A mixed method study protocol: Assessing the risks of using digital and social media amongst dental professionals and dental students

Background: With the rapid adoption of digital and social media (DSM), it is evident in the literature that DSM presents particular risks common to the general public and to dental professionals. However, literature in dentistry highlights certain risks that may only be attributed to dental professionals, such as functional and financial risks. There is a need for empirical studies to understand risks in using DSM as perceived by dental professionals, and students as members of the general public. Aims & Objectives: With the aim to study risks perceived by dental professionals (DPs) and dental students (DSs) in using DSM, two objectives are: - To identify different risk facets associated with using DSM by DSs and DPs; - To develop a survey instrument to qualify the level of perceived risks facets associated with social media usage. Materials and Methods: This is a mixed method study where data will be gathered through: - Individual interview with 12 DSs and 6 DPs followed by focus-group interviews with three groups of 3 DSs and 3 groups of 3 DPs. A semi-structured interview questionnaire will be designed from the related literature about the risks associated in using DSM both from general literature (e.g. e-commerce, education, healthcare, etc.) and dentistry. - Online survey to be conducted in two dental schools to. measure the level of perceived risks in using DSM from the different facets identified from the interviews. Results: Interview data will be analysed using thematic analysis and survey data using factor analysis. We hypothesise that DSs and DPs have different perceptions of risks in using DSM. Ethical approval (LRS-18/19-8867) has been granted by (tbc) Research Ethics Panel. Conclusions: This mixed method using semi-structured interview and survey instrument designed from risk given in previous literature will provide convincing empirical evidence to assess and understand differences in perception of risks in using DSM amongst DSs and DPs.