Abstract
Objective: to identify knowledge and practices in oral health carried out by family caregivers of the elderly. Method: a cross-sectional study with 44 elderly caregivers who were in a university hospital in the Federal District. The data collection was an individual interview with the caregivers to identify sociodemographic profile, information about knowledge about oral hygiene and the perception of oral health of the elderly care. Results: Most caregivers were daughters of the elderly, with no specific training for care. About 88% of the elderly used dental prostheses and 15% needed full oral hygiene assistance. In 52% of cases, dental prostheses were sanitized once a day. Conclusions: the majority of the elderly presented a need for help for oral hygiene; but not all family caregivers provided it adequately. Informal caregivers prevailed without preparation or qualified guidance to provide basic care of oral hygiene to the elderly.