Scrolls, screens and search bars: exploring family search behaviour and the quality of online information on molar incisor hypomineralisation

Purpose

As families increasingly rely on digital platforms to understand their child’s dental diagnosis, concerns have emerged about whether online resources for molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) are fit for purpose. This study aimed to evaluate the readability, quality and actionability of online MIH information across different platforms using search terms generated by families.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using three independent search terms across multiple search engines, audiovisual platforms and social media. The first 100 results per platform were screened and analysed using validated quality and readability tools. Descriptive content analysis was used to quantify responses and identify themes, and inter-rater reliability was calculated. Descriptive and inferential statistics summarised platform differences.

Results

Of 2100 screened results, only 45 (2%) met the inclusion criteria. Written content was often professional, but exceeded recommended reading levels, with few meeting accepted quality benchmarks. Search engine results were dominated by academic articles and paywalled journals. YouTube videos showed modest quality but limited clinical depth, whilst TikTok and social media posts showed poor transparency and limited actionability.

Conclusion

Despite high search volumes, online MIH resources remain fragmented, inaccessible and poorly tailored to family needs. Findings highlight an urgent need for discoverable, family-centred digital content and improved support for digital health literacy.