ORAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL MEDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY EXPLORING ORAL MISINFORMATION AND FACTS IN WESTERN REGION OF SAUDI ARABIA

Afnan A Nassar, Asaiyl Alkhuzai, Jawharah Alghmdi, Huriyyah Alotaibi, Mada Algethami, Thikra Al Sharif, Shahinaz Simbawa, Hesham Alhazmi

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.2.17.92

ABSTRACT

Aim of the study This study aimed to examine the prevalence of dental misinformation and its association with social media platforms used by individuals in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods An online survey was administered to 700 participants. The survey gathered demographic data and included questions regarding social media usage, dental health myths and facts, dietary factors that influence caries prevention, and the relationship between systemic diseases and periodontal conditions. Additionally, the survey assessed participants’ knowledge of the concept of the “Hollywood smile” across various social media platforms. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for data analysis. Results Out of 481 completed surveys, most of the participants were female (85.7%), aged 18-25 years (40.5%), held a bachelor’s degree (64.9%), and resided in the Makkah region (81.1%). Snapchat was the most frequently used platform (41.6%). Approximately 60% of participants reported relying on the opinions of dentists based on their professional experience and expertise. Participants who used X (formerly Twitter) demonstrated the highest proportion of correct responses regarding dietary factors that prevent caries and systemic diseases associated with periodontal conditions (P<0.05). In contrast, WhatsApp users exhibited the lowest accuracy in their responses regarding some topics such as scaling and periodontal health, children’s oral health, and the “Hollywood smile,” relative to other platforms (P<0.05). Conclusions The findings suggest that individuals’ understanding of dental health might be influenced by the social media platforms they engage with. These results highlight the importance of promoting dental education through reliable and evidence-based sources of oral health information to mitigate the spread of dental misinformation.