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Exploring online oral health misinformation: a content analysis
Matheus Lotto1, Olivia Santana Jorge1, Maria Aparecida de Andrade Moreira Machado1
1Universidade de São Paulo - USP, Bauru School of Dentistry, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, and Public Health, Bauru, SP, Brazil.
Brazilian Oral Research
|May 31, 2023
Summary
Online oral health misinformation, often from dental professionals, frequently promotes natural products and financial interests. Fact-checking sites struggle to keep pace with its spread on social media.
Area of Science:
- Oral health research
- Health communication
- Information science
Background:
- Health misinformation poses significant risks.
- Limited research exists on dental information disorder.
- Online platforms facilitate rapid spread of health falsehoods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize online oral health misinformation.
- To analyze the motivations and sources of dental falsehoods.
- To assess the dissemination of misinformation on social media.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of 410 English websites using Google Advanced Search.
- Thematic content analysis of 318 identified misinformation pieces.
- Screening of social media (Facebook, Instagram) and fact-checking sites (Snopes).
Main Results:
- Misinformation concentrated on gum diseases, root canals, toothaches, fluoride, and caries.
- Dental professionals disseminated 41.9% of falsehoods, often for financial gain.
- Facebook and Instagram were primary platforms; Snopes debunked only 5.9% of content.
Conclusions:
- Dental professionals are key disseminators of oral health misinformation, driven by financial interests and promoting natural treatments.
- Social media amplifies the reach of this misinformation.
- Fact-checking effectiveness is limited against the volume and nature of dental falsehoods.
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