Evaluation of the quality of internet information using Discern tool and HON seal on primary teeth eruption

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the validity and efficacy of information on primary tooth eruption that parents can get on the Internet.

 Materials and Method: Websites with information on primary tooth eruption were found using an Internet search engine (www.google.com). The first 100 dynamic linkages for primary teeth eruption were examined in depth and then evaluated using the DISCERN instrument and the HON seal. Only relevant websites that satisfied the inclusion criteria were assessed after the first 100 websites were analyzed. The existence or absence of the HON seal was assessed on all relevant websites using the DISCERN tool rating methodology. The websites that received the highest and lowest scores with the discern tool were noted down.

Results: According to the Discern tool, the majority of the sites scored considerably below the average. With 46.2 percent, the website my.clevelandclinic.org received the maximum score of 37. The lowest scores were given to 14 sites that all received the same score of 16. Only two of the sites, www.medicinenet.com and www.webmd.com, had the HON seal.

Conclusion: Clinicians should guide patients to validated websites for accurate information so that they can make the best treatment decisions possible.