Introduction: This study assessed how social media is being utilized by patients of the Orthodontics Clinic and examined patients’ preferences regarding social media sites. In addition, the article attempts to investigate the potential benefits of social media sites in improving patients’ motivation and cooperation, and to examine patients’ views on the extent of orthodontics professionalism.
Materials and methods: The study is a descriptive cross- sectional survey of 101 patients over 18 years old, randomly selected and recruited from those attending orthodontic consultations in the Department of Orthodontics. An electronic questionnaire was developed and sent out to all participants, including questions about their socio- demographic characteristics, other questions intending to
obtain some knowledge about their perceptions on Orthodontists’ Social Media Usage, and its association with orthodontics professionalism. The chi-square test was used to compare different qualitative variables. Results and discussion: The x platform was the preferred tool for exploring patients’ thoughts of a skilled orthodontist. Further, the data revealed that 63.4% of the respondents
agree that sharing orthodontists’ cases on social media is considered part of their professionalism as long as patient’s identity remains anonymous with statistical significance. Moreover, participants’ views towards online consultations with orthodontists were generally positive. Conclusions:
Social media has gained a greater impact and an increasingly active role in patients’ decisions regarding their selection of healthcare providers. Most orthodontic patients use social media for online consultations and for obtaining
further information about orthodontic treatment.
- dental professionalism
- orthodontic practice
- platforms
- social media