Let’s Get Social

By Clayton Sorrells

Before starting dental school, my Instagram feed was a plethora of beach pictures, friends having children and fun times. Now, my feed is filled with complex molar root canals, impressive veneer smile makeovers and gruesome oral surgery cases. Social media has been very beneficial in dental school, but, like every good thing, there are some consequences to its use.

One of the most useful social media platforms in dental school has been YouTube. I used to enjoy funny videos, but now it seems all I watch are videos on different injection techniques and ways to improve operative clinic procedures. Instead of finding a book to remind me how to place a 212 clamp or find easier ways to place a rubber dam, I can pull up a video and get a quick refresher. YouTube has also helped instructors distribute information to us. They can upload videos, such as how to festoon a denture, and we can view them while working in the preclinic lab. While these videos may not be as entertaining as watching a dog skydive, they have helped tremendously with my dental school education.

I never imagined that Instagram would help me in dental school, but it has been a beneficial tool. While scrolling through my feed, I can see work dentists have done all over the country. While I always strive to be the best dental student I can, classes can weigh me down. I begin to question why I am working so hard and giving up my 20s to be in school. Seeing these fantastic cases and the exemplary work the dentists do for their patients inspires me and reminds me that it is all worth it. How cool is it that I can also reach out to these dentists and gain insight? One of the oral surgeons I follow posted a third molar extraction case and said to message him if anyone had questions. So I did, and he responded. He was extremely friendly and helped me understand why he chose to use or not use specific instruments. These connections are helping me become a better student in dental school and will continue to help me when I begin practicing.

Facebook has been great because I can join groups and get tips and advice from dentists around the country. I had a friend looking for advice to gain more retention on a class IV composite restoration. He posted his questions to one of the dental Facebook groups, and, within 30 minutes, he had received 50 valuable comments. It is encouraging that dentists who have been practicing for over 30 years can help coach those who are new and those still in school.

Whether it’s YouTube, Facebook or Instagram, social media platforms have different ways of helping me in school. However, with help comes some drawbacks. The main problem with any social medium is how it can consume your time if you allow it. I may get on Facebook with the intent of spending just 20 minutes catching up on what is going on with my friends, but then, two hours later, I have watched five recipe videos, wished four people a happy birthday, and caught up on gossip I did not want to know. I could have been doing more beneficial activities, but instead I chose to waste my time and be no better for it. I have had to limit my time on social media because it takes away from time I should be studying or practicing for a practical. Social media can also allow others to see things you did not mean for them to see. Whether it be extracting a tooth on a hoverboard or 20 maskless dental students at a party during a pandemic, it’s hard to take it back once the video or picture is out.

Even with its great uses, people have very strong opinions about social media, and rightfully so. I am fortunate to attend an excellent dental school, but it is nice to see other ways to do certain procedures and network with dentists around the country. Despite its many consequences, social media can significantly benefit you in your educational journey if appropriately used. If there are ways that social media has helped you in your practice or while in school, reach out and let me know how.

Clayton Sorrells is the second-year AGD student representative at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. To comment on this article, email impact@agd.org.