Fluoride-related YouTube videos: A cross-sectional study of video contents by upload sources

Corey H. Basch, Elizabeth B. Blankenship, Mary Elizabeth Goff, Jingjing Yin, Charles E. Basch, Aurea J. DeLeon, Isaac Chun Hai Fung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe characteristics of the most widely viewed fluoride-related videos on the video sharing website, YouTube, and to compare the content of videos uploaded from different sources.Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 100 fluoride-related, English language videos were manually coded and statistically analyzed.Results: A majority of videos were consumer-generated. Videos that were consumer-generated had the most views of any source (9,737,845 views; 69.32%). Compared to consumer-generated videos, videos uploaded by a professional source were 15.52 times as likely to mention fluoridated toothpaste (Odds ratio, OR=15.52, 95% CI, 1.92, 125.35), 5.04 times as likely to mention the need for training of health personnel (OR=5.04, 95% CI, 1.15, 22.02), 9.69 times as likely to mention the benefits of fluoride on teeth (OR=9.69; 95% CI, 2.01, 46.81), 3.52 times as likely to mention that too much fluoride is negative (OR=3.52, 95% CI, 1.06, 11.73), and 3.44 times as likely to mention the dangers of fluoride use in children 1-5 years old (OR=3.44, 95% CI, 1.05, 11.23).Conclusion: Widely-viewed fluoride-related information on YouTube has an anti-fluoride sentiment, focusing more on the danger of fluoride rather than its benefits.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-53
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Dental Hygiene
Volume92
Issue number6
StatePublished - Dec 1 2018

Keywords

  • caries prevention
  • fluoridated toothpaste
  • fluoride
  • social media
  • YouTube

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