Communication is often spoken about as an adjunct to clinical care – Cat Edney explains why it should be at the very heart of modern dentistry.
Communication is discussed as an added extra: something that improves the patient experience, softens difficult conversations or helps to build rapport. In reality, communication is far more fundamental than that. It shapes how patients understand their oral health, how they make decisions, how they engage with prevention and, ultimately, whether treatment succeeds in the long term.
I have been working with more technology than ever before to aid my communication and I have noticed a seismic shift in the way patients respond when they are truly engaged in personalised care.
For dental therapists in particular, communication has become one of the defining features of modern care. As the profession continues to evolve and claim its place more confidently within contemporary dentistry, there is an opportunity not only to demonstrate clinical skill, but also to lead a different style of patient care. One that feels more collaborative, more personalised and more aligned with the way patients want to experience healthcare today.
Promoting health literacy
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