YouTube as a source for parents' education on early childhood caries

YouTube as a source of information for parents about silver diamine fluoride

PURPOSE

To depict and evaluate the characteristics, engagement, content, and quality of YouTube videos containing information about silver diamine fluoride (SDF).

METHODS

A total of 200 YouTube™ videos were selected and screened, and the video characteristics and engagement indicators were recorded. They were then reviewed for consistency with current professional guidelines on this topic. Two independent reviewers scored the videos using a customized 8-point scoring and 5-point Global Quality Scale (GQS) to assess the content information and the overall quality of each video. These videos were further classified into good, moderate, and poor videos. Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-squared, and Spearman's correlation tests were used for the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

110 videos met the inclusion criteria. The median total content score was 3 (IQR = 4) and the median GQS score was 2 (IQR = 2). Less than half (n = 49; 45.5%) of the videos were uploaded by healthcare professionals. The video content was classified as good (n = 26; 23.64%), moderate (n = 43; 39.09%), and poor (n = 41; 37.27%). Good-quality videos have a significantly higher information content score than the other groups (P = 0.001). A strong correlation was found between the total content score and GQS score (rho = 0.970, P = 0.001). Longer duration, higher interaction index, and recent upload are associated with higher content and quality scores.

CONCLUSION

A considerable number of videos are available on YouTube about SDF treatment and are attracting public interest. The content and quality of these videos vary widely and are related to several factors.

Online information about oral health in autism spectrum disorder: Is it good enough?

INTRODUCTION

The use of the internet has surged significantly over the years. Patients and caregivers of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might consult the internet for oral health-related information. Hence, this study aimed to assess the quality and readability of online information available in the English language regarding oral health in ASD.

METHODS

Online search using Google.com was conducted using the terms "Autism and dental care," "Autism and oral health," and "Autism and dentistry". The first 100 websites for each term were screened. Quality of information was assessed using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool for printed material (PEMAT-P) and the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks. A PEMAT score higher than 70% is considered acceptable for readability and actionability. The JAMA benchmarks are authorship, attribution, disclosure, and currency. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch reading ease score and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) readability formula.

RESULTS

Out of the 300 screened websites, 66 were eventually included. The mean PEMAT understandability and actionability scores were 77.13%, and 42.12%, respectively. Only 12.1% of the websites displayed all four JAMA benchmarks. The mean Flesch score was 10th-12th grade level, and the mean SMOG score was 10th grade level.

CONCLUSION

While the understandability of the information was acceptable, the readability and actionability were too challenging for lay people. Health care professionals and organizations involved in patient education should place more efforts in promoting the quality of online information targeting patients with ASD.

Enhancing pediatric stoma care: Analyzing YouTube videos for pediatric stoma pouch changing techniques

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality, content, and reliability of YouTube videos that address ostomy bag change techniques in children. As digital platforms are increasingly used for health-related information, especially for those caring for pediatric ostomy patients, this study aims to identify the strengths and limitations of available online resources.

DESIGN

A descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional research design was used to evaluate YouTube videos focused on pediatric ostomy bag change techniques.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The study included a total of 33 YouTube videos identified through searches conducted between May 3 and May 30, 2024. Videos included infants, children, and adolescents and were selected based on their relevance to pediatric double pouch ostomy care.

METHODS

Videos were scored using the modified DISCERN score and the Global Quality Scale (GQS) to assess video quality and reliability. A checklist based on established ostomy care guidelines was used for content analysis and identification of common procedural errors. The view rates, video/likes ratio, and popularity of the videos were calculated as the video power index. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27 and statistical significance was determined with a p-value of less than 0.05.

RESULTS

The analysis showed that 54.5 % of the videos were uploaded by independent publishers and 45.5 % by healthcare institutions. Videos aimed at caregivers were the most common (66.7 %). The mean number of views was 24,026.57, with a mean modified DISCERN score of 2.53 and a GQS score of 2.80. There was also a positive correlation between video length and quality scores. Significant differences in video quality were found between those published by healthcare organizations and independent publishers, with healthcare organization videos generally scoring higher. The most common errors in the videos included inadequate stoma coverage and improper disposal procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

The study shows that there is significant variability in the quality and reliability of YouTube videos on how to change an ostomy pouch in children. Compared to videos produced by independent publishers, videos produced by healthcare institutions had higher quality and reliability. The findings underscore the need for improved educational resources and quality control in digital platforms in order to better support the caregivers of pediatric ostomy patients.

Is the quality of the orthodontic information in social media platforms reliable?: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Social networks have become a widely used and accessible source of health-related information for patients, but this material is not always accurate or appropriate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of orthodontic information available on 2 of the most popular social media platforms.

STUDIES REVIEWED

The authors conducted a systematic search of the literature that analyzed the quality of information regarding orthodontics on social networks and used recognized quality-evaluation methods, such as DISCERN, modified DISCERN, and the Quality Global Scale or the Video Information Quality Index, in the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and Scopus and through a manual search of gray literature.

RESULTS

The authors identified a total of 534 potentially eligible articles, of which 22 eventually were included in the qualitative analysis. The application of the scales revealed that most of the content was of insufficient quality and lacked scientific rigor, precision, and support from reliable sources. The authors observed marked heterogeneity in the nature of the publications analyzed, with the most recurrent topics being general orthodontic treatment and the use of clear aligners.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Social media platforms provide low-quality information to patients, which potentially can be harmful. These findings underscore the need to offer alternative ways to resolve patient queries before and during treatment and highlight the importance of promoting informed and responsible education regarding online information on orthodontic treatments.

Evaluation of the usefulness and quality of YouTube™ videos about children's electric toothbrushes

OBJECTIVES

The effectiveness of mechanical tooth cleaning, which plays a crucial role in biofilm control, depends on the type of brush and technique. Parents can refer to websites such as YouTube™ for guidance on the selection and use of electric toothbrushes. The objective of this study was to examine the usefulness, quality and accuracy of the information on YouTube™ videos about electric toothbrushes for children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search was performed on YouTube™ for English language videos using the terms 'electric toothbrush for kids' and 'kids' electric toothbrush'. From the first 100 results, 64 videos were selected for further analysis. The videos were analysed for views, likes/dislikes, number of comments, upload source, duration and time since video upload. The usefulness and the quality of the selected videos were also measured.

RESULTS

The majority of the videos mentioned toothbrush design (71.9%, n = 46) and toothbrush heads (62.5%, n = 40). The videos were generally determined to be moderately useful (46.9%), whereas very useful videos were found less frequently (12.5%). Slightly useful videos were mostly uploaded by laypeople. Very useful videos had significantly higher video durations than moderately and slightly useful videos (p = 0.029 and p = 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube™ can be an important source of information for parents to learn about electric toothbrushes for their children. However, watching videos based on upload source and length of time may provide more accurate information on this topic. Also, dental healthcare professionals could be included more often to improve the usefulness and quality of the videos.

