(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
DR. HELEN Mo is a social media influencer.
She practices in San Francisco from where she posts @the.dentistmom. Her social media followers are huge: 232,000.
‘’One of the most powerful things about being a dentist is that we treat a preventable disease,’’ she tells the American Dental Association whose ADA News profiled her influence.
‘’My content focuses on infant oral health to teach healthy habits (as early as birth), and to encourage parents to establish a dental home for their child as early as they can.’’
She started her account after becoming a mother. ‘’I realized how challenging it was as a new parent, and how difficult it was to navigate motherhood with so many conflicting messages of what the right thing is for your child. This led me to create evidence-based content that could be helpful for new parents, but structured in small steps that are realistic and achievable for a parent who may be overwhelmed.
‘’I also try to incorporate my own experiences with my daughter Olivia into my content. I want my page to be trustworthy, authentic, and relatable.’’
Dr. Mo’s mother was a dentist who influenced her perception of dentistry.
‘’I loved the flow of her office, the amount of different procedures she accomplished in a day, and how she was also a strong businesswoman. Mostly, it was powerful seeing the types of connections she had with her patients. I knew I wanted to be in a profession where I could have the same experiences.’’
To be honest, she says, ‘’I never imagined myself as an “influencer.”
But with the unexpected growth of her Instagram account, Dr. Mo realized that an “influencer” means ‘’creating change and inspiring others.
‘’I think every child has the potential to have a lifetime of positive oral health, and I believe every parent has the ability to provide this foundation for their child — if given the right tools and education.
‘’My platform is more than a social media account. It is a community for parents to come together, to feel motivated, and to support each other. With this collective unity, we can build a new mindset, highlighting the message that baby teeth matter, and the value in establishing healthy habits early.’’
Dr. Sully Sullivan(@millennialdentist) of Nashville, Tennessee, has 12,500 followers. She also hosts The Millennial Dentist podcast
Dr. Sullivan is a fourth-generation dentist. ‘’I have always felt like I was good in the sciences, so the medical field felt like a natural choice.’’
When she saw the combination of being her own boss, getting to help people, and learning to fix things and use that artistic side, she fell in love with dentistry. ‘’I felt like it was the second half of dental school when we got into clinic that I knew this was going to be an awesome career.’’
Ms. Charlotte Drumi (@futuredr.drumi) is a fourth-year student at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in California. She already has 18,400 social media followers.
‘’Most of my content is the everyday life of a dental student, along with tips or inspirational content because let’s be real, this journey is a grueling one.’’
Dentistry was never her initial plan. Originally from Russia, Ms. Drumi was about 13 years old when she translated for a dentist who came to her hometown to provide dental care in an underserved community.
‘’I was inspired by his skills and dedication. This was a moment I knew dentistry is my calling.’’
She sees her posts as a way to connect, rather than influence. Her goal is to inspire others to pursue their calling in life, ‘’despite all odds.’’
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
