Are English-language YouTube videos a reliable source for adult orthodontics?

Abstract
YouTube, provides content in the field of orthodontics, as in many areas of healthcare.

Aim
This study aimed to evaluate the reliability, quality, and content of English-language YouTube videos on adult orthodontics.

Material and methods
A key word search was conducted on YouTube using two key words including ‘adult brace’ and ‘adult orthodontics’ that were determined based on the Google Trends statistics. The content, reliability, and overall quality (Video Information and Quality Index [VIQI]) scores as well as the interaction index scores and viewing rates of the videos were investigated.

Results
A total of 106 eligible videos out of 150 videos were included in the analysis. The videos were uploaded by three main groups including patients (53%), orthodontists (32%), and media organizations (15%) The mean content, reliability, and VIQI scores were 1.74∓1.48, 1.70∓1.47, and 9.00∓4.32, respectively. The interaction index and viewing rates of the videos uploaded by the patients were significantly higher than those of other two groups, whereas their content, reliability, and VIQI scores were significantly lower (p<0.05). No significant difference was found between the videos uploaded by orthodontists and media organizations with regard to content, reliability, and VIQI scores (p>0.05).

Conclusions
Although the videos uploaded by patients had lower content, quality, and reliability scores, their interaction index scores and viewing rates were higher.