A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine on June 24, 2026, reveals a significant digital gap among 326 dental practitioners and trainees in Saudi Arabia. While social media usage is widespread for professional purposes, there is a sharp decline in awareness regarding regulatory policies, digital risks, and formal training.
Which social media platforms are most common in dentistry?
According to the study, Instagram is the most utilized platform among participants at 70.6%. This is followed by X at 62.0% and Snapchat at 53.7%.
The research noted that 33.7% of practitioners use these platforms daily for professional purposes. Participants reported positive trends regarding the role of social media in enhancing clinical skills, with an average score of 3.90 out of 5, and improving professional communication, which averaged 3.91 out of 5.
Did You Know? Only 2.5% of the 326 participants in the study achieved a high level of risk awareness regarding their digital professional presence.
How does policy awareness vary among professionals?
The study found a significant disparity in policy awareness across different professional stages. High awareness of policies was recorded at only 9.3% among bachelor’s students and 6.5% among interns and residents. In contrast, awareness was higher among general dentists at 50.0% and specialists or consultants at 56.7%.
Years of experience emerged as a key factor, as those with five or more years of experience were less likely to have low policy awareness. Regarding international and local guidelines, the study reported the following awareness levels:
- 38.0% are aware of WHO guidelines.
- 35.9% are aware of Ministry of Health policies related to e-health or digital use.
- 25.2% are aware of UNESCO guidelines.
Despite these figures, only 20.6% of participants reported that their organizations have a clear social media policy, and only 4.6% have received formal training on such policies.
Expert Insight: The gap between high platform engagement and low formal training suggests that the visual nature of modern dentistry may be outpacing the regulatory frameworks intended to protect practitioners and patients.
What are the risks regarding patient privacy and clinical content?
The study recorded a low average risk perception index of 2.88 out of 5. Identified risk areas included the legal responsibility of healthcare facilities, the impact of personal posts on public trust, and the effect of patients discovering a practitioner’s account.
Regarding clinical content, 61.3% of participants reported always obtaining patient consent before sharing identifying images. However, 19.0% acknowledged that obtaining consent happens only sometimes, rarely, or never. Additionally, 22.1% of participants reported posting images of colleagues within clinical settings.
What could happen next for dental education?
The findings place the issue of digital professionalism before health education institutions and operating entities. Because dentistry increasingly relies on case presentations and the marketing of cosmetic services, the study recommends that digital professionalism be incorporated into dental curricula.
Future developments may include intensified training on privacy, patient consent, and the boundaries of medical advice. These measures could help regulate professional publication and address the current lack of formal policy training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platforms are most used by dentists in Saudi Arabia?
According to the study, Instagram is the most used at 70.6%, followed by X at 62.0%, and Snapchat at 53.7%.
How much formal training do practitioners receive on social media policies?
The study found that only 4.6% of participants had received formal training on social media policies.
Does professional experience impact policy awareness?
Yes, the study’s statistical analysis showed that practitioners with five or more years of experience were less likely to have low policy awareness.
How should dental schools balance the need for digital marketing with the necessity of patient privacy?
