Dental social media communication: what legal and ethical rules apply

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational research uses validated online questionnaires to survey three groups—dental practitioners (dentists and dental hygienists), other healthcare professionals, and patients—about their knowledge and practices around dental communication on social media. It focuses on recent changes in Italian regulations and GDPR implications, asking about awareness of advertising rules, data protection, and examples of potentially deceptive content. Responses are compared across groups to identify gaps between legal requirements and real-world online behavior and to map common pitfalls such as misleading advertising or breaches of deontological codes. Findings will inform proposed guidelines for transparent, ethical, and legally compliant digital engagement in the dental sector.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* For Group 1 (Dental Professionals): Registered Dentists or Dental Hygienists currently practicing in Italy.
* For Group 2 (Patients): Individuals who use social media platforms and have accessed or are interested in dental healthcare information online.
* For Group 3 (General Healthcare Professionals): Medical doctors and health practitioners from various specialties interested in digital communication ethics.
* Age: Minimum 18 years of age.
* Consent: Participants must be willing to provide informed consent for data collection and analysis.
* Language: Ability to understand and read Italian.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Individuals under 18 years of age.
* Individuals who do not use social media platforms.
* Incomplete survey submissions where the primary data points are missing.
* Healthcare professionals not registered with their respective Italian professional orders.

Where it's running

• Sapienza università di Roma
  Roma, Rm, Italy Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Fabrizio Guerra
• Email: fabrizio.guerra@uniroma1.it
• Phone: 3283150627

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.