Background: Dental caries occur due to the acids produced by decay-causing bacteria. Lifestyle plays a vital role in oral hygiene.Lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, consumption of tobacco in any forms like chewing or smoking impacts oral parts and it induces dental caries among the people who use it. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of lifestyle impact on dental caries among the outpatients visiting a dental college in Chennai. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study comprising structured questions was conducted among 122 outpatients. A self structured questionnaire was prepared and uploaded on google form. Pre-tested questionnaire was circulated among the study population, data was collected and analysed with chi square analysis, using spss. Results: Out of 122 study participants, 52.89% do physical activities occasionally, 63.64% replied that they do not consume alcohol, 71.90% do not consume tobacco in any form. Graduate study participants were more aware of the effect of lifestyle factors on dental caries when compared to others. ( p value - 0.445) Participants in the age group of 18-35 yrs were more aware when compared to others. ( p value - 0.567) Male study participants were more aware when compared to the female study participants (44.26% vs 34.43%)( p value - 0.828) Conclusion: More than half of the study participants did not consume tobacco and alcohol. Awareness of the effect of lifestyle factors on dental caries was more among participants in the age group of 18-35yrs, graduates, and among male study participants.

dental caries, lifestyle, tobacco use, innovative analysis