Role of Social Media in Creating Oral Health Awareness among IT Professionals in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract

Introduction: Social media is one of the significant online venues for the exchange of health-related information. If utilized in a productive manner, social media could serve as one of the cost-effective method of spreading oral health awareness. The purpose of this study is to assess the role of social media in spreading oral health awareness among IT professionals in Chennai City. Materials and Methods: This online survey was conducted among IT professionals who use social media and are willing to participate in the study. A pre-tested, structured, closed ended questionnaire was used. Results: A total of 355 participants including 186 males and 167 females responded to the survey. Around 29 participants (8.2%) searched for dental or oral health-related information online more than once a week. The most common information searched online was dental pain (23.2%) and bleeding gums (9.9%). The study participants received frequent oral health related messages from Youtube (28.8%) and Instagram (18.7%). Conclusion: Majority of the study population use social media to receive or share oral health related information. Although accessing oral health information in social media is advantageous, concerns about the quality and trustworthiness exist among the study population which could inhibit people from using social media to seek oral health related information.