Evaluation of the quality and reliability of YouTube videos as a source of information on oral health during pregnancy: a cross-sectional content analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the content quality, reliability, and informational value of YouTube videos regarding oral and dental health during pregnancy, while examining the correlation between quality, source type, and user engagement metrics (e.g., number of views, likes, and comments). A systematic search was conducted on YouTube using the keywords “oral and dental health during pregnancy.” Two independent reviewers from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology assessed 195 videos. Data were categorized by content quality (poor, moderate, good, excellent) and source type (dentist, specialist, physician/other). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Scheffé post-hoc tests. Inter-rater reliability was determined via Cohen’s Kappa coefficient. Of the 175 videos meeting the inclusion criteria, 49.1% were classified as poor, 29.1% as moderate, and 21.7% as good; no videos reached the “excellent” threshold. Content quality was significantly associated with video duration (F (2,174) = 26.48, p < 0.001), indicating that higher-quality videos were typically longer. Significant differences were observed in engagement metrics including view count, likes, comments, and interaction index based on the video source ( p < 0.05). Notably, videos uploaded by physicians and non-dental sources demonstrated higher engagement despite varying quality levels. Inter-rater reliability was excellent across all categories (Kappa = 0.96–1.00, p < 0.001). The majority of YouTube content concerning oral health during pregnancy is of poor or moderate quality. While engagement is high, the lack of “excellent” evidence-based information represents a potential public health concern due to the dissemination of low-quality or misleading information. There is a critical need for dental professionals and specialists to produce high-quality, accurate digital content to improve digital health literacy and ensure the dissemination of evidence-based information for expectant mothers.