Digital surveillance: Monitoring the activity of Internet users searching for information related to early childhood caries

Abstract

This study evaluated the behavior of Internet users from seven countries through the analysis of the monthly variation of the Relative Search Volume (RSV) for queries related to early childhood caries (ECC), retrieved by Google Trends application programming interface between January 2004 to December 2020. The association of RSV with years lived with disability (YLDs) for untreated dental caries in deciduous teeth and Internet penetration were tested by regression models. Forecasting models were developed to predict the interests until December 2021. Relevant topics linked to searches were assessed qualitatively. Increasing levels of interests were observed in most countries, regarding the comparison of periods 2004–2012 and 2013–2021, without influence of seasonality. These results were associated with YLDs only in France and with the Internet penetration in Mexico and France. Searches were mostly related to the definition, risk factors, and preventive care of ECC. The interests of Internet users in ECC-related information increased in the last years in all seven countries, although it was maintained low over time. It might indicate a lack of awareness about the negative consequences of the disease in the early stages of life. Specific policies should be developed toward the dissemination of oral health information and the prevention of the disease.