YouTube as an information source for bleeding gums: A quantitative and qualitative analysis

Gum bleeding is a common dental problem, and numerous patients seek health-related information on this topic online. The YouTube website is a popular resource for people searching for medical information. To our knowledge, no recent study has evaluated content related to bleeding gums on YouTube™. Therefore, this study aimed to conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of YouTube videos related to bleeding gums. A search was performed on YouTube using the keyword "bleeding gums" from Google Trends. Of the first 200 results, 107 videos met the inclusion criteria. The descriptive statistics for the videos included the time since upload, the video length, and the number of likes, views, comments, subscribers, and viewing rates. The global quality score (GQS), usefulness score, and DISCERN were used to evaluate the video quality. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman correlation analysis. The majority (n = 69, 64.48%) of the videos observed were uploaded by hospitals/clinics and dentists/specialists. The highest coverage was for symptoms (95.33%). Only 14.02% of the videos were classified as "good". The average video length of the videos rated as "good" was significantly longer than the other groups (p <0.05), and the average viewing rate of the videos rated as "poor" (63,943.68%) was substantially higher than the other groups (p <0.05). YouTube videos on bleeding gums were of moderate quality, but their content was incomplete and unreliable. Incorrect and inadequate content can significantly influence patients' attitudes and medical decisions. Effort needs to be expended by dental professionals, organizations, and the YouTube platform to ensure that YouTube can serve as a reliable source of information on bleeding gums.

YouTube as a source of information about rubber dam: quality and content analysis

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the content, quality and demographics of YouTube videos about rubber dam as an information source for clinicians and dental students.

Materials and Methods

"Rubber dam," "rubber dam application," "dental isolation," "rubber dam isolation," and "dental dam" were determined as keywords for the detection of YouTube videos related to rubber dam. Seventy 3 videos were evaluated and a total of 34 videos met the inclusion criteria. All selected videos were evaluated according to 8 parameters. The videos were scored 1 if the videos contained information about the selected parameter, but if the videos did not contain enough information, they were scored 0. The data were statistically analyzed with the analysis of variance and post hoc Tukey test (p < 0.05).

Results

We found that 41% of the videos have poor, 47% have moderate, and 12% have good information. There is a statistically significant difference in time between poor and good information content (p < 0.05). There is a statistically significant difference between the poor and good information in the video information and quality index 1.

Conclusions

Rubber dam-related videos available on YouTube are generally moderately informed and insufficient. YouTube is currently not sufficient as a source of information for patients and clinicians at the moment. The YouTube platform should be developed and enriched with quality information on current and dental issues.

Quality of Patient-Centered eHealth Information on Erosive Tooth Wear: Systematic Search and Evaluation of Websites and YouTube Videos

BACKGROUND

Due to the declining prevalence of dental caries, noncarious tooth defects such as erosive tooth wear have gained increased attention over the past decades. While patients more frequently search the internet for health-related information, the quality of patient-centered, web-based health information on erosive tooth wear is currently unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the quality of patient-centered, web-based health information (websites and YouTube videos) on erosive tooth wear.

METHODS

German-language websites were systematically identified through 3 electronic search engines (google.de, bing.de or yahoo.de, and duckduckgo.com) in September 2021. Eligible websites were independently assessed for (1) technical and functional aspects via the LIDA instrument, (2) readability via the Flesch reading-ease score, (3) comprehensiveness of information via a structured checklist, and (4) generic quality and risk of bias via the DISCERN instrument by 2 different reviewers. An overall quality score (ie, higher scores being favored) generated from all 4 domains was used as the primary outcome. Quality scores from each domain were separately analyzed as secondary outcomes and compared by the Friedman test. The effect of practice-specific variables on quality scores of websites from private dental offices was assessed using generalized linear modeling. Eligible YouTube videos were judged based on (1) the comprehensiveness of information, (2) viewers' interaction, and (3) viewing rate. The comprehensiveness of information was compared between websites and YouTube videos using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

RESULTS

Overall, 231 eligible websites and 7 YouTube videos were identified and assessed. The median overall quality of the websites was 33.6% (IQR 29.8%-39.2%). Secondary outcome scores amounted to 64.3% (IQR 59.8%-69.0%) for technical and functional aspects, 40.0% (IQR 34.0%-49.0%) for readability, 11.5% (IQR 3.9%-26.9%) for comprehensiveness of information, and 16.7% (IQR 8.3%-23.3%) for generic quality. While the comprehensiveness of information and generic quality received low scores, technical and functional aspects as well as readability resulted in higher scores (both Padjusted<.001). Regarding practice-specific variables, websites from private dental offices outside Germany (P=.04; B=-6.64, 95% CI -12.85 to -0.42) or from dentists who are a dental society member (P=.049; B=-3.55, 95% CI -7.09 to -0.01) resulted in lower readability scores (ie, were more difficult to read), while a shorter time since dentists' examination resulted in higher readability scores (P=.01; B=0.24 per year, 95% CI 0.05-0.43). The comprehensiveness of information from YouTube videos was 34.6% (IQR 13.5%-38.5%). However, the comprehensiveness of information did not vary between websites and YouTube videos (P=.09). Additionally, viewers' interaction (1.7%, IQR 0.7%-3.4%) and viewing rates (101%, IQR 54.6%-112.6%) were low.

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of German-language, patient-centered, web-based information on erosive tooth wear was limited. Especially, the comprehensiveness and trustworthiness of the available information were insufficient. Web-based information on erosive tooth wear requires improvement to inform patients comprehensively and reliably.

Social media as a tool for oral health promotion: A systematic review

Social media platforms are common means of sharing information, personal experiences, and lifestyle. They can also be utilized as cost-effective methods for individuals to acquire health information and promote oral health. The purpose of the present study was to systematically review the current literature on the interventions taken through social media for promoting lay people's oral health. This systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42023395005) followed the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library) for relevant articles published between 2012 and 2023. Data such as study design, sample size, follow-up duration, utilized social media platforms and main findings were extracted from the eligible studies. The quality of the studies included in the systematic review was evaluated by the quality assessment tools for intervention studies recommended by the National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. Out of the 1934 records identified in the initial search, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. These studies comprised seven randomized control trials, one field trial and two quasi-experimental. Various social media platforms, including Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp and Snapchat, were used for communication with patients. Some studies solely utilized social media interventions, while others combined online and traditional interventions. The quality assessment categorized 30% of the studies as "strong", 50% as "moderate", and the remaining as "weak". The implementation of social media interventions positively influenced multiple aspects of oral health among the laypeople. Online platforms such as YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Telegram can be effectively utilized to promote oral health among patients.

Quality Assessment of YouTube Videos as an Information Source for Bowel Management in Children

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the quality and reliability of YouTube videos about bowel management in children.

METHODS

On April 6th, 2023, the search results for "bowel management in children" on YouTube were rated independently by two authors. JAMA Benchmark Criteria (score 0-4) and a modified DISCERN tool (score 16-80) used for quality and reliability assessment. Data was analyzed by Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

Out of 48 videos included, 15 (31.2%) videos were intended for professionals and 33 (68.8%) for the public. The mean number of views was 144.806 and duration was 22 ± 28.4 min. The respective mean duration of videos for professionals 57.7 ± 21.4 min and median number of views was 404.5 (17-8.840) and those for public was 5.7 ± 10.7 min and 8400 (8-5.175.975) (both, p < 0.005). The respective mean DISCERN and JAMA scores of the videos for the public was 45.30 ± 13.18 and 2.93 ± 1.07, and for professionals 75.73 ± 6.52 and 3.8 ± 1.06 (both, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Although the reliability of the videos uploaded for the professionals about pediatric bowel management was higher than for public, duration of the videos was longer and the viewing rates were lower. Shorter but comprehensive and easy-to-understand guidance videos for the public may be of help.

