Social Media in the Dental School Environment, Part B: Curricular Considerations

Authors

Heiko Spallek, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Sharon P. Turner, University of KentuckyFollow
Evelyn Donate-Bartfield, Marquette UniversityFollow
David Chambers, University of the Pacific
Maureen McAndrew, New York University College of Dentistry
Pamela Zarkowski, University of Detroit Mercy
Nadeem Karimbux, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

14 p.

Publication Date

10-2015

Publisher

American Dental Education Association

Source Publication

Journal of Dental Education

Source ISSN

1930-7337

Abstract

The goal of this article is to describe the broad curricular constructs surrounding teaching and learning about social media in dental education. This analysis takes into account timing, development, and assessment of the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed to effectively use social media tools as a contemporary dentist. Three developmental stages in a student’s path to becoming a competent professional are described: from undergraduate to dental student, from the classroom and preclinical simulation laboratory to the clinical setting, and from dental student to licensed practitioner. Considerations for developing the dental curriculum and suggestions for effective instruction at each stage are offered. In all three stages in the future dentist’s evolution, faculty members need to educate students about appropriate professional uses of social media. Faculty members should provide instruction on the beneficial aspects of this communication medium and help students recognize the potential pitfalls associated with its use. The authors provide guidelines for customizing instruction to complement each stage of development, recognizing that careful timing is not only important for optimal learning but can prevent inappropriate use of social media as students are introduced to novel situations.

Comments

Published version. Journal of Dental Education, Vol. 79, No. 10 (October 2015): 1153-1166. Publisher link. © 2015 American Dental Education Association. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Spallek, Heiko; Turner, Sharon P.; Donate-Bartfield, Evelyn; Chambers, David; McAndrew, Maureen; Zarkowski, Pamela; and Karimbux, Nadeem, "Social Media in the Dental School Environment, Part B: Curricular Considerations" (2015). School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications. 151.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/dentistry_fac/151