Online quality and readability assessment of Early childhood caries information available on websites from distinct countries: A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • PE Ayala Aguirre Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil-Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo (UEES), Samborondón
  • I Aníbal Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru
  • AP Strieder Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru
  • M Lotto Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru
  • V Lopes Rizzato Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru
  • AF Pereira Cruvinel Discipline of Public Health, School of Medicine, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó
  • D Rios Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru
  • T Cruvinel Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics and Public Health, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.23804/ejpd.2022.23.01.03

Keywords:

Early Childhood Caries, Prevention, Health behaviour, Quality of information, Internet, eHealth

Abstract

AIM: To assess the quality and readability of ECC-related Web information available in English, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese language. METHODS: This study assessed the quality and readability of information related to ECC in three different languages found on the most popular Internet search engines worldwide. Websites were retrieved from different search engines using specific strategies. DISCERN questionnaire, JAMA benchmark criteria, and language-based readability formulas were used by two independent investigators to evaluate the quality and readability of websites. Also, contents were categorised according to aetiology, prevention, and treatment of ECC. The statistical analysis was performed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, hierarchical clustering analysis by Ward's minimum variance method, and Mann-Whitney U test. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. CONCLUSION: ECC-related digital contents were considered simple, accessible and of poor quality, independently of their language and authorship. These findings indicate the importance of professional counseling to empower parents in selecting and consuming adequate information towards the improvement of children's oral health.