TYPE OF STUDY

Descriptive study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Decoding early childhood caries: an in-depth analysis of YouTube videos for effective parental education

PURPOSE

To assess the coverage of information about early childhood caries (ECC) available on YouTube videos in three different languages, regarding technical characteristics of videos and interaction metrics.

METHODS

Search strategies were developed in English, Spanish, and Portuguese to make a comprehensive collection of videos from YouTube, encompassing 60 samples for each language, regarding all video types. The videos were assessed by a thematic checklist regarding 17 items on ECC. Videos were dichotomized according to the median of the thematic score and the nature of their authorship (health and non-health authors) to compare groups. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (version 25.0), applying Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Mann-Whitney U test. P < 0.05 values were considered significant.

RESULTS

Among 120 videos meeting inclusion criteria, ECC aetiology and prevention information proved incomplete, with a median score of 5 (Q1-Q3 = 3-7). No correlation emerged between this score and other video characteristics. However, interaction metrics like views, likes, dislikes, and viewing rates displayed significant correlations. Health authors primarily created these videos, yet non-health author channels had more subscribers. Surprisingly, videos focused on the impact of regular sugary food and beverage consumption on ECC progression received the most attention.

CONCLUSIONS

Videos that presented information about the aetiology and prevention of ECC invariably focused on partial aspects of the disease. This highlights the need for better-quality educational videos and the importance of dental professionals in guiding patients toward reliable sources of information.

Approaches to Research Ethics in Health Research on YouTube: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

YouTube has become a popular source of health care information, reaching an estimated 81% of adults in 2021; approximately 35% of adults in the United States have used the internet to self-diagnose a condition. Public health researchers are therefore incorporating YouTube data into their research, but guidelines for best practices around research ethics using social media data, such as YouTube, are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe approaches to research ethics for public health research implemented using YouTube data.

METHODS

We implemented a systematic review of articles found in PubMed, SocINDEX, Web of Science, and PsycINFO following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. To be eligible to be included, studies needed to be published in peer-reviewed journals in English between January 1, 2006, and October 31, 2019, and include analyses on publicly available YouTube data on health or public health topics; studies using primary data collection, such as using YouTube for study recruitment, interventions, or dissemination evaluations, were not included. We extracted data on the presence of user identifying information, institutional review board (IRB) review, and informed consent processes, as well as research topic and methodology.

RESULTS

This review includes 119 articles from 88 journals. The most common health and public health topics studied were in the categories of chronic diseases (44/119, 37%), mental health and substance use (26/119, 21.8%), and infectious diseases (20/119, 16.8%). The majority (82/119, 68.9%) of articles made no mention of ethical considerations or stated that the study did not meet the definition of human participant research (16/119, 13.4%). Of those that sought IRB review (15/119, 12.6%), 12 out of 15 (80%) were determined to not meet the definition of human participant research and were therefore exempt from IRB review, and 3 out of 15 (20%) received IRB approval. None of the 3 IRB-approved studies contained identifying information; one was explicitly told not to include identifying information by their ethics committee. Only 1 study sought informed consent from YouTube users. Of 119 articles, 33 (27.7%) contained identifying information about content creators or video commenters, one of which attempted to anonymize direct quotes by not including user information.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the variation in practice, concrete guidelines on research ethics for social media research are needed, especially around anonymizing and seeking consent when using identifying information.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42020148170; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=148170.

YouTube Videos on Nutrition and Dental Caries: Content Analysis

BACKGROUND

Dental caries is the most common health condition worldwide, and nutrition and dental caries have a strong interconnected relationship. Foods and eating behaviors can be both harmful (eg, sugar) and healthful (eg, meal spacing) for dental caries. YouTube is a popular source for the public to access information. To date, there is no information available on the nutrition and dental caries content of easily accessible YouTube videos.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the content of YouTube videos on nutrition and dental caries.

METHODS

In total, 6 YouTube searches were conducted using keywords related to nutrition and dental caries. The first 20 videos were selected from each search. Video content was scored (17 possible points; higher scores were associated with more topics covered) by 2 individuals based on the inclusion of information regarding various foods and eating behaviors that impact dental caries risk. For each video, information on video characteristics (ie, view count, length, number of likes, number of dislikes, and video age) was captured. Videos were divided into 2 groups by view rate (views/day); differences in scores and types of nutrition messages between groups were determined using nonparametric statistics.

RESULTS

In total, 42 videos were included. Most videos were posted by or featured oral health professionals (24/42, 57%). The mean score was 4.9 (SD 3.4) out of 17 points. Videos with >30 views/day (high view rate; 20/42, 48% videos) had a trend toward a lower score (mean 4.0, SD 3.7) than videos with ≤30 views/day (low view rate; 22/42, 52%; mean 5.8, SD 3.0; P=.06), but this result was not statistically significant. Sugar was the most consistently mentioned topic in the videos (31/42, 74%). No other topics were mentioned in more than 50% of videos. Low-view rate videos were more likely to mention messaging on acidic foods and beverages (P=.04), water (P=.09), and frequency of sugar intake (P=.047) than high-view rate videos.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the analyzed videos had low scores for nutritional and dental caries content. This study provides insights into the messaging available on nutrition and dental caries for the public and guidance on how to make improvements in this area.

Does YouTube™ give us accurate information about bruxism?

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of the information provided by the most watched videos about bruxism on YouTube™. Material and Method: The results of YouTube™search were examined using the keyword “bruxism”. The searching limited to the first 130 videos. DISCERN and the video information and quality index (VIQI) and the criteria were used for evaluating the videos. Also, the interaction index and the viewing rate of the videos were calculated. The Kruskal-Wallis H Test, Pearson's Chi-Square Test, Spearman's rho correlation were used for statistical analyses. Significance level was taken as p

Evaluating YouTube as a Patient Information Source for the Risks of Root Canal Treatment

INTRODUCTION

YouTube is one of the most used social media platforms for health care information. Misinformation and poor educational content on this platform can exacerbate public anxiety and fear of root canal treatment. This study aimed to investigate the quality of videos examining risks of root canal treatment on YouTube.

METHODS

YouTube was searched using a combination of keywords relating to endodontic complications to replicate goal-orientated browsing. Video quality was assessed using a modified DISCERN score and global quality score by 2 authors independently. Manifest quantitative content analysis was used to capture information about the video and extent of interactions. The 10 most viewed videos were further analyzed in terms of the messaging and format of the videos.

RESULTS

The mean overall quality of the videos was relatively low (2.20). Videos produced by regulatory bodies had the highest mean score (3.00) and the shortest mean length (2 minutes 23 seconds) but had the fewest views and interactions. The poorest quality videos (mean 1.5) were produced by nonclinicians and news/media, which tended to be longer (mean 8 minutes 49 seconds) and received more engagement. Across all videos, information related to patient decision making tended to be poorly presented.

CONCLUSIONS

The dental community, particularly institutions and organizations, need to strategically create engaging videos to redress patients' concerns about root canal treatment. This can counterbalance the existing misleading information and improve access to evidence-based content, which will ultimately affect patient decision making.

