Tracking changes in Filipino's search trend between dentures and implants from 2021-22: A descriptive study

Background: A study in 2019 revealed that 28% of the total older Filipino population is completely edentulous and it is increasing significantly throughout the years. Methods: This study compared the trends of Filipino web searchers regarding dentures and Implants from August 2021 to July 2022 using “dentures” (D) and “implants” (I) as search terms, the Philippines as location, health as category, and Web search as database. Results: The outcome showed a decreasing trend in searches for Implants and an increasing interest in denture web searches from August 2021 - July 2022. Multiple comparisons of monthly results showed that searches for D were significantly higher than I by 25-100%. In fact, on July 31- August 6, 2022 the difference in search trend is 100%. Searches from Caraga, Bicol, and Ilocos Region compared to other regions in the Philippines were significantly higher. Discussion: The search for Implants is relatively low compared to Dentures from 2021-2002 in the Philippines. Conclusions: This study can be used as another basis that supports the need for improvement of the dental care system in the Philippines.