Quality of YouTube TM videos on dental implants

Abstract

BackgroundPatients search YouTube for health-care information.PurposeTo examine what YouTube offers patients seeking information on dental implants, and to evaluate the quality of provided information.Material and MethodsA systematic search of YouTube for videos containing information on dental implants was performed using the key words “Dental implant” and “Tooth replacement”. Videos were examined by two senior Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residents who were trained and calibrated to perform the search. Initial assessment was performed to exclude non- English language videos, duplicate videos, conference lectures, and irrelevant videos. Included videos were analyzed with regard to demographics and content’s usefulness. “Information for patients” available from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, European Association of Osseointegration, and British Society of Restorative Dentistry were used for benchmarking.ResultsA total of 117 videos were analyzed. The most commonly discussed topics were related to procedures involved in dental implantology (76.1%, n=89), and to the indications for dental implants (58.1%, n=78). The mean usefulness score of videos was poor (6.02 ±4.7 [range 0-21]), and misleading content was common (30.1% of videos); mainly in topics related to prognosis and maintenance of dental implants. Most videos (83.1%, n=97) failed to mention the source of information presented in the video or where to find more about dental implants.ConclusionsInformation about dental implants on YouTube is limited in quality and quantity. YouTube videos can have a potentially important role in modulating patients’ attitude and treatment decision regarding dental implants. Key words:YouTube, Social Media, Dental Implant, Rehabilitation, Patient information, E-health.

The usefulness of YouTube™ videos as a source of information on burning mouth syndrome

“…Similar to our current analysis, a recent study has shown that the quality and quantity of YouTube™ videos on dental implants is limited, with about 30% of videos delivering misleading information and more than 76% consisting of poor‐quality videos . Another study on endodontic treatment reported that the completeness score was as low as 22.6%, indicating that those videos only partially discussed aspects of the root canal procedure …”

YouTube™ as a source for patient education about the management of dental avulsion injuries

“…The use of YouTube ™ videos for patients' education and health promotion has been studied in a variety of healthcare disciplines. This includes oral health issues such as implants, 14 Sjogren's syndrome, 17 early childhood caries, 18 burning mouth syndrome, 19 oral cancer 12 and root canal treatment. 5 Previous studies evaluating YouTube ™ content have shown considerable heterogeneity in the quality of available information when investigating the content, usefulness and public engagement.…”

“…A structured method was used systematically to search YouTube ™ content as adopted by similar studies . Google trends’ application was used to identify the two most frequently searched terms, ‘knocked tooth out’ and ‘dental avulsion’.…”

“…A structured method was used systematically to search YouTube ™ content as adopted by similar studies. 5,12,14,[17][18][19] Google trends' application 20 was used to identify the two most frequently searched terms, 'knocked tooth out' and 'dental avulsion'. These terms were then used to conduct a search on 5 February 2019 using YouTube ™ with default settings and no filters.…”

“…Several studies have previously evaluated the quality of content on YouTube ™ for various health topics. As these videos are not subjected to any formal peer‐review, there is concern regarding the reliability, degree of accuracy and scientific validity of their content so transmission of ambiguous, erroneous and potentially misleading information could result. Previous studies have demonstrated an inadequate level of public knowledge and awareness with regard to prevention and management of dental trauma, thus highlighting an area where further improvement is required.…”