Artificial intelligence in dentistry: Assessing the informational quality of YouTube videos

PLoS One. 2025 Jan 2;20(1):e0316635. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316635. eCollection 2025.

Abstract

Background and purpose: The most widely used social media platform for video content is YouTubeTM. The present study evaluated the quality of information on YouTubeTM on artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used YouTubeTM (https://www.youtube.com) for searching videos. The terms used for the search were "artificial intelligence in dentistry," "machine learning in dental care," and "deep learning in dentistry." The accuracy and reliability of the information source were assessed using the DISCERN score. The quality of the videos was evaluated using the modified Global Quality Score (mGQS) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) score.

Results: The analysis of 91 YouTube™ videos on AI in dentistry revealed insights into video characteristics, content, and quality. On average, videos were 22.45 minutes and received 1715.58 views and 23.79 likes. The topics were mainly centered on general dentistry (66%), with radiology (18%), orthodontics (9%), prosthodontics (4%), and implants (3%). DISCERN and mGQS scores were higher for videos uploaded by healthcare professionals and educational content videos(P<0.05). DISCERN exhibited a strong correlation (0.75) with the video source and with JAMA (0.77). The correlation of the video's content and mGQS, was 0.66 indicated moderate correlation.

Conclusion: YouTube™ has informative and moderately reliable videos on AI in dentistry. Dental students, dentists and patients can use these videos to learn and educate about artificial intelligence in dentistry. Professionals should upload more videos to enhance the reliability of the content.

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dentistry*
  • Humans
  • Social Media*
  • Video Recording*

Grants and funding

Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2024R31), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.