Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Undergraduates and Dental Practitioners Towards the Role of Social Media Trends in Shaping Aesthetic Dentistry in Pakistan
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Background: Social media has become an influential source of dental information, aesthetic comparison, and treatment expectation formation. In aesthetic dentistry, visually oriented platforms may increase patient awareness but may also promote unrealistic smile standards, misleading product claims, and ethical challenges in online professional communication. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported practices of dental undergraduates and practitioners in Pakistan regarding the perceived role of social media trends in shaping aesthetic dentistry. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study included 253 dental students and practitioners recruited through online dental groups and academic networks. Data were collected using a structured electronic questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies and percentages, while associations between categorical variables were assessed using chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Females comprised 75.9% of respondents, and the mean age was 25.22 ± 5.17 years. Instagram was the most used platform (74.3%), and 47.0% reported posting aesthetic dental content. Posting differed significantly by designation (χ²=13.150, df=4, p=0.011), with dental students showing the highest reluctance. Ethical concern was he leading reason for not posting (32.0%), while 94.1% supported ethical guidelines. Most respondents counselled patients regarding unrealistic smile expectations (79.8%), with significant variation by designation (χ²=15.832, df=4, p=0.003). Conclusion: Social media substantially influences aesthetic dentistry by shaping professional online behaviour and perceived patient expectations. Structured ethical guidance and digital professionalism training are needed.
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