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BDS, MA (Hons), GMBPsS, PG Cert Med Ed, MFDS (RCS ENG), MFDS, RCPS (Glasg), FHEA, Clinical Lecturer (Scholarship), Institute of Dentistry, University of Aberdeen
Good communication between dentist and patient is essential. The ability to communicate with patients about sensitive topics can also improve patient outcomes and help facilitate positive behaviour change. This article reviews ways in which sensitive topics, including oral health, smoking, alcohol use, recreational drug use and diet, can be approached by dental professionals. Dental professionals are well placed to give comprehensive advice concerning oral health. Other topics can be approached using brief interventions that can be carried out within the limited time available to dental practitioners. Brief intervention is an approach to assess and increase patients' motivation or readiness to change unhealthy behaviours. Self-help materials that patients can be given and signposted to are also highlighted.
CPD/Clinical Relevance: Structured approaches are available to assist dental clinicians to have conversations with patients around sensitive topics.
Article
Former US president, Gerald R Ford, is quoted as saying: ‘Nothing in life is more important than the ability to communicate effectively.’ Being able to communicate is vital for the dental profession.1 The General Dental Council (GDC) deems communication with patients so important that ‘Communicate effectively with patients’ is the second principle of the ‘Standards’ for the dental team.2
Communicating with patients pervades many areas of a dental professional's working life. This runs from communicating with potential patients, gaining consent, discussing treatment options and financial matters, to taking a comprehensive history. Generally, the public attends the dentist even when well, making GDPs ideally suited to provide healthcare messages to those not often in contact with other practitioners.
Dental professionals are required to record and act on information obtained through a comprehensive history, which requires good conversational skills. Some topics are sensitive, but the information gleaned can be essential to inform of risk, allow patients to make informed decisions regarding their health, for oral health assessment and for the formation of long-term care plans. Additionally, guidance exists regarding what should be recorded.3 Failure to do so may result in medico-legal consequences.
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