Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Influence of social media on perceptions of oral health, dental appearance, self-esteem, and dental treatment decisions: a scoping review(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alasmari, Osama Ali; Heilmann, AnjaBackground: Social media has emerged as a pervasive force, with some emerging research examining its influence on public perceptions and treatment-seeking behaviours in relation to dentistry. While offering opportunities for health promotion, platforms like Instagram and TikTok also amplify unrealistic aesthetic standards, contributing to dissatisfaction with dental appearance and the spread of misinformation. A small body of literature on this topic now exists, which so far has not been reviewed, creating the need for a comprehensive synthesis of this fragmented evidence. Aim: To undertake a scoping review of the evidence on the influence of social media on perceptions of oral health, dental appearance, self-esteem, and subsequent dental treatment decisions. Methods: A scoping review was conducted, using a systematic search of the PubMed database. Following a rigorous screening process, a final synthesis of 11 studies published between 2022 and 2025, covering diverse geographical regions including the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, was undertaken. Results: The findings reveal three key themes. First, across the available studies, exposure to idealised images on social media is strongly associated with increased dissatisfaction with one's own dental appearance and a decline in facial satisfaction. Second, this cultivated dissatisfaction acts as a significant driver for seeking aesthetic dental treatments, with a sizable proportion of participants citing social media as a direct influence on their decision-making. Finally, a critical "trust paradox" was identified: while general trust in social media for health information correlates with a higher prevalence of oral health misconceptions, following accounts of verified dental professionals is associated with a significant reduction in such beliefs. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that social media is a dual-edged force within modern dentistry that influences patients' perceptions and treatment-seeking behaviours. The findings highlight an urgent need for public health initiatives focused on enhancing digital health literacy and for professional guidelines to be developed by dental regulatory bodies. These measures are essential to combat misinformation and empower patients to make informed, health-conscious decisions.30 0