What forms of communication have you seen in the dental workplace?

The main forms of communication dentists will be using is verbal, non-verbal and written communication. Here are some of the ways that dentists communicate verbally:

• Communicating with patients about disease and management
• Communicating with staff members- eg discussing with your nurse what
• procedures you will do today they can get it ready for you
• Discussions with other clinicians about complex cases
• Discussions with hygienists about referrals

Here are some of the ways that dentists communicate non-verbally:

• Hand gestures
• Eye contact
• Tone of voice
• Facial expressions
• Here are some the ways that dentists use written communication:
• Referral letters
• Consent forms and treatment plans
• Patient notes

All these forms of communication are essential for patient care, safety, and for the rest of the dental team. Effective communication ensures that the day runs smoothly, and the patient receives the care they need. Make sure to include specific examples of how you saw the dentist communicate in the three ways mentioned above. Try to say how this effected patient care too. Here is an example:

'I noticed how the dentist used verbal communication to describe tooth decay to the patient. The dentist used visual aids, and I noticed how this made the patient more aware of what the disease was, making them more compliant with the proposed treatment plan.'