The Quality and Reliability of YouTube Video Content on Frenectomy Procedures

Background: The present study investigates the reliability, informational content, and quality of YouTube videos related to the frenectomy procedure by comparing videos published in 2019 with those uploaded in 2024. Given the increasing reliance of the public on online sources for health-related knowledge, this study aims to determine whether YouTube serves as a trustworthy platform for disseminating information to users. Methods: A total of 200 YouTube videos related to frenectomy were analyzed, including 100 uploaded before the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic (January-November 2019) and 100 after (January-November 2024). Videos were selected using “frenectomy” as the search keyword on Google Videos. Data on video characteristics, including duration, number of likes, views, comments, and upload source, were recorded. The quality and reliability of the videos were independently evaluated by 2 reviewers using the Video Information and Quality Index, DISCERN, modified DISCERN, and the Global Quality Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: In total, 45 videos from 2019 and 37 videos from 2024 met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. A significant positive correlation was identified between content analysis and all evaluation scores (P < .001). Moreover, statistically significant differences were observed in quality, reliability, and content analysis scores between the videos published in 2019 and those uploaded in 2024 (P < .001), with higher scores recorded for the 2019 videos. Conclusion: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an upward trend in frenectomy-related videos shared by healthcare professionals; however, no corresponding improvement in their quality and reliability was observed. As patients increasingly rely on digital platforms, dental professionals should contribute accurate, high-quality content to ensure informed decision-making and reduce misinformation.