A review of the effects of oral health media hype on clients' perception of treatment

OBJECTIVES

Research shows that approximately 75% of people worldwide access the internet for health information. Lower calibre websites often use inaccurate claims to attract internet browsers. The objective of this review is to alert oral health care professionals (OHCPs) to the impact of oral health media hype on client perceptions of oral care. It also aims to provide OHCPs with tools to educate clients on how to identify credible oral health information online so that they can make informed oral health treatment decisions.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. The returns were screened using inclusion and exclusion criteria.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 12 (92%) identified that clients browse the internet to research oral health conditions and treatments. Eleven studies (85%) concluded that media outlets influence client perceptions of oral health care and treatment. All 13 studies (100%) found that OHCPs and organizations should better guide clients with tools to discern between evidence-based (EB) and non-evidence-based (NEB) online health information.

DISCUSSION

According to the literature, viewing NEB oral health information on the internet affects clients' perceptions of oral health care, which may lead to potentially harmful treatment decisions. Chairside education is effective in reducing the impact of oral health misinformation.

CONCLUSION

OHCPs have the responsibility to address the impact of media hype on clients' perception of oral health care and to direct them to credible health information.