What Can Dentists Post? A Social Media Yes/No Guide

04 August 2026·2 min read

Quick answer: Dentists are AHPRA-registered, so their marketing is governed by section 133 of the National Law and AHPRA's advertising guidelines. Educational content, your qualifications, and how you help are all fine to post. Patient testimonials, before-and-after photos that create unrealistic expectations, guaranteed-results claims, and identifying patients are not. Here's a quick Yes/No guide by content type. 🤍

Wondering whether a post is compliant? Here's a scannable Yes/No guide for dentists. 💖

Can you post it? A quick guide

Type of content	Post it?	Why
Educational tips & how-tos	✅ Yes	Safe, and the best trust-builder
Your qualifications & registration	✅ Yes	Factual info about you is fine
Meet the team / behind the scenes	✅ Yes	Great — with consent, no patient info
Answering common questions (FAQs)	✅ Yes	Educational and low-risk
General health-awareness content	✅ Yes	Keep it evidence-based
Explaining a procedure	✅ Yes	Educational and safe
A smile-makeover before/after	🚫 Risky	Before/after can set unrealistic expectations
A patient testimonial or success story	🚫 No	Prohibited under s.133 of the National Law
Re-sharing a 5-star Google review	🚫 No	Reposting a testimonial in your own advertising counts
Before-and-after photos	🚫 Risky	Can create unrealistic expectations
“Guaranteed results” claims	🚫 No	Misleading and sets false expectations
A discount or free offer	⚠️ Only with clear terms	Inducements must state the conditions
Naming or identifying a patient	🚫 No	Confidentiality — always get consent, and avoid testimonials

💡 Testimonials are the hard line. The one to remember: patient testimonials about care are a hard no. Everything else comes down to two questions — is it truthful, and does it set realistic expectations?

The safest play

When you're unsure, default to educational content — tips, myth-busting, and how your service helps. It's compliant every time, and it's also the most effective way for dentists to build trust and attract the right patients.

Please note: This is general information to help you market compliantly — it isn't legal advice. Advertising rules change, so always check the current guidance from AHPRA (and your own board or professional association) before you publish.

Frequently asked questions

Can dentists use patient testimonials?

No — as AHPRA-registered practitioners, using testimonials about clinical care in advertising is prohibited under section 133 of the National Law. That includes reviews you repost yourself.

What can dentists post on social media?

Educational, evidence-based content, your qualifications, behind-the-scenes (with consent), FAQs, and general health awareness. Avoid testimonials, guaranteed outcomes, misleading claims, and identifying patients.

Can dentists post before-and-after photos?

It's risky — before-and-after images can create unrealistic expectations, which AHPRA's guidelines caution against. Many dental before-and-afters also risk being seen as testimonials, so lead with educational content instead.