227 - Regional Variation in Pediatric Dental Website Readability and Informativeness

Purpose:
Pediatric dental websites are a key source of caregiver education; however, materials should be written at or below a sixth-grade reading level for accessibility. This study evaluated the readability and informativeness of pediatric dental practice websites across American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry district chapters and assessed regional variation in communication of key oral health concepts.

Methods:
A total of 232 pediatric dental practice websites across the United States were analyzed. Websites were grouped by AAPD district chapter. Readability was assessed using Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE). Informativeness was evaluated based on inclusion of key topics: age-one dental visit, emergency services, fluoride recommendations, and the dental home concept.

Results:
All regions exceeded the recommended sixth-grade reading level, with significant regional variation in readability. The age-one dental visit and emergency services were consistently included across regions. Fluoride recommendations were also consistently presented. In contrast, communication of the dental home concept varied significantly between regions.

Conclusions:
Pediatric dental websites often exceed recommended readability levels, potentially limiting caregiver understanding. While key topics are generally included, inconsistent communication of the dental home highlights the need for improved standardization. Enhancing readability and content consistency may improve caregiver comprehension and pediatric oral health outcomes.