Oral Health and Dental Management

Abstract

Readability assessment of oral cancer

Dipanshi Sharma*, Ritu Gupta, Bhuvandeep Gupta, Saumya Vats, Kartiki Mehrotra

Background: Online health information is being used more ubiquitously by the general population. However, this information typically favours only a small percentage of readers, which can result in suboptimal medical outcomes for patients.

Objective: The readability of online patient education materials regarding the topic of oral cancer was assessed through seven readability assessment tools. Methods: The search phrase “Oral Cancer” was employed into the search engine Google, Yahoo and Microsoft edge. Out of the first 100 websites, only 90 were included attending to compliance with selection and exclusion criteria. These were then assessed through seven readability assessment tools.

Results: Of the 100 websites identified, only 90 met the study inclusion criteria and were analysed for readability. The readability scores of online health information about oral cancer ranged from 10 to 80 using the FKGR tool, with a mean of 54.3, 3.4 to 10 using the New Dale Chall readability with a mean score of 6.2. Readability scores using the SMOG Index ranged from 7.7 to 12 with a mean of 11.5. Values generated using these tools can be interpreted as, to understand most of the material, one needs the reading ability of at least an 8th grader. Efforts need to be made to better tailor online patient education materials to the general population.

Published Date: 2025-01-09; Received Date: 2023-11-02