Promoting early childhood oral health and preventing early childhood caries on Instagram

Introduction

Early childhood caries (ECC) is prevalent worldwide. Oral health promotion effectively utilizes key messages to educate parents/caregivers and the public on how to prevent ECC. Instagram is one of the biggest social media platforms, and could be used to promote early childhood oral health. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how young children's oral health is promoted and supported on Instagram.

Methods

This study used inductive content analysis to categorize, quantify, and interpret pictorial and textual data derived from Instagram posts containing the most commonly used ECC-related hashtags in their captions (determined by an extensive search through Instagram's search bar).

Results

A total of 1,071 images and 3,228 comments were analyzed based on 13 hashtags. The most common types of images were those of people (57.5%) and graphics/memes (37.8%). Most people were older children (32.5%) or adults (20.3%), and were White (19.6%) or Asian (18.5%). A majority of images had people posing (79.1%) in dental clinics (81.3%). Most graphics/memes were instructional/informational (76.3%). A total of 173 posts had substantial discussions that were positive/constructive in nature. The majority of discussions had at least one comment providing advice, tips, or explanations (79.8%), or had users requesting further information (73.4%).

Conclusion

As more people engage with social media, health professionals should consider the potential for Instagram as a tool to promote early childhood oral health and to prevent ECC. Our study shows that many different users are providing and consuming content related to ECC. Targeted messaging, monitoring of content, and professional guidance could be beneficial to those seeking oral health information on this platform.

Social media in health communication: A literature review of information quality

BACKGROUND

Social media is used in health communication by individuals, health professionals, disease centres and other health regulatory bodies. However, varying degrees of information quality are churned out daily on social media. This review is concerned with the quality of Social Media Health Information (SMHI).

OBJECTIVE

The review sought to understand how SMHI quality issues have been framed and addressed in the literature. Health topics, users and social media platforms that have raised health information quality concerns are reviewed. The review also looked at the suitability of existing criteria and instruments used in evaluating SMHI and identified gaps for future research.

METHOD

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the forward chaining strategy were used in the document search. Data were sourced according to inclusion criteria from five academic databases, namely Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PubMed and MEDLINE.

RESULTS

A total of 93 articles published between 2000 and 2019 were used in the review. The review revealed a worrying trend of health content and communication on social media, especially of cancer, dental care and diabetes information on YouTube. The review further discovered that the Journal of the American Medical Association, the DISCERN and the Health on the Net Foundation, which were designed before the advent of social media, continue to be used as quality evaluation instruments for SMHI, even though technical and user characteristics of social media differ from traditional portals such as websites.

CONCLUSION

The study synthesises varied opinions on SMHI quality in the literature and recommends that future research proposes quality evaluation criteria and instruments specifically for SMHI.

Is Online Video a Suitable Source to Obtain Sufficient and Useful Information About Peri-Implantitis?

PURPOSE

Recently, with the increase in cases of peri-implantitis, the amount of data patients can receive via social media about the condition has increased. The study presented here aims to examine what online videos (YouTubeTM, Google LLC, San Bruno, California) offer patients about peri-implantitis and to evaluate the quality of the information presented.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a systematic search was conducted into online videos containing information about peri-implantitis using the keyword "peri-implantitis" by an experienced periodontologist. The source of videos, video type, duration, number of days since upload, number of views, comments, likes, dislikes, and interaction index of each video were recorded. Videos were scored according to content; Score 0 (low content): videos with no description of clinical presentations, risk factors, or management options; Score 1 (moderate content): videos that described 1 clinical presentation and 1 etiologic factor and did not describe management options; Score 2 (high content): videos with the description of at least 2 clinical presentations, 2 etiologic factors, and 1 management option. The quality of each video was evaluated using the Global Quality Scale and DISCERN. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's test, and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Intraobserver agreement was calculated as the intraclass correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The first 200 videos were screened and, after exclusions, 103 videos were included for further analysis. United States-based videos were the majority (14 videos), 46.6% of the videos were uploaded by healthcare professionals, and 99% were in the educational videos category. Video content score 2 videos have higher mean values with 4,871.945 views, 6.002 comments, 50.729 likes, 7.751 viewing rate, and 0.023 interaction index than score 0 videos (P < .05). Statistically significant positive correlations were found between the video content score, Global Quality Scale, DISCERN, and the data showing the popularity and visibility of the videos (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, half of the top-ranked online videos are valuable sources of information about peri-implantitis. Videos with high content are more popular and are of greater quality than videos with low content.

How reliable are YouTube videos on laser-assisted surgical treatment of the gummy smile?

Objectives:

Patients frequently use social media platforms to obtain information on dental treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of the content prepared for patients seeking information on laser-assisted surgical treatment of the gummy smile on the YouTube platform.

Material and Methods:

Videos were searched on YouTube using the keyword “fix gummy smile” in Google Trends. Considering the exclusion criteria, 30 out of 119 videos were selected for the study. Videos were analyzed in terms of general characteristics, video uploader, video content quality (VCQ), video information and quality index (VIQI), and Global Quality Scale (GQS). Statistical significance was established at P < 0.05.

Results:

The average VCQ of the videos was 3.07 ± 1.39 out of a maximum of 30. Most videos (46.7%) were uploaded by dentists and 23.3% by healthcare institutions. Considering the video uploader, no significant difference was found in VCQ, VIQI, and GQS (P > 0.05). There was a positive correlation among the interaction index, the number of likes, and the reliability score (P < 0.05). Moreover, reliability score showed a positively directed association with GQS, total VIQI score, and total VCQ score (P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Clinicians who upload content to YouTube should consider the importance and potential of YouTube to provide information to communities and create videos with more intellectual content to facilitate access to accurate information, especially related to health.

Assessment of reliability and information quality of YouTube videos about root canal treatment after 2016

Background

This study aimed to assess and update the content, reliability, and information quality of content related to root canal treatment (RCTx) on YouTube and evaluate the correlation between each evaluation index.

Methods

YouTube was searched using two terms related to RCTx (“root canal and endodontic treatment”). A total of 240 videos (120 for each search term) were screened. Exclusion criteria were as follows: no sound or visuals, non-English, irrelevant to the search term, longer than 15 min, duplicate, or old (uploaded before 2016). After exclusion, 50 videos of “root canal treatment” and 45 videos of “endodontic treatment” were analyzed. Video length, total number of views, likes, dislikes, comments, and days since upload were recorded using descriptive video data. Viewers’ interaction, reliability and information quality of the video, and quality of video content were measured using nondescriptive video data. The interaction index and video power index were used for viewer interactions, and the modified DISCERN index, JAMA criteria, and Global Quality Score were used to assess the reliability and information quality of the video. The quality of the video content was measured using the completeness score.

Results

The videos of the “root canal treatment” group had a significantly higher completeness score for the etiology and symptoms (p < 0.05), and videos of the “endodontic treatment” group showed a higher interaction index, completeness score for the procedure (p < 0.05). Videos for dentists had significantly higher completeness scores for the procedure, while videos for laypersons had higher completeness scores for etiology, anatomy, symptoms, and prognosis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the total completeness score and the interaction index of the videos for laypersons were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The videos uploaded by the university had a significantly higher modified DISCERN index (p = 0.044), and the JAMA score was significantly higher in the commercial group (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Although the accuracy of videos related to RCTx was higher in videos by universities and professionals, the total completeness of YouTube videos was low regardless of the video source. Therefore, professionals should be responsible for providing more accurate and reliable videos.

