:48+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-02-10T06:22:09+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"321606701699917706955172738813982318936","date":"2026-02-03T09:13:33+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-12T12:42:40+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"332077849469146306741990806457105383219","date":"2025-08-07T03:53:39+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-04T14:14:33+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2025-07-24T06:44:06+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-07-23T18:15:31+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"BMC Oral Health","date":"2025-07-23T18:12:28+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"bmc-oral-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ohea","sideBox":"Learn more about [BMC Oral Health](http://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"https://www.editorialmanager.com/ohea/default.aspx","title":"BMC Oral Health","twitterHandle":"BMC_series","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"78a50ee4-c983-4121-8b14-c1a0f08cf83a","owner":[],"postedDate":"August 7th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-15T18:08:36+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-08-07 07:03:32","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7055199","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7055199","identity":"rs-7055199","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}