I work as a dental hygienist in the Wellbeing Services County of Southwest Finland (Varha). My work is mainly patient-oriented and consists largely of traditional, hands-on tasks. I use a computer to record patient information and access digital health services for information.
After each appointment, I record the procedures performed and the patient’s background information in our patient record system WinHit. This information is then transferred to OmaKanta, where the patient can access their own records. I also use digital health services like the Käypä hoito, which provide evidence-based treatment recommendations. These shared guidelines improve treatment quality, support decision-making, and reduce variation in care practices.
I encourage my patients to use Terveysportti, a reliable health portal with excellent self-care advice—for example, instructions for massaging jaw muscles. Erovirasto also offers support for quitting smoking.
There are many self-care apps and digital tools developed for healthcare, but I’m not aware of all the available options. This limits my ability to guide patients to the best resources. I would like to have more training from my employer on the use of digital services and information on what’s available.
Last autumn, Varha’s oral health care unit launched a chat service. I haven’t heard how widely it’s used or how patients feel about it. We also have social media accounts on Facebook, X and Instagram. I think it’s great that our oral health services are active on social media, especially since it’s a good way to reach younger audiences.
At work, I also use Microsoft 365 tools, including Teams. We hold monthly remote meetings via Teams, and the platform also hosts shared folders for important documents like room layouts, patient forms, and order lists.
I selected five social media apps for this assignment based on their potential usefulness in my work or for my professional development:
LinkedIn is a professional networking platform where users can present their skills, work experience, and education, and connect with others in their field. I have never used LinkedIn before, but now I joined because of this school assignment. Friends have told me it’s a great way to network, follow industry discussions, and explore job opportunities. I believe LinkedIn is a powerful tool for discovering paths within one’s field—some of which you might not even think to look for otherwise.
TikTok is a video-sharing platform known for short, engaging content. While it’s particularly popular among young people, it has rapidly grown into a diverse platform for communication and marketing. I chose TikTok because preventive care is a vital part of oral health work. It’s visual, creative, and approachable, making it a great tool for sharing educational content in a way that resonates with younger audiences.
Todoist is a digital task management app that helps you organize and track tasks in both work and personal life. I hadn’t heard of it before this assignment, but I was immediately impressed. Dental hygienists need strong time management skills, and this app can help prioritize tasks and keep daily life on track.
X is one of the most well-known social media platforms globally, with over 250 million active users. I chose it because of its wide reach. I haven’t used it personally, but I see its value in sharing information about oral health, connecting with professionals in the field, and reading expert insights.
Facebook remains a highly popular platform that allows users to connect, share content, and follow topics of interest. I chose it because it reaches an older demographic, complementing platforms like TikTok. On Facebook, you can follow professional organizations like the Finnish Dental Association and share educational content with followers.
Social media is a powerful way to connect with people of all ages. Different platforms reach different audiences, so it’s smart to be active across several. Content can be diverse—images, videos, text, or audio, which allows for dynamic communication.
The downside of social media is that it’s not always easy to verify the source of information. Media literacy is crucial to distinguish fact from misinformation. For example, I once saw a video claiming that charcoal toothpaste whitens teeth and protects enamel. In reality, there’s no scientific evidence that charcoal protects enamel, fluoride does. Charcoal’s abrasiveness may even damage enamel over time.
That’s why it’s important to share fact-based content with clearly cited sources. When creating content, consider your audience. what works for youth won’t necessarily work for seniors. Communication should be clear, engaging, and educational.
I really enjoyed exploring new tools for this assignment. I plan to start using Todoist and have finally joined LinkedIn after thinking about it for a long time. While I’m not very active in producing content myself, I love seeing creative posts and videos from others. It’s inspiring to witness how people communicate and express themselves in new, innovative ways.
Social media can be overwhelming at times, but completely avoiding it may lead to disconnection from modern society. Balance is the key because social media is here to stay.