Understanding Fluoride Hesitancy: Mapping the Network of Topics Related to Information Searches on Google

• Grant number: 24/14750-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2024
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Cruvinel da Silva
• Grantee: Rafaela Lopes Chacon
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Concerns about the toxicity and adverse effects of fluorides are permeated by false information on the Internet. Such content is sought by users with specific interests in other health-related topics, which can also be searched for on the Web. Analyzing the relationship of searches for health-related topics can promote a better understanding of users' belief patterns and behaviors, making them more susceptible to consuming false oral health content. Thus, the objective of this study will be to analyze the predominant searches performed by users on Google, simultaneously with searches for information about fluoride, or about topics commonly addressed in messages opposing the use of fluoride on social media platforms. Firstly, a list of primary generating topics will be defined by exploring 10 seminal subjects found on the Google Trends platform. The subjects related to the seminal topics and their respective relative search values (RSV) will be recorded in an Excel spreadsheet. The most relevant subjects for the theme will be included in the list of primary generating topics. Then, the process will be repeated to determine the subjects related to each of the primary topics (secondary, generated topics). The process will be repeated to exhaustion, when no new relationships are observed between the generating and generated topics. The data will be recorded in an Excel spreadsheet containing two columns: the first for the name of the primary topic and the second for the respective secondary topic. The relationships will be recorded in different rows of the spreadsheet according to the RSV value. Using Gephi software, a network graph will be constructed where "nodes" will represent the different subjects and "edges" will indicate the connections between them. Network analysis algorithms will be applied to identify patterns of centrality and connectivity. It is expected to identify patterns and underlying structures in the relationships between the searched subjects, elucidating how concerns about the toxicity of fluorides are associated with other health beliefs and behaviors.