A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Oil Pulling on YouTube Shorts data

This dataset accompanies a cross-sectional content analysis examining the portrayal of oil pulling in short-form video content on YouTube Shorts. The study systematically analyzed 47 publicly accessible videos retrieved using the search term “oil pulling.” Each video was coded for speaker type, stance toward oil pulling, cited benefits and risks, reference to scientific evidence, engagement metrics (likes, views, duration), and content characteristics (e.g., recommendations, disclaimers, tone). The analysis is grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), with a focus on how modeled behaviors and perceived credibility of speakers influence viewers’ oral hygiene attitudes and practices. The dataset includes a structured spreadsheet listing video URLs, speaker classifications, coded variables, and summary statistics. This resource supports transparency, reproducibility, and further research on digital oral health communication, social media influence, and misinformation.