Analysis of Instagram Posts with the Hashtag Preventivedentistry

This study aimed to analyze the posts published with the #preventivedentistry on Instagram. In this cross-sectional retrospective study, the #preventivedentistry was searched on Instagram. Data were collected between 01/10/2023 and 01/20/2023. A total of 940 posts were analyzed for type, purpose, and source. The number of likes of the posts and the number of video views were determined. Of the posts examined, 869 were images, and 71 were videos. Of the posts, 19.7% (n = 185) with the #preventivedentistry were about preventive dentistry. The content of 80.3% (n = 755) included advertisements, celebrations, information about other dental practices, patient satisfaction, and personal sharing. Among specialist dentists, pediatric dentists shared the most posts about preventive dentistry. Regardless of content, most of the posts had 0-25 likes, and only a small percentage had above 300 likes. People searching with #preventivedentistry on Instagram cannot find sufficient information about preventive dentistry. Dental professionals should use Instagram more actively to increase awareness of preventive dentistry.