Is YouTube a reliable source for toothbrushing information for children with special healthcare needs? A cross-sectional content analysis
Sairab Manzoor, Ramsiya Rahim, Mugilan Ravi, Tundup Dolker, Rhea Sudesh Gandham, Virat GalhotraAim:
To evaluate the characteristics, engagement, content, and quality of YouTube videos addressing toothbrushing considerations for children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN).
Settings and Design:
A cross-sectional content analysis of information provided on YouTube regarding toothbrushing information for special children.
Methodology:
Two independent reviewers screened 200 YouTube videos using two search terms based on Google Trends, followed by screening and scoring of the included videos using a 13-point customized scale and a 5-point Global Quality Scale.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Kruskal–Wallis and Chi-square tests were used.
Results:
Thirty-one videos met the inclusion criteria. The majority (48%) of the videos were found to have moderate information content. Less than 10% of the videos received a good quality rating, highlighting a general lack of high-quality content. Nonprofessional sources performed better in terms of views, likes, interaction indices, and Video Power Index; however, these results were statistically significant only for likes (
Conclusion:
The findings of this study reveal that while the majority of uploaded YouTube videos contain useful information on oral health maintenance for CSHCN, the content is often incomplete and varies significantly in quality.
Clinical Significance:
The lack of high-quality professional content for oral care for CSHCN on YouTube necessitates that clinicians actively vet digital resources for caregivers. Dental professionals must evolve into curators of digital health information to counter the popularity of nonprofessional, low-quality content.