Patients are among your greatest teachers – better communication with them leads the way to brilliant, fulfilling dentistry   

  Posted by: Dental Design      8th September 2022

Throughout your career, your patients will be among your greatest teachers. Along with the educators, mentors and colleagues that will guide your work and inspire you, what you learn from your interactions with them will enable you to become the best dentist you can be.

If you’re a novice, honing your patient communication skills will be crucial in the early years, while you’re getting brilliant at the basics and establishing the foundations for future success. During this time, think about what each of them is giving you, as well as what you are offering them. They are giving you their time and their trust to ensure a smooth treatment journey, and plans that are not only accepted but completed and maintained.

A study published in 1997 looked at the factors for why patients stay loyal to a dentist and dental practice, using the results of questionnaires.[i] It found the most important reasons related to the “dentist’s behaviour and personal skills”, including how they explain treatments. Twenty-five years on, modern patients have more access to information than ever before thanks to the internet and social media. They can do their own research, say “no”, or switch to another practice or professional if their expectations aren’t being met.

The approach to dentistry now is also more holistic and patients tend to understand how fundamental their own behaviours are, if they want to stay in good oral health. In areas like implant therapy, good communication is fundamental for outcomes that last. Every member of the implant team will need to play their part, working as one to ensure patients feel cared for, reassured and – crucially ­­­­– well informed – every step of the way. 

The core implant team that will be communicating directly with patients will include professionals from the referring and/or specialist practice, such as the GDP, implant dentist, dental hygienist and/or therapist, perhaps treatment/patient coordinator etc. Implant therapy can be lifechanging, with wide-ranging emotional, social, physical and health impacts. But it is an investment, too. Whether a patient has been referred, or contacted the implant team directly, the focus should be on developing a relationship, so they say “yes”, but with their expectations managed. They may need to improve their oral hygiene first, for example; also, it will need communicating to them that this is not a “place and go” option. They will need to commit to elevated homecare and regularly attending appointments for professional cleaning and inspection of their implant. They will need to comply with your instructions and understand that the recommendations and advice you are giving them are based on the pooled knowledge, skills and experience of the implant team.

The role your patient has in their treatment’s stability starts at the planning stage, and this is where good communication comes in. If they tell you they have reservations about going ahead, listen and learn what their barriers are. If they’re talking with the whole team, you get more opportunities to gather information about their fears and concerns. If they’ve read about implant failure, this is an opportunity to review the risks extensively. Are they worried that they won’t be able to afford your maintenance programme? Start a positive conversation about how you can help them spread the cost. With clear and effective communication, along with empathy and understanding, you will empower patients to make the right decisions for them.

Quality training in implant dentistry will enable you to hone your interpersonal and clinical ability, to become an exceptional practitioner. It will give you a host of transferable skills and improve your treatment planning, as well as allow you to help more people comprehensively. Find postgraduate education that advocates lifelong learning, while equipping you with what you need to get started right away with placing and restoring implants in your practice. In the heart of London, The One to One Implant Education offers a fully accredited postgraduate diploma in implant dentistry, as well as more advanced programmes. Taught by a team with impeccable pedigree, what makes the PG course different is a substantial amount of hands-on content, supported by the latest theory. You will find a mentor, expand your network and learn how to offer all patients tailored, high-quality care and find their smile again.

Focusing on communication can enable you to enjoy your dentistry more, as well as boost your reputation as a clinician who listens, cares and has the knowledge to deliver a good result. Implant therapy is a wonderful, highly desirable solution to a missing or damaged tooth or teeth, that can be truly life-changing. When the whole team in invested in communicating with every patient, to deliver the highest quality care, they will sing your praises.

To reserve your place or to find out more, please visit
https://121implanteducation.co.uk or call 020 7486 0000

[i] Holt VP, McHugh K. Factors influencing patient loyalty to dentist and dental practice. British Dental Journal. 1997 Nov; 183 (10): 365.