The Use of social networks for sharing information about bone anchorage in orthodontic treatment

Abstract

Introduction. Patients are more likely to be satisfied when they receive more information about orthodontic treatment plan. Orthodontic patient groups for sharing experience and information use online discussion forums on social networks. Bone anchorage is rather a new theme in orthodontic forums in Lithuania. The aim of this study was to assess what information do the patients share about bone anchorage. Materials. Two open-access health discussion Lithuanian forums were searched for threads related to orthodontic treatment with terms: "microimplant", "mini implant", "bone anchorage". Data were collected during the period from February 2017 to June 2018. Posts were analyzed with thematic analysis, which involved reading all posts and marking ideas about bone anchorage in orthodontic treatment. Results. In two forums there were totaly 20,000 comments about orthodontic treatment. In total, 108 posts about bone anchorage were included in the analysis, consisting of posts by 6,800 forum users. The main posts were (1) indications for treatment, (2) discomfort, (3) treatment success or failure and (4) treatment speed. Conclusions. From this study, it is clear that in social networks, patients seek information about all aspects of their treatment. Information materials about orthodontic treatment aspects should be given to all patients.