The quality of online information regarding dental implants.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the quality of online information available to patients regarding dental implants.


METHODS
Cross sectional survey.Setting The websites analysed were UK based, owned by private practices and NHS secondary and tertiary care services. Information was collated in November 2013.


METHODS
UK-based websites were analysed using UK based search engines.Outcome measures Websites were analysed based on content and reliability. Information regarding the speciality of authors and accreditation/affiliation to professional groups/medical institutions was also collated.


RESULTS
Overall, website content quality was low, with 63% of sites averaging below 7/14 for their mean summed website content scores, and 67% of sites averaging below 8/16 for their mean reliability scores. 86.7% were accredited by a recognised national/international dental/surgical body but only 26.7% were affiliated to a professional group/medical institution. The authors were mainly dentists (73.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that the online information regarding implant treatment is generally of low quality and many aspects such as long term outcomes and complications are overlooked. There is a need for the improvement of the quality of online information available to patients in order to make the best use of this tool in helping patients to make informed choices about their dental care. The Internet has the potential to dramatically change the clinician-patient relationship. Moreover, in light of the guidelines produced by the General Dental Council (GDC) in 2012 on the principles of ethical advertising, GDC registrants run the risk of fitness to practise proceedings and medico-legal challenges if the website content has potential to mislead patients.
Academic Clinical Fellow in Special Care Dentistry, Bristol Dental Hospital, Lower Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS1 2LY.
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Ali
Dental Core Trainee, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Higher Cambridge Street, Manchester, M15 6FH.
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Woodmason
Academic Clinical Fellow in Oral Surgery, The University of Manchester, School of Dentistry, Coupland 3 Building, Coupland Street, Manchester, M13 9PL.
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Patel
D015921:Dental Implants; D007255:Information Services / Q000592:standards*; D020407:Internet; D006113:United Kingdom
D015921:Dental Implants