How to communicate effectively in the dental office

Strategies to help you reach a positive resolution

Conversations with patients and team members can sometimes be awkward or even difficult.

When these situations arise, it’s important for dentists to have strategies they can use to communicate effectively and reach a positive resolution.

Below are four ways dentists can improve how they communicate, courtesy of the ADA Dental Sound Bites podcast. Listen wherever you enjoy podcasts or watch the video versions on the ADA’s YouTube page.

1. Understand your own communication style. Knowing how you communicate can help you adjust your style to communicate more effectively with others.

2. Be mindful of your listener’s perspective. It is important to try to see the situation from the other person’s point of view and modify your communication accordingly.

3. Use clear and concise language. Being clear about what you mean can help you avoid hurting the other person’s feelings or creating more conflict. 

4. Accept feedback. Being open to feedback allows you to sharpen your skills as a communicator.