Information Quality of Instagram Reels About Non-Carious Cervical Lesions: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: Non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs) constitute a multifactorial clinical problem whose management depends heavily on accurate patient education and proper clinical information sharing. Given that Instagram has become a widely used platform for disseminating health-related content, the present study aimed to analyze the informational quality of Instagram Reels concerning NCCLs. Methods: A systematic search of Instagram Reels was performed using four English-language hashtags associated with the etiological spectrum of NCCLs. Eligible videos were examined with respect to their upload source, content characteristics, and viewer engagement metrics. The Global Quality Scale (GQS) and a modified DISCERN instrument were used to assess informational value and reliability. Statistical analyses included descriptive measures, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation. Results: Among 304 screened videos, 51 met the inclusion criteria. Most videos originated from dentists or other healthcare professionals (49.0%) and institutional accounts (45.1%). Overall educational quality was low, with mean modified DISCERN and GQS scores of 2.66 ± 0.55 and 3.17 ± 0.97, respectively. Longer videos tended to exhibit higher GQS scores, and a strong positive association was identified between visibility metrics and engagement metrics. Conversely, GQS scores demonstrated a negative correlation with the number of days elapsed since posting. Conclusion: Instagram Reels addressing NCCLs are limited in number and generally fail to provide evidence-based and comprehensive educational information. Increasing the availability of well-designed content produced by dental professionals may help improve patient awareness and public understanding of NCCL etiology, treatment approaches, and preventive strategies.