Quality of Information on YouTube (TM) about Rapid Maxillary Expansion

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the content and quality of YouTube (TM) videos about rapid maxillary expansion (RME). Methods: Videos on YouTube (TM) were searched using the term palatal expansion. After sorting by relevance, the final 100 videos were analyzed for video demographics, primary purpose, information reliability, audiovisual quality, and Global Quality Scale (GQS). Also, viewers' interaction index and viewing rate formulas were calculated for each YouTube (TM) video. Mann-Whitney U test, Spearman's correlation coefficient and Intra-class Correlation Coefficient were used for statistical analyses. Results: YouTube (TM) videos about palatal expansion were mostly uploaded by patients and their relatives (51%). The reliability of the information in the videos with a GQS value >3 was significantly higher than those with a GQS value <= 3 (4.33 vs. 1.69) (P < .001). There was an excellent correlation between information reliability and GQS in videos uploaded by orthodontists and dentistry professionals (r=0.878, P < .01). Conclusion: YouTube (TM) is currently not an appropriate source of information about RME for patients. Orthodontists should refer patients to reliable sources of information on social media platforms.