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Finnish dental students use social media to educate, connect

April 3, 2024
Riikka Tanhuanpaa, a fifth-year dental student in Finland, sees value in using social media to spread knowledge and connect with patients.

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.

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The truth about social media for dentists

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.

About the Author

Nina Garlo-Melkas, MSc

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.

Updated August 9, 2023

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