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Waseem Ramzan,
Nazia Lone,
Mohsin Siddiq,
- Senior Resident, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinaga, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Head, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Abstract
Background: Social media has become a key source of health information for parents, but its role in shaping pediatric dental treatment decisions is poorly understood. Aim: To evaluate the influence of social media and online influencers on parents’ decisions regarding pediatric dental treatments. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 240 parents of children aged 3–14 years in Kanpur, India. A total of 228 complete questionnaires were included for final analysis. A validated questionnaire was used to assess (i) social media exposure index (SMEI), (ii) influencer impact score (IIS), (iii) digital health literacy, and (iv) self-reported social media–influenced decisions (SMID). Descriptive statistics, chi-square, correlation, and multivariable logistic regression were applied. Results: Of 240 participants (response rate 95%), 228 questionnaires were complete for analysis. Mean age of parents was 34.8 ± 6.7 years; 62.7% mothers, 37.3% fathers. Overall, 46.9% reported that social media had influenced at least one pediatric dental treatment decision. Instagram (72.8%) and YouTube (61.8%) were the most used platforms for dental information. Parents with high SMEI scores (≥17) had nearly 3-fold higher odds of being influenced (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.64–5.03, p < 0.001). Similarly, parents with high IIS (≥15) were strongly associated with SMID (AOR = 3.21, 95% CI: 1.82–5.67, p < 0.001). Digital health literacy was protective: higher literacy scores were associated with lower odds of SMID (AOR = 0.71 per 1-point increase, 95% CI: 0.59–0.84, p < 0.001). Domains most influenced were esthetic treatments (38.1%) and early orthodontics (33.8%), while pulp therapy decisions were least affected (12.7%). Conclusion: Nearly half of Indian parents reported social media influence in pediatric dental decision-making, with esthetic and orthodontic treatments most affected. Dentists should recognize the role of influencers in parental choices and reinforce digital health literacy to counter misinformation.
Keywords: Social media, online influencers, parental decision making, digital health literacy,
[This article belongs to Research and Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry ]
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Research and Reviews: A Journal of Dentistry
| Volume | 17 | |
| Issue | 02 | |
| Received | 23/04/2026 | |
| Accepted | 28/05/2026 | |
| Published | 24/08/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 123 Days |