Is YouTube a reliable source for learning pre-endodontic build-up? A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to comprehensively analyze the quality, educational value, and demographic characteristics of pre-endodontic build-up videos published on the YouTube™ platform (Google LLC).

Methods: The study was conducted on YouTube™ using the keyword "pre-endodontic build-up." The first 100 videos retrieved from the search results were reviewed, and 61 videos meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. After assessing the demographic characteristics of the videos, viewing rates and interaction indices were calculated. The quality of the videos was evaluated using the DISCERN instrument and the Global Quality Scale (GQS). Statistical analyses were performed on the obtained results.

Results: A total of 61 videos were analyzed, of which 56% were uploaded by endodontists. The majority of the videos were found to be of low quality. As the DISCERN score increased, video duration, number of likes, number of comments, and view rate also increased. Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between the DISCERN score and the GQS value (p = 0.004). The relationship between video upload sources and various parameters was analyzed, revealing statistically significant differences (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Considering all the evaluation methods used in this study, it is evident that the number of high-quality videos is low. This finding indicates that YouTube™ does not provide sufficient information on pre-endodontic build-up. To enhance its reliability as a source of medical information, YouTube™ should prioritize content that is not only popular but also accurate and of high quality, preferably created or endorsed by professionals.