IADR Abstract Archives
Social Media and Dentistry
Objectives: To determine the role of distinct social media platforms in the academic life of undergraduate and postgraduate students; including general dentists and specialists.
To determine whether social media platforms were used as an interactive educational medium amongst students and lecturers or amongst colleagues.
To identify what the role of posting clinical work on the different social media platforms was.
Methods: A cross- sectional survey was conducted online via email, which targeted 4th and 5th year dentistry students, postgraduate clinical assistants, qualified dentists and specialists working at Tygerberg and Mitchell’s Plain Oral Health Centre questioning whether social media can be used to interact on a professional base and if it would help to get knowledge across efficiently.
Results: According to the results, most participants appreciate the use of social media to share and receive information for educational purposes. It is also seen as advantageous as a medium to spread information amongst the population and as a marketing tool to gain patients. Some individuals do not agree with these reasons, and have suspicions due to ethical or personal reasons.
Conclusions: Making use of social media in dentistry has positive implications and can be used for online communication and knowledge can be spread efficiently. The negative effect is that once material is posted online, it cannot be removed, thus proper ethical guidelines must be followed.
To determine whether social media platforms were used as an interactive educational medium amongst students and lecturers or amongst colleagues.
To identify what the role of posting clinical work on the different social media platforms was.
Methods: A cross- sectional survey was conducted online via email, which targeted 4th and 5th year dentistry students, postgraduate clinical assistants, qualified dentists and specialists working at Tygerberg and Mitchell’s Plain Oral Health Centre questioning whether social media can be used to interact on a professional base and if it would help to get knowledge across efficiently.
Results: According to the results, most participants appreciate the use of social media to share and receive information for educational purposes. It is also seen as advantageous as a medium to spread information amongst the population and as a marketing tool to gain patients. Some individuals do not agree with these reasons, and have suspicions due to ethical or personal reasons.
Conclusions: Making use of social media in dentistry has positive implications and can be used for online communication and knowledge can be spread efficiently. The negative effect is that once material is posted online, it cannot be removed, thus proper ethical guidelines must be followed.