Dr. Jason Lipscomb—Social Media Expert for Dentists
Jul 21st, 2010 | Category: Featured Articles
Dr. Jason Lipscomb, a Virginia general dentist, has become one of the leading authorities on the use of social media by dentists. Social media refers to Facebook, Twitter and other Web-based applications that often employ user-generated content to attract the attention of consumers—in this case dental patients.
According to Dr. Lipscomb, he developed this expertise while trying to build up his Richmond, Virginia, practice a couple of years ago with MySpace. Once Facebook and Twitter came along, people on the street actually recognized him.
He has worked with a wide range of dental specialists, including orthodontists and pediatric dentists. Dr. Lipscomb discovered that social media works particularly well for orthodontists and pediatric dentists because the decision-makers tend to be relatively young moms who are often Twitter and Facebook users.
Dr. Lipscomb has found that the main thing holding more dentists back from using social media is fear of the unknown and a concern that one cannot control exactly what is being said about them. He points out that patients will talk about you anyway. Therefore, you might as well navigate the conversation by using social media.
One area where dentists sometimes get themselves in trouble is by making statements on Facebook or Twitter that they later regret. He warns that a dentist should not say anything through social media that they would be uncomfortable saying “in front of their grandmother.” He also warns that some dentists go overboard with social media. In his words, you “don’t need to be everywhere all at once.” A dentist doesn’t need everything going on all the time for social media to work.
Along with Stephen Knight, Dr. Lipscomb has coauthored “Social Media for Dentists.” The book may be purchased at www.socialmediadentist.com/book.php. He is available to speak at dental society meetings, and he will consult on an hourly basis.
Dr. Lipscomb can be reached via e-mail at Jason@socialmediadentist.com or by telephone at 540-373-1641.
