You’re active on social media and on your profiles you identify yourself as an RDH. One day, you post something that some people find distasteful and offensive. Negative and inflammatory comments start pouring in, and you feel the need to defend yourself.

Pause before you post.

Social media offers many advantages, but some come with unanticipated consequences. In this scenario, your post sparked a strong reaction, and now you’re dealing with the fallout. What you share online is instantaneous and can leave a lasting impact, even after it’s been deleted. 

Regulated health professionals are held to a high standard, and how you represent yourself online can affect your reputation and how the profession is perceived by others. A positive reputation builds trust with clients, who rely on you to uphold high ethical and professional standards, both in your practice and personal conduct. The public has entrusted you with its care, and with this comes the responsibility to maintain professionalism.

Before posting or responding to controversial issues, consider the following:

• Can a connection be drawn between your role as an RDH and your online posts?
• Would you feel comfortable if your clients and/or employer saw your posts or your response to comments?
• Are you posting or responding impulsively and/or emotionally?
• Are you liking, commenting on or sharing someone else’s post in a way that can be perceived as endorsing their views?