subject: Q & A: Social Media Policy For Dentists [print this page] If youre visiting here a site like easy social practice, you either have a social media strategy or will be implementing one soon. A core component of this is a social media policy. A social media policy is an outline for employees of the practices guidelines for communicating in the online world. This is not intended as legal advice. We always recommend running any changes to practice policy and procedure by the appropriate legal resources. Here are some answers to questions were frequently asked at Easy Social Practice.
1. Does Every Dental Practice Need a Social Media Policy?
Yes. The practice needs it. Theres a conversation happening in the online world, and your practice is a part of it. Even if you dont have active social media accounts for the practice, your patients and employees do and its imperative to take a lead on how you are being represented online. Dont wait for a mistake to happen.
One situation frequently seen is that well-intentioned team member sets up a Facebook page for a practice and manages on their own, without dentists awareness good intentions, but bad results. With no oversight, you cant be sure whats going up is to the standards you hold. Even if you never go online, others are, and you are making an impression you might not want to make.
2. What Should a Dental Practice Social Media Policy Include?
More than you think. It must include managerial basics: what accounts are sanctioned, who is allowed to post on those sites, frequency of posts, patient privacy protection, etc.
Also, intraoffice policies can be addressed. Friending your subordinates on Facebook is a slippery slope, as the personal information that Facebook contains is a potential liability. Religious affiliation, sexual orientation, personal behavior Facebook can be a HR nightmare unless policies are in place to protect the business.
3. How Do We Implement in our Dental Practice?
A social media policy isnt isolated it should be added to your Policy and Procedure manual. Is yours practice specific? Areas of concerns should be elaborated, rules put into effect, and require employee signatures on this updated employment-required form.
