Orthodontic Unit, School of Dentistry, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Aust Dent J. 2020 Sep;65(3):225-232. doi: 10.1111/adj.12776. Epub 2020 Jul 9.
Data regarding the quality of information (QOI) related to orthodontic clear aligners (OCAs) on the internet are lacking. The aim of the present investigation was to assess the quality and readability of websites providing information regarding OCAs to prospective patients.
Three search terms were entered separately into three search engines. Four validated QOI instruments were used to determine the QOI and readability of the content contained within the websites that satisfied predetermined criteria. Descriptive statistical analyses and intrarater testing for DISCERN scores were calculated.
Forty-nine websites satisfied inclusion/exclusion criteria. General dentists (44.9%) and specialist orthodontists (26.5%) authored the majority of websites. One website contained the Health on the Net (HON) code seal. Cohen's kappa for DISCERN scores was good (0.87). The overall mean (SD) DISCERN score was 38.55 (8.00)/80, range 26-60. The websites authored by 'Direct-to-consumer' OCA providers recorded the lowest DISCERN mean score (33/80). One website contained all four Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks. The mean (SD) Flesch Reading Ease score was 53.92 (9.08), range 36-82.5.
The QOI of the website content related to OCAs is poor and is 'fairly difficult' to read. Website authors should consider using QOI instruments and readability tools to enable the delivery of evidence-based and easily readable information regarding OCAs to prospective patients.
互联网上有关正畸透明矫正器（OCA）的信息质量（QOI）数据缺乏。本研究旨在评估为潜在患者提供有关 OCA 信息的网站的质量和可读性。
分别使用三个搜索词在三个搜索引擎中进行搜索。使用四个经过验证的 QOI 工具来确定符合预定标准的网站内容的 QOI 和可读性。进行描述性统计分析和 DISCERN 评分的内部测试。
有 49 个网站符合纳入/排除标准。大多数网站的作者是普通牙医（44.9%）和正畸专家（26.5%）。一个网站包含健康互联网（HON）代码印章。DISCERN 评分的 Cohen's kappa 为良好（0.87）。总体平均（SD）DISCERN 评分为 38.55（8.00）/80，范围为 26-60。由“直接面向消费者”OCA 供应商撰写的网站记录的 DISCERN 平均得分最低（33/80）。一个网站包含了所有四个美国医学会杂志（JAMA）基准。平均（SD）Flesch 阅读舒适度评分为 53.92（9.08），范围为 36-82.5。
与 OCA 相关的网站内容的 QOI 较差，阅读起来“相当困难”。网站作者应考虑使用 QOI 工具和可读性工具，以便为潜在患者提供有关 OCA 的循证和易读信息。
