A strong dentist-patient relationship rests on mutual respect and open, clear communication. Dental care involves preventive and restorative treatment; a relationship forms the foundation of recommended clinical procedures. When patients and providers communicate throughout the course of care, each interaction reinforces the patient’s opinion of the dentist and the care provided.
Building Trust With Your Dentist
Trust supports the dentist-patient relationship. A dentist relies on accurate information to assess oral health needs and design an appropriate treatment plan; patients provide a comprehensive picture of their current medical conditions. When patients share information about their overall health, prescribed or recreational drug use, and compliance with home care instructions, specialists can use those details to assess dental health needs and recommend treatment.
Communicating Clearly at Each Visit
Clear communication supports the dentist-patient relationship. A dentist limits technical language when discussing diagnostic tests, oral exams, radiographs, photographs, or surgical treatment; plain language helps explain findings and procedures. When specialists communicate with patients about their care, each interaction reinforces the patient’s opinion of the dentist and the care provided.
Positive experiences establish and strengthen positive relationships. Genuine dialogue can clear up misunderstandings about treatment plans, treatment goals, possible risks, or fees; dentists remain open to discussing patient complaints or concerns. When questions or concerns arise during care, clear communication provides an opportunity to discuss the matter directly.
Addressing Complaints and Concerns
Problems can occur in dentist-patient relationships. Complaints can result from misunderstandings about treatment plans, treatment goals, possible risks, or fees; open discussion can help clear up the matter. When a patient makes a complaint, the issue may signify miscommunication or a breakdown in the communication process rather than a lack of clinical ability.
Patients with complaints want to be heard. Some seek an explanation, an apology, or appropriate remedial action, while others want acknowledgment and enough time to explain their concern. When dentists listen actively and respond with honesty and attention, patients have an opportunity to explain the issues that prompted their complaints. Research has identified behaviors among dentists who receive fewer complaints:
- They spend more time with patients during visits and get to know them well.
- They listen actively, maintain a warm and friendly atmosphere, and engage with patients in a friendly manner.
Managing Errors Responsibly
Errors or omissions can occur in dental care. When a specialist makes an error or omission, remedial action addresses the mistake; that action may require a referral to a specialist. If prompt action is required and a specialist referral is needed, the practice arranges and schedules the referral and includes the reason for the referral and the area to be examined or treated.
Concealing an error can conflict with a dentist’s duty of honesty and fair dealing. They may take remedial action and communicate honestly about an injury, while an apology for the injury does not necessarily represent an admission of wrongdoing. When specialists conceal errors or misrepresent the cause or nature of an injury, that conduct can contribute to a malpractice claim that candor might otherwise have avoided.
Strengthen Your Dental Partnership Today
A dentist-patient relationship involves trust, communication, and honest exchange. Patients provide information about their health and care; they use that information when assessing dental health needs and designing treatment plans. When everyone communicates openly about care, concerns, and treatment, the relationship provides the foundation for recommended clinical procedures.
