Dana Aljarooshi, Nada Feda, Renad Alhazmi, Maysaa Khojah, Mohammed Barashi, Shahinaz Sembawa
ABSTRACT
Aim of the study To evaluate the impact of social media platforms on adults’ decisions regarding orthodontic treatment in Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024, among a representative sample (337) of adults’ participants living in Saudi Arabia. Data regarding the impact of social media platforms on adults’ decisions regarding orthodontic treatment, and demographic-socioeconomic variables were evaluated using a self-administered validated questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results A total of 337 participants were included in the final analysis (72.4% females and 27.6% males). The most popular social media application for obtaining orthodontic‐related information/advertising was Instagram (28.8%). Approximately 52.8% of the participants think that information from social media is enough to make decision to undertake orthodontic treatment; 52.8% think that it is important to search social media before seeking orthodontic treatment; 60.8% feel that social media make their knowledge about orthodontic better; and 46.3% think that orthodontists should have websites or blogs to educate their patients and general public, with statistically significant associations were found by gender (P values < 0.005 for all). Statistically significant associations were found between the participants’ age group, educational level, and income level with some of the social media and orthodontic treatment investigated variables (P values < 0.005 for all). Conclusions Approximately half of the study participants trust and consider social media as a reliable source of information that support their orthodontic treatment choices. Additionally, gender, age, educational and income levels of social media users could affect their decisions regarding orthodontic treatment.
DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.1.17.32
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