Online health information has become a primary resource for patients making decisions about dental treatments, including dental fillings, a common intervention for tooth restoration. Although readily accessible, concerns remain regarding the quality and readability of such information. Accurate, comprehensible content is crucial for informed decision-making and minimizing the risk of misinformation. This study systematically evaluated the quality and readability of online information on dental fillings. Using Google, Yahoo, and Bing, 178 websites were identified and analyzed, including medical centers, nonprofit organizations, and commercial sites. Quality was assessed using the DISCERN instrument and JAMA benchmarks, focusing on reliability, credibility, and source transparency. Readability was measured using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook, and Flesh Reading Ease Scores (FRES). Medical and dental center websites accounted for 58.4% of the analyzed resources. However, most websites demonstrated moderate quality, with an average DISCERN score of 2.87, falling short of high reliability and credibility standards. Readability analysis indicated that the information was moderately difficult to understand, with FKGL averaging 8.6 and FRES at 59.2, suggesting an 8th-grade reading level requirement. The quality and readability of online information on dental fillings were generally moderate, indicating room for improvement in clarity and trustworthiness. The findings highlighted a need for higher standards in online dental information to support patient education and informed decision-making. Improved guidance on trustworthy sources could enhance health literacy and foster better patient outcomes in dental care.
Key words: Dental restoration, web-knowledge, patient education, dental filings, JAMA benchmark
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