Content Analysis of YouTube Videos That Demonstrate Periapical Radiography

Abstract

No prior study has evaluated the content of YouTube videos that demonstrated how to take periapical radiographs, one of the commonest radiographic examinations in dentistry. This study provided a content analysis on these YouTube videos. Three separate searches were performed with the following search strings: (1) posterior periapical, (2) molar periapical, and (3) anterior periapical. The videos resulting from the searches were sorted by view count, and their related videos (as listed by YouTube on the right of the screen) were also screened. Exclusion criteria included irrelevance to periapical radiography, no real patient involved, no demonstration of periapical radiography procedures), non-English video, and duplicate videos. Finally, 21 videos were included and analyzed. For each included video, the following aspects were evaluated: general settings (types of image receptor, patient age, and radiographic technique), patient preparation, machine preparation, receptor placement, and operator safety. All but one were demonstrated with an adult patient. The videos were largely based on digital imaging with the use of either intraoral sensors or phosphor plates, and mostly used paralleling technique. Several common issues were identified, such as not removing the metallic objects from the patient’s head and neck region, not showing the selection of radiation dose, not placing the orientation dot on the film or phosphor plate on the occlusal side, and not wearing proper personal protective equipment. More instructional videos are definitely required. Future videos should eliminate these issues, and also demonstrate with pediatric patients. Perhaps the dental radiology department of a well-established university should be enticed to produce an instructional video that presents the technique in a flawless presentation, to facilitate the learning of dental students, dental hygienists and dental assistants who have yet to master their skills.