Evaluation of the reliability and accuracy of YouTube™ and TikTok™ contents about storage media for avulsed teeth: A cross-sectional study

Background/Aims: The preservation of avulsed teeth is critical in dental trauma management, necessitating effective storage media to ensure viable tooth reimplantation. The urgent need for accurate information has led both professional and non-professional individuals to increasingly seek guidance from video-sharing platforms such as YouTube (TM) and TikTok (TM). These platforms have become key resources for advice on such dental emergencies, but the reliability and accuracy of this information have not yet been systematically evaluated. This study aimed to assess the quality, accuracy, and reliability YouTube (TM) and TikTok (TM) of videos regarding storage solutions for avulsion injuries. Material and Methods: A search was conducted on YouTube (TM) and TikTok (TM) on February 4th, 2023, using terms related to traumatic dental injuries, and 53 videos were included. Video demographics such as platform, duration, type, upload date, likes, and comments were recorded. Video content quality, reliability, and accuracy were measured using the Global Quality Scale (GQS), Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmarks, and Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI). Research data were analyzed using SPSS IBM 24.0 at a 95% confidence interval. Results: In total, 53 videos were examined. The average scores were JAMA: 1.70/4.00, modified DISCERN: 54.3/80.00, GQS: 3.88/5.00, and VIQI: 13.8/20.00. According to the modified DISCERN index, there were no "very poor" or "poor" quality videos, 49.05% were "moderate," 22.6% were "good," and 28.3% were "very good." No difference was found between YouTube (TM) and TikTok (TM) videos in terms of the modified DISCERN index, JAMA scores, GQS, and VIQI scoring (p > .05). Conclusions: Traumatic dental injuries are a common problem among children, and evaluating the reliability of available contents is becoming crucial for appropriate intervention. The study reveals that despite being sourced mainly from dental professionals, the overall quality of videos on avulsed tooth management was mediocre, underscoring the risks associated with misleading or incomplete information in such critical situations.