Background: Dry socket/alveolar osteitis (AO) is one of the most common and unpleasant postoperative complications following extraction of permanent teeth. The present study was undertaken for assessing the incidence and risk factors of dry socket following tooth extraction. Materials and methods: Two hundred patients were included in this study which was carried out in one month duration. A relevant questionnaire was prepared to assess information like age and sex of patient, site of tooth extraction, any systemic illness, history of smoking, oral hygiene status, tooth extraction technique (surgical or non-surgical). All the results were recorded in Microsoft excel sheet and were analysed. Results: It was observed that only 6 patients reported with dry socket. The mean age group with dry socket was 34.87±16.42 years and without dry socket 45.65±18.52 years. Percentage of dry socket cases was higher in surgical extraction cases. Smoking as a factor increased the chance of dry socket however it did not show a significant statistical difference. Patients with systemic diseases showed significant difference in the occurrence of dry socket. Conclusion: The incidence of dry socket was found to be more in the presence of predisposing factors like middle age, sex predilection, smoking and the level of difficulty during extraction. Key words: Dry socket, Alveolar osteitis