The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Abstract BackgroundAs digitalization continues to advance globally, the health care sector, including dental practice, increasingly recognizes social media as a vital tool for health care promotion, patient recruitment, marketing, and communication strategies. Obje...

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Main Authors: Joseph Macadaeg Acosta, Palinee Detsomboonrat, Pagaporn Pantuwadee Pisarnturakit, Nipaporn Urwannachotima
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2025-01-01
Series:JMIR Formative Research
Online Access:https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e66121
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author Joseph Macadaeg Acosta
Palinee Detsomboonrat
Pagaporn Pantuwadee Pisarnturakit
Nipaporn Urwannachotima
author_facet Joseph Macadaeg Acosta
Palinee Detsomboonrat
Pagaporn Pantuwadee Pisarnturakit
Nipaporn Urwannachotima
author_sort Joseph Macadaeg Acosta
collection DOAJ
description Abstract BackgroundAs digitalization continues to advance globally, the health care sector, including dental practice, increasingly recognizes social media as a vital tool for health care promotion, patient recruitment, marketing, and communication strategies. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the use of social media and assess its impact on enhancing dental care and practice among dental professionals in the Philippines. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among dental practitioners in the Philippines. The study used a 23-item questionnaire, which included 5 questions on dentists’ background and demographic information and 18 questions regarding the use, frequency, and purpose of social media in patient advising and quality of care improvement. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with frequency distributions and χ2 ResultsThe 265 dental practitioners in this study were predominantly female (n=204, 77%) and aged between 20‐30 years (n=145, 54.7%). Most of the participants were general practitioners (n=260, 98.1%) working in a private practice (n=240, 90.6%), with 58.5% (n=155) having 0‐5 years of clinical experience. Social media use was significantly higher among younger practitioners (20‐30 years old) compared to older age groups (PP ConclusionsThe findings highlight that social media is widely used among younger dental practitioners, primarily for education, communication, and marketing purposes. While social media use is associated with perceived improvements in practice quality and patient care, trust in information on social media remains low, and concerns remain regarding its effect on patient relationships. It is recommended to establish enhanced guidelines and provide reliable web-based resources to help dental practitioners use social media effectively and responsibly.
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spelling doaj-art-90a63ad9ec9a442384f24e167a0f76e12025-01-10T21:16:03ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2025-01-019e66121e6612110.2196/66121The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey StudyJoseph Macadaeg Acostahttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-0389-9456Palinee Detsomboonrathttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8756-7533Pagaporn Pantuwadee Pisarnturakithttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3092-7988Nipaporn Urwannachotimahttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-3653-6005 Abstract BackgroundAs digitalization continues to advance globally, the health care sector, including dental practice, increasingly recognizes social media as a vital tool for health care promotion, patient recruitment, marketing, and communication strategies. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the use of social media and assess its impact on enhancing dental care and practice among dental professionals in the Philippines. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among dental practitioners in the Philippines. The study used a 23-item questionnaire, which included 5 questions on dentists’ background and demographic information and 18 questions regarding the use, frequency, and purpose of social media in patient advising and quality of care improvement. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with frequency distributions and χ2 ResultsThe 265 dental practitioners in this study were predominantly female (n=204, 77%) and aged between 20‐30 years (n=145, 54.7%). Most of the participants were general practitioners (n=260, 98.1%) working in a private practice (n=240, 90.6%), with 58.5% (n=155) having 0‐5 years of clinical experience. Social media use was significantly higher among younger practitioners (20‐30 years old) compared to older age groups (PP ConclusionsThe findings highlight that social media is widely used among younger dental practitioners, primarily for education, communication, and marketing purposes. While social media use is associated with perceived improvements in practice quality and patient care, trust in information on social media remains low, and concerns remain regarding its effect on patient relationships. It is recommended to establish enhanced guidelines and provide reliable web-based resources to help dental practitioners use social media effectively and responsibly.https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e66121
spellingShingle Joseph Macadaeg Acosta
Palinee Detsomboonrat
Pagaporn Pantuwadee Pisarnturakit
Nipaporn Urwannachotima
The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
JMIR Formative Research
title The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
title_full The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
title_fullStr The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
title_full_unstemmed The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
title_short The Use of Social Media on Enhancing Dental Care and Practice Among Dental Professionals: Cross-Sectional Survey Study
title_sort use of social media on enhancing dental care and practice among dental professionals cross sectional survey study
url https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e66121
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