Assessment of the educational value of endodontic access cavity preparation YouTube video as a learning resource for students

Objective

To evaluate the educational value of YouTube as a learning tool for dental students regarding endodontic access cavity preparation.

Methods and findings

YouTube search was made for videos related to endodontic access cavity preparation using specific terms. After exclusions, 41 videos were chosen and assessed for tooth type, video length, days since upload, country of origin, number of views and likes, source of authorship, and viewing rate. To grade the content of videos, a usefulness score with seven elements was developed. Each element was given a score of 0 or 1. Statistical tests were run by using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) at a 5% significance level. The videos received a mean of 181198.5 views with a mean duration of 686.1 seconds. The mean number of “likes” was 1047.8. Almost half of the videos covered content related to molar teeth. Most videos were provided by health care professionals with almost 50% uploaded from India. The mean usefulness score was 4.29 (range: 1–7) and the most discussed elements were description, instruments used, access cavity demonstration, and evaluation criteria. About a quarter of the videos were classified as good, while 46.3% as moderate and 29.3% as poor. Among the content usefulness categories, no difference was found in the video demographics (p>0.05) except “days since upload” (p = 0.018) in which good quality videos were found to have the highest median. Moreover, although insignificant, good videos were found to have the longest duration and lowest number of views, likes, and viewing rate. The mean usefulness score of videos released during the COVID-19 pandemic was lower than that for pre-pandemic videos (p = 0.042), and videos uploaded by academic institutions had a higher mean usefulness score than videos uploaded by health care professionals (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Information on endodontic access cavity preparation is not comprehensive in most of the reviewed YouTube videos and could be of low educational value.

YouTube as an information and education source for early orthodontic treatment

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to evaluate the content, reliability, and quality of YouTube videos for early orthodontic treatment.

METHODS

YouTube video searches were carried out using the keyword "early orthodontic treatment," which was determined using Google Trends. After sorting according to relevance, the first 120 videos were observed, and 61 videos were analyzed accordingly. Further, the general characteristics, uploader source, reliability score (RS), global quality scale (GQS), video information quality index, audiovisual quality, viewers' interaction index, viewing rate, and total information content score (TCS) data belonging to these videos were analyzed. Based on their reliability scores, videos were divided into 2 main groups (low and medium/high information content) accordingly.

RESULTS

It was found that 25 (41%) of the videos had medium/high information content, and 36 (59%) had low information content, respectively. Videos with medium/high information content were found to have long video durations, increased comments, and high TCS, GQS, RS, and video information quality index scores (P <0.05). The videos uploaded by doctors had increased comments, long duration, and high TCS, GQS, and RS scores (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The quality of the information provided by YouTube videos on early orthodontic treatment was generally insufficient. In addition, the information quality was high for videos uploaded by doctors.

Is YouTube a reliable source of health-related information? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

YouTube is a valuable source of health-related educational material which can have a profound impact on people's behaviors and decisions. However, YouTube contains a wide variety of unverified content that may promote unhealthy behaviors and activities. We aim in this systematic review to provide insight into the published literature concerning the quality of health information and educational videos found on YouTube.

METHODS

We searched Google Scholar, Medline (through PubMed), EMBASE, Scopus, Direct Science, Web of Science, and ProQuest databases to find all papers on the analysis of medical and health-related content published in English up to August 2020. Based on eligibility criteria, 202 papers were included in our study. We reviewed every article and extracted relevant data such as the number of videos and assessors, the number and type of quality categories, and the recommendations made by the authors. The extracted data from the papers were aggregated using different methods to compile the results.

RESULTS

The total number of videos assessed in the selected articles is 22,300 (median = 94, interquartile range = 50.5-133). The videos were evaluated by one or multiple assessors (median = 2, interquartile range = 1-3). The video quality was assessed by scoring, categorization, or based on creators' bias. Researchers commonly employed scoring systems that are either standardized (e.g., GQS, DISCERN, and JAMA) or based upon the guidelines and recommendations of professional associations. Results from the aggregation of scoring or categorization data indicate that health-related content on YouTube is of average to below-average quality. The compiled results from bias-based classification show that only 32% of the videos appear neutral toward the health content. Furthermore, the majority of the studies confirmed either negative or no correlation between the quality and popularity of the assessed videos.

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube is not a reliable source of medical and health-related information. YouTube's popularity-driven metrics such as the number of views and likes should not be considered quality indicators. YouTube should improve its ranking and recommender system to promote higher-quality content. One way is to consider expert reviews of medical and health-related videos and to include their assessment data in the ranking algorithm.

Analysis of YouTube videos related to a child's first dental visit

BACKGROUND

As parents increasingly turn to online videos for paediatric dental information, it is important to assess the content of those videos and determine whether parents are receiving accurate information.

AIM

To describe and assess the video characteristics, viewer engagement, and content of the most-viewed YouTube videos about a child's first dental visit.

DESIGN

The 100 most popular YouTube videos related to a child's first dental visit were assessed for consistency with current professional guidelines, which included a first visit by age 1, tooth cleaning or prophylaxis, fluoride application, caries risk assessment, dietary counseling, oral hygiene instruction, frequency of dental visits, and anticipatory guidance. Differences in video characteristics (length, age, and viewer engagement) were assessed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the post hoc Mann-Whitney U test, and differences in content and characteristics by video upload source (healthcare professionals, parents/caregivers, and independent media outlets) were examined using the chi-square test and the Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

The predominant upload source was parents/caregivers (40%) followed by independent media outlets (32%) and healthcare professionals (28%). Median video length was 2 min, 24 s (IQR = 2:05-3:49), and median video age was 4 years (IQR = 3-4 years). Most videos were filmed in a paediatric dental office (73%) and focused on motivational vs. educational content (77% vs. 23%, respectively). With regard to viewer engagement, videos uploaded by media outlets generated higher viewing rates than those uploaded by parents/caregivers (mean rank [MR] = 44.7 vs. 24.8, respectively) and healthcare professionals (MR = 34.8 vs. 31.5) and higher interaction rates than those uploaded by parents/caregivers (MR = 50.8 vs. 25.0) and healthcare professionals (MR = 39.1 vs. 20.6). Videos uploaded by healthcare professionals were more likely to provide educational content consistent with professional recommendations, particularly regarding caries risk assessment (32.1%), dietary counseling (21.4%), and frequency of dental visits (10.7%), than videos uploaded by parents/caregivers (5.0%, 5.0%, and 0%, respectively) and media outlets (0%, 3.1%, and 0%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that the most popular videos related to a child' first dental visit, as measured by viewer engagement, were uploaded by parents or caregivers, were longer and newer, and featured motivational rather than educational content. The 100 most-viewed videos rarely presented information that was consistent with professional recommendations for children's oral health, particularly regarding caries risk assessment and anticipatory guidance.

Reliability of Educational Content Videos in YouTubeTM about Stainless Steel Crowns

The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the quality and educational information provided on YouTube^TM about stainless steel crowns (SSC). Videos were searched for on YouTube ^TM using keywords related to stainless steel crowns in pediatric dentistry in the Google Trends application. A total of 52 videos were available. After exclusion criteria application, 22 videos were selected for the study for analysis. To classify the video content as high or low quality, a scoring system formed of seven parameters was used. For a global evaluation of the video quality, the video information and quality index were applied. Data obtained were analyzed statistically. Only a few videos explained the importance of SSCs. Most of the videos uploaded with a high number of likes were of low quality. Very few videos were of high quality. The content quality and educational quality of videos is poor and incomplete. None of the videos explained the need for the SSC and its benefits in pediatric dentistry.

