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.