JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Social media has become a central tool in health communication, offering both opportunities and challenges. In Saudi Arabia, where platforms like WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram are widely used, the quality and credibility of oral health information shared online remain critical issues. Misconceptions about oral health can negatively influence individuals' behaviors and oral health outcomes.

Objective:

Our study aimed to describe the patterns of social media use and estimate the prevalence of oral health-related misconceptions among adults in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, it assessed the associations between engagement with oral health information, self-reported oral health, and the presence and count of these misconceptions.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted over 10 weeks, targeting adults aged 15 and above in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via a questionnaire distributed through targeted advertisements on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (Twitter). The prevalence of oral health-related misconceptions was estimated using descriptive statistics, including counts and percentages. Chi-square tests described sociodemographics, social media engagement, and self-reported oral health. Logistic and Poisson regression analyses were used to assess associations between engagement and self-reported oral health with misconceptions. Logistic regression models provided odds ratios (OR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the presence of oral health misconceptions. Poisson regression was used to calculate mean ratios (MR) and adjusted mean ratios (AMR) for the count of misconceptions, with a significance level of P < .05 applied throughout.

Results:

WhatsApp (89.8%) and Instagram (78.9%) were the most frequently used social media platforms daily. Common oral health misconceptions included beliefs that “pregnancy causes calcium loss in teeth” (87.0%) and “dental treatment should be avoided during pregnancy” (63.3%). Following dental-specific accounts was significantly associated with reduced odds of having any misconceptions (AOR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.22–0.78) and a lower count of misconceptions (AMR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77–0.98). Conversely, trust in social media as a source of oral health information was associated with a higher count of misconceptions (AMR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.31). Self-reported poor oral health was linked to higher counts of misconceptions (AMR: 1.23, 95% CI: 0.99–1.50).

Conclusions:

Social media platforms are essential yet double-edged tools for oral health information dissemination in Saudi Arabia. While social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat offer opportunities for targeted public health campaigns, the high prevalence of misconceptions highlights the need for credible content from verified sources. Strategic collaborations with dental professionals and content creators are necessary to combat oral health-related misconceptions.