Quality of YouTube videos on botulinum toxin management in bruxism, assessed using the DISCERN instrument

Patients are increasingly turning to Internet platforms for health-related information. An example is YouTube, one of the largest media-sharing networks in the world.

The aim of the present study was to assess the informational value of YouTube videos on the treatment of bruxism with botulinum toxin, a procedure that is becoming increasingly popular in the field of dentistry.

After collecting 30 videos for each of the 5 keywords, a total of 150 videos were examined. The following search terms were used: 'bruxism Botox treatment'; 'tooth grinding Botox treatment'; 'jaw clenching Botox treatment'; 'Botox for bruxism'; and 'Botox for masseter reduction'. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the video content using the DISCERN scoring system. Additionally, the relationships between quantitative variables, such as video duration, the source of upload and video popularity, and the DISCERN scores, were examined.

The mean overall DISCERN score was 32.3. The YouTube videos were divided into the following categories based on their DISCERN scores: very poor (26.3%); poor (61.4%); fair (10.5%); good (1.8%); and excellent (0.0%). Videos that addressed risk factors during therapy, treatment outcomes, bruxism symptoms, and the muscle anatomy had significantly higher overall DISCERN scores.

In general, YouTube videos on botulinum toxin treatment for bruxism had poor informational value. It is important that dentists recognize the significance of YouTube as a source of health-related information, and ensure that the content they provide is of the highest quality, accurate and up-to-date.