Take care when tweeting

The advice comes in light of the new GDC Standards for the Dental Team which for the first time includes guidance on using social media.

The new standards came into effect on Monday, replacing Standards for Dental Professionals. Changes to the updated guidance include standalone principles on communication and personal behaviour along with new requirements to display indicative prices for treatment.

However, the inclusion of social media guidance – which also covers blogs and internet forums – reflects the growing role that Facebook and Twitter play in society and MDDUS reminds dentists of the potential risks involved when interacting online.

“Nowadays, the vast majority of people use social media as part of their everyday lives,” says MDDUS head of dental division Aubrey Craig.

“It is vitally important to keep professional and personal relationships separate. Dentists who interact with patients via social media risk blurring these boundaries.

“Before tweeting or posting on Facebook, dentists should consider any potential impact on their patients that could arise as a result of their tweet or post. The new guidance gives dentists who are active on social media clarity and direction on what they can and cannot do and should help avoid any potential conflicts of interest.”