Finnish dental students use social media to educate, connect

Riikka Tanhuanpää, a fifth-year dental student from Finland, is leading a new trend in dentistry by using platforms like Instagram to spread knowledge about oral health. With a large following, Tanhuanpää focuses on preventive dental care and highlights the connection between oral health and overall well-being.

Social on the rise

The role of social media is steadily increasing in dentistry. Many employers encourage their staff to be more visible online, but every user must carefully consider the boundaries of what to share. Detailed patient information should never be shared without consent, and permission is always needed for capturing and sharing patient images.

Science & Tech

Dental photography on social media: The good, the bad, and points to consider

Miles R. Cone, DMD, MS, CDT, FACP

Dental photography on social media is at its core a convenient and economical means for self-promotion and for developing an open-access online portfolio. But is that always a...

Marketing

The truth about social media for dentists

Jake Dold

Social media has evolved drastically from the days of early adopters. With so many dentists promoting their practices on social media, where should you focus your efforts?

“I started actively engaging on social media about three years ago. It felt like a fun thing to do, and soon enough, it gained momentum on its own. Interacting with people is enjoyable, and I strive to inspire and motivate,” says Tanhuanpää.

She sees social media as an effective tool for sharing information.

“I want to share facts and correct any misconceptions—many dentists on social media post interesting patient cases and their work. You can learn a lot from these and find motivation for your work.”

Staying connected with patients

Tanhuanpää intends to continue her active social media presence even after graduation. She wants to stay connected with people, share information about oral health, and encourage them to take good care of oral hygiene.

How does she think patients perceive a dentist they know from social media? “I believe mostly positively. Patients can familiarize themselves with the dentist’s work in advance through social media and get an idea of what kind of work they do. This can make it easier for them to seek appointments. They may also get a sense of the person through social media. I also post humor, creating a more relaxed atmosphere,” Tanhuanpää adds.

After a long and demanding educational journey, the working world beckons. What are Tanhuanpää’s feelings and potential further education goals?

“Prosthodontics has been enjoyable, but then again, so has surgery. In dentistry, you must grasp the big picture, so it’s good to be interested in many things,” she explains.

“I’m a bit nostalgic about entering the workforce, but also eager! The sky’s the limit regarding what you can do in the field of dentistry and where your career takes you. I am set to graduate from the University of Turku, presumably in December. Studying has been a wonderful and fun time, but thankfully, there’s still a little bit of school left!”

Tips for social success

Know your audience. Understand the demographics and interests of your target audience to tailor your content accordingly. For instance, if you specialize in pediatric dentistry, your audience may consist of parents seeking advice on children’s oral health.

Educate and inform. Share accurate and valuable information related to your field of expertise. This could include tips for maintaining good oral hygiene, explanations of common dental procedures, or updates on oral health research.

Be engaging. Use a conversational tone and interactive content to keep your audience interested. Ask questions, conduct polls, or share quizzes to encourage participation.

Utilize visual content. Visuals such as images, infographics, and videos can be highly effective in conveying information and capturing attention. Share before-and-after photos of dental procedures (with patient consent), instructional videos on proper brushing and flossing techniques, or visually appealing graphics highlighting key oral health tips.

Be consistent. Establish a regular posting schedule to maintain engagement and keep your audience interested. Consistency helps build trust and credibility with your followers.

Interact with your audience. Respond to comments, messages, and questions from your followers in a timely and respectful manner. Engaging with your audience fosters a sense of community and trust.

Respect patient privacy. Always obtain consent before sharing any patient-related content, including photos, testimonials, or case studies. Respect patient confidentiality and adhere to relevant privacy regulations, such as HIPAA in the US.

Promote healthy behaviors. Use your platform to promote positive health behaviors and encourage your audience to take proactive steps toward improving their oral health. This could involve promoting regular dental check-ups, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet, or advocating for smoking cessation.

Collaborate with other professionals. Partnering with other health-care professionals or influencers in related fields can expand your reach and provide valuable insights for your audience.

Monitor and evaluate. Keep track of your social media metrics to assess the effectiveness of your efforts. Analyze engagement levels, audience demographics, and content performance to refine your strategy and better meet the needs of your audience.

Editor's note: This article originally appeared in DE Weekend, the newsletter that will elevate your Sunday mornings with practical and innovative practice management and clinical content from experts across the field. Subscribe here.

Nina Garlo-Melkas, MSc, is a health and science journalist who works as communications manager at Koite Health Ltd., a quickly growing health technology company and innovator in light-activated antibacterial solutions for treating and preventing oral diseases.