Dentists’ Perspectives on the Influence of Social Media on Patients’ Decisions to Seek Aesthetic Dental Treatments: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

Abstract

Social media has become an influential source of health-related information and increasingly affects patients' awareness, expectations, and decision-making regarding aesthetic dental treatments. While previous studies have primarily examined patients' perspectives, limited evidence is available regarding dentists' perceptions of how social media influences clinical practice and patient behavior. This study aimed to investigate dentists' perspectives on the influence of social media on patients' decisions to seek aesthetic dental treatments, with particular emphasis on treatment preferences, patient expectations, consultation patterns, and challenges encountered during clinical practice. A cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was conducted among 215 practicing dentists from different practice settings. The questionnaire collected demographic information and assessed dentists' perceptions regarding the impact of social media on aesthetic dental treatment decisions, commonly requested procedures, perceived benefits, and associated clinical challenges. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, while Pearson's chi-square test was performed to examine associations between demographic characteristics and dentists' perceptions. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Among the 215 respondents, 56.3% were female, and 41.9% were aged 31–40 years. Most dentists (82.3%) agreed that social media has increased patients' interest in aesthetic dental treatments, while 74.4% reported that patients frequently referred to social media during consultations. In addition, 68.8% believed that social media significantly influenced patients' treatment decisions. Tooth whitening (72.6%), porcelain veneers (65.1%), and clear aligners (52.1%) were the procedures most frequently requested following exposure to social media. The most commonly reported challenges included unrealistic patient expectations (76.7%), requests for unnecessary aesthetic procedures (61.9%), and misinformation obtained through social media (58.6%). Significant associations were observed between years of clinical experience and perceptions of social media influence on treatment decisions (χ² = 8.42, p = 0.015) and between practice setting and reports of unrealistic patient expectations (χ² = 9.31, p = 0.025). Social media has become a major factor influencing patients' interest in aesthetic dentistry, treatment preferences, and expectations. Although digital platforms provide valuable opportunities for patient education and professional communication, they also contribute to unrealistic expectations and misinformation that present challenges for clinical practice. Strengthening evidence-based communication and promoting the ethical use of social media may improve patient education, support informed decision-making, and enhance the quality of aesthetic dental care.