Web search engines reveal conflicting information about 'Water Fluoridation

Priyanka Vasantavada Vasantavada; Roy A. Sanderson; Louisa Ells; Vida Zohoori

doi:10.1038/s41415-022-3929-z

Web search engines reveal conflicting information about 'Water Fluoridation

Priyanka Vasantavada Vasantavada, Roy A. Sanderson, Louisa Ells, Vida Zohoori

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Abstract

Aim: To evaluate web search engines’ informational content regarding Community Water
Fluoridation (CWF) when accessed from the UK.
Methods: The search engine result pages (SERPs) regarding CWF from Google were identified, the
content was analysed for themes and sentiments, and Google Trends information on CWF was
examined.
Results: The SERPs were predominantly in favour of CWF. Anti-fluoridation themes were observed
in SERPs that presented the arguments supporting and opposing CWF with equanimity, irrespective
of the quality of scientific evidence. Hence, a web search for CWF yields conflicting information.
Correlation is observed between current affairs and public interest in CWF.
Conclusion: UK residents seeking online CWF advice may experience confusion due to the prevalent
conflicting information, which may influence their decision-making. Dental health professionals,
Public health practitioners and policymakers should strive to improve the information provision on
CWF online.

Original language	English
Journal	British Dental Journal
Early online date	10 Feb 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-022-3929-z
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 10 Feb 2022

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title = "Web search engines reveal conflicting information about 'Water Fluoridation",

abstract = "Aim: To evaluate web search engines{\textquoteright} informational content regarding Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) when accessed from the UK. Methods: The search engine result pages (SERPs) regarding CWF from Google were identified, the content was analysed for themes and sentiments, and Google Trends information on CWF was examined. Results: The SERPs were predominantly in favour of CWF. Anti-fluoridation themes were observed in SERPs that presented the arguments supporting and opposing CWF with equanimity, irrespective of the quality of scientific evidence. Hence, a web search for CWF yields conflicting information. Correlation is observed between current affairs and public interest in CWF. Conclusion: UK residents seeking online CWF advice may experience confusion due to the prevalent conflicting information, which may influence their decision-making. Dental health professionals, Public health practitioners and policymakers should strive to improve the information provision on CWF online. ",

author = "Vasantavada, {Priyanka Vasantavada} and Sanderson, {Roy A.} and Louisa Ells and Vida Zohoori",

year = "2022",

month = feb,

day = "10",

doi = "10.1038/s41415-022-3929-z",

language = "English",

journal = "British Dental Journal",

issn = "1476-5373",

publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Web search engines reveal conflicting information about 'Water Fluoridation

AU - Vasantavada, Priyanka Vasantavada

AU - Sanderson, Roy A.

AU - Ells, Louisa

AU - Zohoori, Vida

PY - 2022/2/10

Y1 - 2022/2/10

N2 - Aim: To evaluate web search engines’ informational content regarding Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) when accessed from the UK. Methods: The search engine result pages (SERPs) regarding CWF from Google were identified, the content was analysed for themes and sentiments, and Google Trends information on CWF was examined. Results: The SERPs were predominantly in favour of CWF. Anti-fluoridation themes were observed in SERPs that presented the arguments supporting and opposing CWF with equanimity, irrespective of the quality of scientific evidence. Hence, a web search for CWF yields conflicting information. Correlation is observed between current affairs and public interest in CWF. Conclusion: UK residents seeking online CWF advice may experience confusion due to the prevalent conflicting information, which may influence their decision-making. Dental health professionals, Public health practitioners and policymakers should strive to improve the information provision on CWF online.

AB - Aim: To evaluate web search engines’ informational content regarding Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) when accessed from the UK. Methods: The search engine result pages (SERPs) regarding CWF from Google were identified, the content was analysed for themes and sentiments, and Google Trends information on CWF was examined. Results: The SERPs were predominantly in favour of CWF. Anti-fluoridation themes were observed in SERPs that presented the arguments supporting and opposing CWF with equanimity, irrespective of the quality of scientific evidence. Hence, a web search for CWF yields conflicting information. Correlation is observed between current affairs and public interest in CWF. Conclusion: UK residents seeking online CWF advice may experience confusion due to the prevalent conflicting information, which may influence their decision-making. Dental health professionals, Public health practitioners and policymakers should strive to improve the information provision on CWF online.

U2 - 10.1038/s41415-022-3929-z

DO - 10.1038/s41415-022-3929-z

M3 - Article

SN - 1476-5373

JO - British Dental Journal

JF - British Dental Journal

ER -

Web search engines reveal conflicting information about 'Water Fluoridation

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