Social Media Use: A Guide for Dental Professional CPD Course

Course Overview
This course provides dental professionals with guidance on using social media responsibly and professionally. It covers key GDC standards, patient confidentiality, and best practices for sharing content online. Learners will gain confidence in maintaining a professional online presence while avoiding common risks and protecting their reputation.

Aims

1. To inform dental professionals about ethical and professional social media use
2. To ensure social media activity aligns with GDC standards, especially regarding confidentiality and professional conduct
3. To encourage the sharing of accurate, trustworthy, and evidence-based content to build public trust

Objectives

By the end of this course, learners should be able to:

1. Understand which GDC standards apply to social media use
2. Identify potential risks associated with maintaining a professional online presence
3. Engage with patients and the public on social media in an ethical and appropriate manner
4. Handle negative feedback professionally and avoid common online mistakes

Outcomes

• Greater confidence in using social media professionally
• Clear understanding of GDC standards relating to online behaviour
• Improved trust and engagement from patients and the public
• Reduced risk of legal or reputational damage due to poor online conduct

GDC outcomes:

C, D

Review Date:

January 2027