Assessment of Influence of Internet toward Dental Treatment: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the Internet toward dental treatment among the general population. Background: Over the past few years, there has been a significant interest among health practitioners, researchers, and health centers in utilizing social networking sites for health-related purposes. Social media (SM) platforms have also proven to be effective in reaching out to a wider range of individuals, including those who may not have been previously considered interested in oral health. This study aimed in assessing the influence of the Internet toward dental treatment. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey that involved 434 individuals from the general population. A self-structured questionnaire consisting of 20 closed-ended questions was used to gather data. The questions were created through an online Google Form, and it was circulated among the study participants through online mode. With the use of the statistical analysis tool SPSS software version 23.0, the data were systematically collected. Results: In our study, students made up the majority of the study participants (58%), followed by those with independent employment (23%) and those with private employment (18%). The participants were requested to indicate their preferred dental treatment option from the following list. Among the participants, more than 41% said they would go to a dental office, 31% said they would search online to compare their dental symptoms, and 24% said they would try home remedies. Conclusion: The Internet as a web of social networking has become incumbent on health professionals to promote information by the most effective means. Based on the present findings, there is a possibility for dental practices to enhance patient interaction and engagement by adopting a more proactive approach toward SM. This could potentially lead to increased patient involvement.