Think about your online interactions

Your professional, ethical and legal obligations extend beyond your clinic or office. Inappropriate professional and personal online activity, whether you are using your title or not, could cause harm to patients and reflect poorly on the profession.

The College has created an infographic entitled “Pause. Think. Post.”, to help you navigate online interactions and avoid inappropriate conduct. It offers practical tips to consider before posting on social media, forums or dental practice websites.

The infographic covers essential guidelines for maintaining professional boundaries with patients, discussing dentistry online, protecting patient privacy and engaging in online marketing and advertising.

This document complements our existing Professional Use of Social Media practice advisory, which outlines key practice parameters and standards for all Ontario dentists to consider.

Visit our Use of Social Media webpage to view the infographic, see examples of inappropriate online conduct and read the current practice advisory.

For more information on how to stay safe on social media and online privacy, visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada website.

If you have any questions, please contact our Practice Advisory service at practiceadvisory@rcdso.org.