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Social media use - A risky activity or a beneficial commodity?

BDJ In Practice volume 36, pages 14–18 (2023)Cite this article

  • Highlighting how social media can provide professional development and networking in dentistry

  • Key points on how to interact with patients, colleagues & advertising on social media, as outlined by the GDC Standards

  • Flagging the issues of social media including problematic and addictive social media use

Highlighting how social media can provide professional development and networking in dentistry

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References

  1. General Dental Council. Guidance on using social media. Available at: www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/guidance-documents/guidance-on-using-social-media.pdf?sfvrsn=de158345_2 (accessed March 2023).

  2. Office for National Statistics. Home internet and social media usage. Census 2021. Available at: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/householdcharacteristics/homeinternetandsocialmediausage (accessed March 2023).

  3. Statista. Number of Instagram users worldwide from 2020 to 2025. 2023. Available at: www.statista.com/statistics/183585/instagram-number-of-global-users/ (accessed March 2023).

  4. Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport. Social Networking - Taking part Survey 2019/20. National statistics. Available at: www.gov.uk/government/statistics/taking-part-201920-social-networking/social-networking-taking-part-survey-201920 (accessed March 2023).

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  6. GDC. Registration report - November 2021. Available at: www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/registration-reports/11.-registration-report---november-2021.pdf?sfvrsn=164ae912_3 (accessed March 2023).

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  8. Keller B, Labrique A, Jain K M, Pekosz A, Levine O. Mind the gap: Social Media engagement by public health researchers. J Med Internet Res 2014; 16: e8.

  9. Allen K A, Ryan T, Gray D L, McInerney D M, Waters L. Social media use and social connectedness in adolescents: The positives and the potential pitfalls. Educ Developmental Psychol 2014; 31: 18-31.

  10. Bhola, S., Hellyer, P. The risks and benefits of social media in dental foundation training. Br Dent J 2016; 221: 609-613.

  11. General Dental Council. Standards for the Dental Team. 2013. Available from: https://standards.gdc-uk.org/Assets/pdf/Standards%20for%20the%20Dental%20Team.pdf (accessed March 2023).

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  17. Memon S. How to avoid doom scrolling in dentistry. BDJ In Pract 2022; 35: 16-17.

  18. General Dental Council. Standards for Education: Standards and requirements for providers. 2nd ed; 2015.

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  1. Foundation Dentist, London, United Kingdom

    Ronan Lee

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  1. Ronan Lee
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Correspondence to Ronan Lee.

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Lee, R. Social media use - A risky activity or a beneficial commodity?. BDJ In Pract 36, 14–18 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41404-023-1947-4

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