Analysis of Quality, Usefulness, Reliability, Visibility, and Popularity of Videos about Dental Caries on YouTube: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Objectives

YouTube is the most popular social media and is widely used to access dental and oral diseases information. Nonetheless, the quality of online health information remains a problem. This study aimed to analyze the quality, usefulness, reliability, visibility, and popularity of YouTube videos about dental caries as a source of information.

Materials and Methods

The study design was a cross-sectional analytical study. Here, 300 videos that were uploaded in September 2019-2020 were screened, and total duration, number of views, number of likes, number dislikes, uploader category (individual users or health professionals), and upload date of the videos were recorded. One hundred videos were analyzed in terms of their quality, usefulness, reliability, visibility, and popularity using the Global Quality Scale, usefulness score, DISCERN, viewing rate, and interaction index, respectively.

Results

Videos were 78% uploaded by individual users. Videos uploaded by health professionals showed high scores in quality, usefulness, and reliability. Videos that were greater than 6 min long exhibited both better quality and higher popularity. Video with good-quality showed high visibility and popularity. In addition, videos with better usefulness and reliability showed high visibility; however, their popularity was low.

Conclusions

Information about dental caries on YouTube is limited in quality. YouTube videos have a potentially important role in oral health education.

The quality and readability of online molar incisor hypomineralisation patient education materials: a systematic analysis

Background

Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is estimated to affect 14% of children worldwide. It is crucial that patients and their families have access to easily comprehensible and reliable MIH‐relevant information. This study aims to determine the quality, reliability and readability of online patient education materials about MIH.

Methods

A systematic search strategy was adopted. Five validated tools were used to assess the content of the 21 websites that satisfied inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data analyses were applied via GraphPad Prism software version 9 (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA, USA).

Results

Five (23.8%) websites only satisfied the criteria for understandability and two (9.5%) websites satisfied the criteria for actionability using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). No website contained the Health on the Net (HON)Code Seal and the mean (SD) Journal of theAmerican Medical Association number of benchmarks per website was 1.33/4 (1.02). All websites failed to reach recommended minimum readability levels. Higher PEMAT scores were associated with ‘easier’ readability.

Conclusions

Online patient education materials related to MIH are lacking in quality and reliability, and are too difficult for most to read easily. The authors of MIH‐related online content should consider reference to quality of information tools when developing patient education materials.

YoutubeTM for information on pediatric oral health instructions

INTRODUCTION

Parents and caregivers of pediatric patients usually tend to search for health information on social networks and other online platforms. At this point, the quality and reliability of these sources play an essential part in maintaining the oral health of pediatric patients.

AIM

The recent study aimed to analyze the reliability, quality, and content of YouTube^TM videos on pediatric oral health instructions, assess the efficacy of these videos, and help health providers lead the parents accessing accurate information on the subject mentioned.

DESIGN

The searching term was detected as "children oral health" (Google Trends Application). The first 150 videos were taken into the study. Six excluding criteria were used, and 40 videos have lasted for the further examinations. Content headings were determined according to the AAPD guidelines on pediatric oral health. The content analysis scores, reliability scores, and Global Quality Score were calculated for each of these 40 videos. SPSS 26 statistical software was used in the statistical analysis process of the data; p <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The recent study results showed that according to content analyses, the videos were classified as ''poor'' content with the mean values 4.07 (± 1.32). The mean reliability score 2.96 (± 0.69) has shown that the reliability of the videos was moderate. Mean Global Quality Score values were 2.95 (± 0.73), which means the subjects were moderate quality. The mean reliability of the rich content videos (3.39 ± 0.59) and the Global Quality Score score of them (3.43 ± 0.62) were statistically higher compared to the average values of the poor content videos (respectively; 2.73 ± 0.64; 2.69± 0.66) (p<0.05) The average number of likes, dislikes, length, interaction index and viewing rate of rich content videos were higher than the same features of poor content videos (p<0.05). The videos with rich content were determined in the first 50 videos listed for analyzes, and the distribution of the included videos on the list was equally.

CONCLUSION

The present study concluded that the YouTubeTM videos providing oral health instructions for pediatric patients and their parents had poor content, medium quality, and reliability. Although all the listed content headings were not mentioned in the videos, the content of them still may be useful and educational for individuals. However, dental hygiene practitioners and dentists should be aware of the need in this area and put more effort into improving the YouTube^TM videos on children's oral health in a more detailed way regarding content headings, quality, and reliability.

Evaluation of YouTube videos for patients' education on periradicular surgery

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of periradicular surgery-related YouTube videos available for patients' education. YouTube search was made for videos related to periradicular surgery using specific terms. After exclusions, 42 videos were selected, viewed and assessed by two independent observers. The videos were assessed in terms of duration, days since upload, country of upload, number of views, likes and dislikes, authorship source, viewing rate and interaction index. To grade the content of videos about periradicular surgery, a usefulness score was created with 10 elements based mainly on the American Association of Endodontists guidelines. Each element was given a score of 0 or 1. SPSS software (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) was used to analyze data at a 95% confidence level. An inter-evaluator reliability analysis for the scoring system was performed using the Kappa statistic. The videos received an average of 35103.9 views (range: 9-652378) with an average duration of 338.71 seconds (range: 42-2081), respectively. Most videos were provided by individuals (57%). Half of the videos were posted by authors from the United States. The inter-evaluator reliability for usefulness scoring was 94.5%. No video covered the 10 scoring elements completely, presenting very low usefulness scores (mean: 3.2; range: 1-7). The most discussed elements were supporting media (100%) and steps of the procedure (90.5%) followed by indications and contraindications (45.2%) and symptoms (31%). None of the included videos discussed the procedure's cost or prognosis. In terms of usefulness score, no significant difference was detected between different sources of upload (chi-square test, P > 0.05). Information on periradicular surgery in YouTube videos is not comprehensive and patients should not rely on YouTube as the only source of information. Dental professionals should enrich the content of YouTube with good quality videos by providing full and evidence-based information that will positively affect patients' attitudes and satisfaction.

Quality and Reliability of Halitosis Videos on YouTube as a Source of Information

Halitosis is a common condition that adversely affects quality of life. Through YouTube, people access oral health information. This study aimed to analyze the quality and comprehensiveness of the content, and reliability of halitosis videos hosted on YouTube. In total, 300 videos were collected based on three search keywords, and the number of likes, dislikes, views, duration, interaction index, viewing rate, and source category. Subsequently, the video score, which represents the content quality and comprehensiveness was used to categorize videos as poor, good, and excellent. DISCERN score was used to assess video reliability. Of the 105 videos analyzed, 68 (64.8%) were uploaded by personal users. In general, videos were categorized as poor and have low reliability. Videos sourced from healthcare professionals showed the highest quality, comprehensiveness of the content, and reliability (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the number of viewers for video duration less than or more than 4 min (p > 0.05). YouTube users prefer low-quality videos over high-quality ones, indicating that viewers cannot differentiate between reliable and potentially biased content. It is critical to enable viewers to critically assimilate information hosted on YouTube to make effective oral healthcare decisions.

