INFORMATION-SEEKING BEHAVIOR OF THE HUNGARIAN POPULATION REGARDING ORTHODONTICS AND PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: A DIGITAL EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY USING GOOGLE TRENDSTM...
Author(s)
Klaudia Szalai, BSc1, Dóra Szabó-Kurucz, MSc1, Irena Ilic, MD PhD2, Márió Gajdács, MPH, MSc, PharmD, PhD3.
1University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, 3Department of Public Health, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
1University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, 3Department of Public Health, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: Oral pathologies in childhood, including dental caries and orthodontic malocclusions, contribute significantly to the global burden of disease, and may exert a long-term impact on functionality and quality of life. The aim of this study was to perform a digital epidemiological investigation of internet information-seeking behavior regarding orthodontics and pediatric dentistry in Hungary.
METHODS: A quantitative, retrospective, observational study was conducted using the Google Trends™ database for the search terms ,,fogszabályozás” (,,orthodontics”), ,,gyermekfogászat” (,,pediatric dentistry”), and ,,fogkő” (,,dental calculus”). Search intensity data were collected and assessed as raw and corrected relative search volumes (RSVraw and RSVcorr) for the period between 2013 and 2022. To analyze geographic variations, information need indices (INI) were calculated. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, parametric tests, time series analysis) were performed using jamovi 2.4.5 and PAST 4.01 software (α: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: During the 10-year period, an increasing trend was observed for all keywords investigated (Mann-Kendall test: p<0.001; ,,orthodontics”: S=+2338; ,,pediatric dentistry”: S=+4593; ,,dental calculus”: S=+1650). Furthermore, distinct seasonality was identified for ,,orthodontics” (p=0.011) and ,,dental calculus” (p=0.032). In the years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (2017-2019 vs. 2020-2022), higher RSV values were observed for ,,dental calculus” (64.34 [95%CI: 62.18-66.54] vs. 73.72 [95%CI: 70.15-77.30]). The most frequent related queries were ,,fogszabályozás árak” (,,cost of orthodontic treatment”; RSV: 98-100), ,,gyermekfogászat Budapest” (,,pediatric dentistry Budapest”; RSV: 100), and ,,fogkő eltávolítás” (,,dental calculus removal”; RSV: 100). Regardless of the latency period applied (1-4 weeks), the World Oral Health Day educational campaign did not considerably alter search intensity (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Information-seeking behavior highlights notable financial concerns and regional disparities regarding the availability of pediatric and orthodontic dental care in Hungary. Public health strategies should leverage digital epidemiological insights to optimize resource allocation and address systemic socioeconomic barriers to early-stage preventive pediatric dentistry.
METHODS: A quantitative, retrospective, observational study was conducted using the Google Trends™ database for the search terms ,,fogszabályozás” (,,orthodontics”), ,,gyermekfogászat” (,,pediatric dentistry”), and ,,fogkő” (,,dental calculus”). Search intensity data were collected and assessed as raw and corrected relative search volumes (RSVraw and RSVcorr) for the period between 2013 and 2022. To analyze geographic variations, information need indices (INI) were calculated. Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, parametric tests, time series analysis) were performed using jamovi 2.4.5 and PAST 4.01 software (α: 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: During the 10-year period, an increasing trend was observed for all keywords investigated (Mann-Kendall test: p<0.001; ,,orthodontics”: S=+2338; ,,pediatric dentistry”: S=+4593; ,,dental calculus”: S=+1650). Furthermore, distinct seasonality was identified for ,,orthodontics” (p=0.011) and ,,dental calculus” (p=0.032). In the years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (2017-2019 vs. 2020-2022), higher RSV values were observed for ,,dental calculus” (64.34 [95%CI: 62.18-66.54] vs. 73.72 [95%CI: 70.15-77.30]). The most frequent related queries were ,,fogszabályozás árak” (,,cost of orthodontic treatment”; RSV: 98-100), ,,gyermekfogászat Budapest” (,,pediatric dentistry Budapest”; RSV: 100), and ,,fogkő eltávolítás” (,,dental calculus removal”; RSV: 100). Regardless of the latency period applied (1-4 weeks), the World Oral Health Day educational campaign did not considerably alter search intensity (p>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Information-seeking behavior highlights notable financial concerns and regional disparities regarding the availability of pediatric and orthodontic dental care in Hungary. Public health strategies should leverage digital epidemiological insights to optimize resource allocation and address systemic socioeconomic barriers to early-stage preventive pediatric dentistry.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR102
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives, Patient Engagement
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas