Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Author Spotlight: Oral Candida Diagnosis to Advance Clinical Treatment Regimen for pSS Patients
Published on: March 1, 2024
Web-based information on the treatment of the mouth in systemic sclerosis
Ismail Abdouh1,2, Stephen Porter3, Stefano Fedele3,4
1Oral Medicine, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University Street, London, WC1E 6DE, UK. ismail.abdouh.12@ucl.ac.uk.
Background:
To categorise the content and assess the quality and readability of the web-based information regarding treatment of the mouth in systemic sclerosis.
Methods:
An online search using three different search terms regarding the treatment of the mouth in SSc was undertaken using the Google search engine. The first 100 websites from each search were selected for analysis. Data recorded included DISCERN instrument scores along with the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks and the presence of the Health on the Net seal (HON). Flesch Reading Ease Scores, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, the Simplified Measure of Gobbledygook Index and Coleman-Liau index were calculated to assess readability.
Results:
Fifty seven of the first websites remained for analysis after applying appropriate exclusion criteria. The mean overall DISCERN score was 2.37 (±1.01). Only 4 websites (7%) achieved all four JAMA benchmarks. Only 12 websites (21.1%) displayed the HON seal. The reading level was found to be difficult to very difficult among the majority of websites.
Conclusion:
The overall quality of the available online information concerning the treatment of the mouth of systemic sclerosis is questionable and requires a high level of reading skill. Further efforts should be directed toward establishing higher quality, reliable online information sources on the treatment of oral disease relevant to patients with systemic sclerosis.
Related Concept Videos
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Cystic Fibrosis: Management
Sinus disease and chronic...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management
Pharmacologic...
Nephrotic Syndrome II : Assessment and Medical Management

