Role of social networks in promoting oral health. Narrative analysis

Abstract

Social media [SMM] has become a tool for education and health promotion in general, due to its ability to influence the behaviors and parameters of society. Its use could increase the effectiveness and efficiency of many public health campaigns, however, by themselves they may be insufficient or misinterpreted, creating unintended consequences and inaccurate or misleading health information. It is necessary to understand the effects and the basis for the use of SMM as part of oral health promotion. The aim of this study is the analysis and synthesis of previous research, on the integration of these media in health campaigns to determine their usefulness and evaluate the respect for the ethical values of the dental profession. A systematic search was conducted, using keywords associated with health promotion and SMM. The articles included were only those that conducted a substantial study of both SMM and health promotion. It was concluded that professionals are increasingly relying on SMM to make decisions in their consultations and promote their services, due to the fact that these media are valuable tools for dissemination and information exchange. Even so, their abusive use and ethical/legal violations, can lead to damage and legal consequences. More research is needed in this area to understand the real effect of this practice on oral health promotion. Dentists who use SMM for professional purposes must be aware of the uses and challenges they present and ensure that all information related to patient care is not identifiable.