Dos and don'ts for patient communication: Help your patients understand their oral health

Patient education includes much more than giving instructions for good oral hygiene. In treatment presentations, during routine hygiene and doctor exams, in social media, or at community events -- whenever dental questions or concerns arise -- be prepared to translate your professional knowledge into terms they can understand.

Use simple language, printed materials, videos, and models to explain the subject. Patients deserve to know about their own oral health and why you are recommending any treatment, but it must be presented in terms they will understand. By simplifying your explanations and supplementing them with excellent communication aides, you can inform patients, ease their concerns or fears, and motivate them to accept treatment.

Don't act like you have something better to do. There will be times when you feel rushed. There will be patients who seem to have endless questions. Remind yourself that the patient you are with is, at that moment, all-important. Communicate as fully as you can and involve other staff members if appropriate ... in order to build the relationship.