Social Media and Online Professionalism

Social media covers public platforms, private groups, professional forums, messaging apps, video sites, blogs and content communities. GDC guidance makes clear that professional standards apply equally online and in person.

Dental nurses should assume online content can be copied, screenshotted, forwarded, rediscovered or taken out of context. Privacy settings reduce risk but do not guarantee it. An account under a different name can still be linked back to you, your practice or the profession.

Online professionalism means

• Do not post identifiable information or comments about patients.
• Do not make derogatory comments about patients, colleagues or employers.
• Do not take part in cyberbullying, intimidation or offensive language.
• Do not assume a closed dental group is truly private.
• Do not use social media to raise patient safety concerns.
• Think before sharing, liking, forwarding or reacting to someone else's content.

Humour is a common risk. A joke about "nightmare patients", "dirty mouths" or "people who never brush" may seem harmless within staff, but it can appear cruel or discriminatory if seen by patients. Sharing someone else's post still makes you responsible for amplifying it.

Social media policy

If you would not want a patient, colleague, employer or GDC caseworker to see it with your name attached, do not post, like or forward it.