Content analysis and reliability of YouTube™ videos on clear aligner

Objectives:

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the information provided in the videos about the clear aligner on the Youtube video platform, an internet information source.

Materials and Methods:

A video search was performed on the Youtube video platform using three keywords determined with the Google Trends application. After the videos were ranked based on their view counts, a total of 75 videos were analyzed, 47 being the first for each term. After applying the exclusion criteria (repetitive content, no audio content or title information, irrelevant to the topic, only promotional content, duration over 15 min, and addressing other orthodontic treatments), the remaining 47 videos were evaluated. Regarding the videos, the following parameters were recorded: View count, number of likes, number of dislikes, number of comments, video duration, and days since the uploaded date. A scoring system consisting of seven parameters was used to classify the video content quality as low and high. The video information and quality index were utilized to evaluate the quality of the videos universally. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata/IC computer program using Shapiro–Wilks, Kruskall–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U, and linear regression (Backward method) tests. Statistical significance value was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

Evaluation of the videos based on their upload source revealed that 27 videos were downloaded from individuals, ten videos from doctors and ten videos from commercial sources, and the number of subscribers to these sources varied significantly (P < 0.05). Evaluation of the videos based on the information provided, revealed that 32 videos had poor quality, ten videos had moderate quality and five videos had good quality information content, and the video durations varied significantly (P < 0.05). It was seen that of the 75 videos viewed, only 10 (13.3%) provided information of moderate-good quality. The number of likes was found to be the parameter that significantly affects the view count (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

YouTube videos prove insufficient as a source of information on orthodontic treatment with clear aligner. Health-care professionals should be aware of online platforms to ensure that patients can access accurate information.

Reliability of information on YouTube™ regarding pediatric dental trauma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Traumatic dental injuries are a common health problem in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of the video contents on YouTube™ regarding traumatic dental injuries in children taking into account the information of IADT, and to analyze whether it is useful for patients and dentists.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A search was performed on YouTube™ using the search term "trauma in pediatric dentistry" with the default filter set to "sort by relevance". Based on this search, 127 videos were included. Demographic data such as the source, type, duration, upload date, number of likes and dislikes, interaction index, and viewing rate of the videos were recorded. Using a 23-point scale for video content analysis, they were classified into groups as low, moderate, and high content.

RESULTS

A total of 127 videos were analyzed. Most of the videos were uploaded by healthcare professionals (n = 90; 70.8%). The average length of the videos was 16.4 min (range: 0.6-122.9 min; median: 7.8). The average number of views of each video was 3702.9 views (range: 4-87 103). The average interaction index (views/day) was 2.4 views (range: 0.00-19.5). The average viewing rate was 522.3 (range: 1.8-6381.2). The average number of "likes" was 45.0 (range: 0-619) and the average number of "dislikes" was 2.1 (range: 0-81). The mean number of days since the uploading of the video was 772.8 days (range: 23-3805). Most of the videos (94.4%, n = 120) were educational videos and 27 (21.2%), 40 (31.4%), and 60 (47.2%) were classified as high-content, moderate-content, and low-content groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube™ videos can be a useful resource for dental trauma in children. However, there is a need to improve the quality of YouTube™ videos uploaded by oral health professionals.

YouTube as an information source for instrument separation in root canal treatment

Objectives

The reliability and educational quality of videos on YouTube for patients seeking information regarding instrument separation in root canal treatment were evaluated.

Materials and Methods

YouTube was searched for videos on instrument separation in root canal treatment. Video content was scored based on reliability in terms of 3 categories (etiology, procedure, and prognosis) and based on video flow, quality, and educational usefulness using the Global Quality Score (GQS). Descriptive statistics were obtained and the data were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results

The highest mean completeness scores were obtained for videos published by dentists or specialists (1.48 ± 1.06). There was no statistically significant difference among sources of upload in terms of content completeness. The highest mean GQS was found for videos published by dentists or specialists (1.82 ± 0.96), although there was no statistically significant correlation between GQS and the source of upload.

Conclusions

Videos on YouTube have incomplete and low-quality content for patients who are concerned about instrument separation during endodontic treatment, or who experience this complication during endodontic treatment.

YouTube as a source of information on space maintainers for parents and patients

OBJECTIVE

In recent years the social media offers a handy platform for patients who want to receive medical information. The aim of this study is to assess the content of YouTube as an information source on space maintainers and to evaluate the efficiency of videos by parents and patients.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

YouTube was searched for information using two keywords 'space maintainer' and 'space maintainers in pediatric dentistry'. Two dentists reviewed the first 200 videos for each search term. After exclusions, 52 videos were included for analysis. Demographics of videos, including the type of source, date of upload, length, viewers' interaction and viewing rate were evaluated. The overall usefulness of videos was scored according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Guideline based on 9-point scales. The mean usefulness score of evaluated videos was 4,4 ± 1,5 (range 1-8). There was a significant correlation between usefulness and video length (p<0,05). But there was no significant correlation between usefulness and other demographics. Most videos were uploaded by healthcare professionals (51.9%). Videos uploaded by individual users were less useful compared with videos uploaded by healthcare professionals or organizations. Most of the videos (88,5%) used representative images for visualizing.

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube videos about space maintainers are useful for parents only to understand and visualize their function. However, it does not provide sufficient information about adverse effects and types of them. Dentists should warn their patients that videos on the internet may contain incorrect and limited information.

Evaluation of YouTube Video Content Related to the Management of Hypoglycemia

Objective

Hypoglycemia is a syndrome characterized by decreased blood glucose levels and can result in morbidity and mortality. Often, patients seek information about hypoglycemia from the Internet and especially YouTube. The objective of this study was to investigate the quality and reliability of the 50 most viewed videos related to hypoglycemia on YouTube.

Methods

The links of 50 videos that met the criteria were copied to spreadsheet software. Attributes of the uploaders, the content of the videos, their screening time, the date they were uploaded, the number of days since the upload date, the number of daily views, comments, likes, dislike, and video power indexes were recorded. The videos were assessed by two independent emergency specialists using DISCERN and global quality scales (GQS).

Results

Of the selection, 27 (54%) videos were uploaded by health channels, 11 (22%) by physicians, nine (18%) by hospital channels, and three (6%) by patients. Furthermore, 30 (60%) of these 50 videos were real-content videos and 20 (40%) were animations. The average DISCERN score given by the researchers to 50 videos was 3.72 ± 0.90 (min-max: 1-5) and the average GQS score was 3.65 ± 0.88. Mean video power index (VPI) value was determined as 92.64 ± 11. According to Pearson’s analysis, there was a good agreement between the two observers.

Conclusion

Videos uploaded by physicians were useful. However, health videos should only be uploaded by physicians. Uploading videos with content that the patients and their relatives can clearly understand is of paramount importance.

Online Cleft Educational Videos: Parent Preferences

OBJECTIVE

Determine what parents of children with cleft lip and palate value in online educational videos and evaluate whether their needs are currently being met.

DESIGN

Focus groups and telephone interviews were used to define parent information needs, followed by an evaluation of whether currently available YouTube videos meet these needs.

SETTING

British Columbia Children's Hospital multidisciplinary cleft clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-four parents of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate.

