Q: I have engaged a social media influencer to promote my dental practice on various
social media platforms. They have agreed to share messages and content regarding my
practice in exchange for financial compensation, as well as for dental services. When my messages are shared under their byline, I have seen increases in patient engagement. The social media influencer was not
a patient of record in my practice when I engaged them to share testimonials and other
social media content. Later, the influencer became a patient through a services exchange agreement. Using the American Dental Association Principles
of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct (ADA Code) as a guide, are these arrangements
ethical?
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References
Assessing patient experience and healthcare quality of dental care using patient online reviews in the United States: mixed methods study.
J Med Internet Res. 2020; 22e18652https://doi.org/10.2196/18652
Are social media influencers worth the investment? Forbes. August 21, 2018.
Characteristics of general surgery social media influencers on Twitter.
Am Surg. 2021; 87: 492-498
CDA Code of Ethics. California Dental Association.
American Dental Association Principles of Ethics & Code of Professional Conduct. With Official Advisory Opinions Revised to November 2020.
The plastic surgery social media influencer: ethical considerations and a literature review.
Aesthet Surg J. 2020; 40: 691-699
Biography
Dr. Nichols practices general dentistry in Lubbock, TX, and is a member of the American Dental Association Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs.
Biography
Dr. Pappas practices general dentistry in Arlington Heights, IL, and is a member of the American Dental Association Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs.
Article Info
Publication History
Published online: August 27, 2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected Proof
Footnotes
Disclosures. Drs. Nichols and Pappas did not report any disclosures.
Ethical Moment is prepared by individual members of the American Dental Association Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs (CEBJA) or guests of CEBJA, in cooperation with The Journal of the American Dental Association. Its purpose is to promote awareness of the American Dental Association Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct. Readers are invited to submit questions to CEBJA at 211 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, email ethics@ada.org .
The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the American Dental Association Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs or official policy of the ADA.
Identification
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.07.008
Copyright
© 2022 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
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