RESULTS

Parents desired videos that are accessible, trustworthy, relatable, and positive. Parents preferred a series of short videos addressing relevant topics as their child grows. Currently available YouTube videos only partially met these needs, with underrepresented topics including hearing, dentition, and surgeries for older children.

CONCLUSIONS

While access and validity of video resources can be improved by directing patients and families to appropriate videos, some parent needs remain unmet.

Cleft Lip and Palate YouTube Videos: Content Usefulness and Sentiment Analysis

Objective:

This study aimed to describe the content of YouTube videos about cleft lip and palate (CLP) and to describe the sentiment analysis of related comments.

Design:

Retrospective, YouTube video, and sentiment analysis.

Methods:

YouTube videos (N = 112) about CLP were examined, including demographics and ratings of quality and usefulness. Comments on CLP (N = 205) were classified by content, and measured from negative (−5) to positive (+5) with a sentiment analysis program.

Results:

Videos were uploaded most often by universities and hospitals (25%) and health information sites (22%). Most videos were educational (49.1%) or described patient experiences (48.2%). The most frequent video topics were terminology, CLP treatment, and prenatal diagnosis information. Based on the comprehensiveness of CLP topics covered, videos were generally rated by authors as moderately useful (31.5%) or very useful (35.7%). Comments were mostly made by people with CLP (79%), and the median sentiment scores were +3, and −2 for positive and negative sentiments, respectively. General content categories were positive comments (24.8%), provided information about themselves (24.4%), negative comments (19.5%), comments on usefulness of video (17.6%), or advice (9.3%). While 36.1% of comments noted no difficulties, the remaining comments included difficulties with surgery pain (13.2%), psychological state (12.2%), embarrassment (11.7%), physical appearance (10.2%), long term therapy (9.8%), and speech problems (6.8%).

Conclusions:

Although useful and educational YouTube videos were available, the variability of content quality suggests that caution be used in relying on videos for information and that experts in CLP treatment should be consulted.

Relationship between oral hygiene knowledge, source of oral hygiene knowledge and oral hygiene behavior in Japanese university students: A prospective cohort study

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine whether oral hygiene knowledge, and the source of that knowledge, affect oral hygiene behavior in university students in Japan. An oral exam and questionnaire survey developed to evaluate oral hygiene knowledge, the source of that knowledge, and oral hygiene behavior, such as the frequency of tooth brushing and regular dental checkups and the use of dental floss, was conducted on university student volunteers. In total, 310 students with poor tooth brushing behavior (frequency of tooth brushing per day [≤ once]), 1,963 who did not use dental floss, and 1,882 who did not receive regular dental checkup during the past year were selected. Among these students, 50, 364, and 343 in each respective category were analyzed in over the 3-year study period (follow-up rates: 16.1%, 18.5%, and 18.2%, respectively). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for oral hygiene behavior were calculated based on oral hygiene knowledge and the source of that knowledge using logistic regression models. The results showed that dental clinics were the most common (> 50%) source of oral hygiene knowledge, and that a more frequent use of dental floss was significantly associated with dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge (OR, 4.11; 95%CI, 1.871–9.029; p < 0.001). In addition, a significant association was seen between dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge and more frequent regular dental checkups (OR, 13.626; 95%CI, 5.971–31.095; p < 0.001). These findings suggest the existence of a relationship between dental clinics being the most common source of oral hygiene knowledge and improved oral hygiene behavior in Japanese university students.

"How I whiten my teeth": YouTube™ as a patient information resource for teeth whitening

BACKGROUND

YouTube™ is the world's second most popular website after Google on the Internet. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and content of information YouTube™ videos for patients seeking information about teeth whitening.

METHODS

The keyword 'teeth whitening' was searched on YouTube™. YouTube™ was filtered by the relevance, and the first 100 videos that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. The included videos were analyzed for views, duration, time since video upload, likes/dislikes, number of comments, source, material types (dental, natural, and other). Also, video purpose was analyzed under nine categories (definition, material preparation, the procedure of application, material comparison, before/after comparison, symptoms, post-op experience, commercial, educational). Each video was classified according to the quality of information content as 'good', 'moderate', or 'poor'. The Kruskal-Wallis test, Fischer's Exact test and Spearman correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Most videos were uploaded by laypersons (60.0%). The definition of teeth whitening was the most commonly covered topic (74.0%), followed by the procedure of application (54.0%), and post-op experience (36.0%). Only 12% of videos were classified as having good information quality content, 53% moderate, and 35% were rated as poor information content. Poor-information content videos had a significantly higher number of viewing rates than the other groups (P = 0.002), besides the duration was significantly higher in poor-information content videos (P =0.002). There was a significant relationship between the quality of video information and material types (P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube™ should not be used as a thoroughly reliable and accurate source for patient information about teeth whitening. More informative and reliable content YouTube™ videos about teeth whitening should be uploaded by professionals.

YouTube™ as a source of information on oral habits

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the content of oral habit videos on YouTube™.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The four keywords "Oral Habits," "Thumb Sucking," "Tongue Thrust", and "Finger Sucking" relevant terms oral habits were searched on YouTube™. The videos sorted by view count were screened and evaluated. The following exclusion criteria were defined as; non-English videos, unrelated to a topic, poor audio-video quality, and duplication. A hundred videos were analyzed for general video characteristics (number of views, likes, dislikes, number of comments, and uploaded date) the purpose of the video, information content, audio-visual quality, and viewers' interaction index.

RESULTS

The top hundred videos have been viewed an average of 26,870.83 times. Most videos were uploaded by dentists (n = 29; 29.0%). Most of the videos (44.0%) were classified as having moderate general information content and 38.0% were rated as good, and 18.0% were rated as poor. Videos generally involved information about oral habits (82.0%), followed by personal experience (12.0%). The viewers' interaction index of all evaluated YouTube™ videos was 0.59. Good content videos had a significantly higher interaction index than the other groups (P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS

YouTube™ videos about the oral habits are generally inadequate and patients must be recommended to view them with caution. High quality and more informative videos about oral habits in dentistry should be uploaded to YouTube™ by professionals.

YouTube™ video content analysis on space maintainers

AIM

Since it is difficult to understand by patients or parents, YouTube™ videos can be used to describe space maintainers. However, the reliability and quality of the information in the YouTube™ videos about space maintainers have not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the quality of information provided on YouTube™ about space maintainers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Videos were searched on YouTube™ using the key words of "space maintainers" in the Google Trends application. From the first 120 results, after discarding the ones immediately deemed insufficient, 46 videos were selected for analysis. To classify the video content as high or low, a scoring system formed of seven parameters was used. For a global evaluation of the video quality, the video information and quality index were applied. Data obtained were analyzed statistically using the independent t-test, the Mann-Whitney U-test, and the Chi-square test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated.

RESULTS

The quality of the content of videos was found to be mean 2.89 from a maximum of seven points, with 15 (32.6%) videos determined to be of high quality and 31 (67.4%) of low quality. The "likes" index was higher in the high-quality videos (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was determined between the groups responsible for uploading videos to YouTube™ in respect of the quality content (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The content quality of videos on YouTube™ about space maintainers is usually low. High-quality content expected from videos uploaded by specialists/dental practitioners was not provided compared to other groups.