Summary:

This study aimed to gain insight into the communication interactions between dentists and their patients from the dentists’ perspectives. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to better understand what dentists hoped to achieve and believed was important when communicating with patients. Ethnographic methods were also used to explore how dentists go about patient communication and challenges they face within the dental context. Participants were 27 dentists working across a variety of public and private dental clinics in metropolitan and rural regions of Victoria (Australia). A total of 110 dental appointments were also observed and audio recorded. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. For the purpose of this webinar, only the interview data results will be presented. The interview results were set out according to four key topic areas: establishing dentist’s perspectives about clinical communication goals, setting the communication agenda, what else influences dental patient communication and dentist education/training in patient communication. An overarching finding was that, within the brief period of time allowed for communication within the dental encounter, dentists tended to set the agenda and lead the discussions. However, dentists also valued building relationships and connections with their patients. Several sources of tension within dental/patient communication were apparent. The research highlights dentists’ goals and understanding of communication within the clinical encounter. The data also provides insight into unique features about dentist-patient communication and challenges dentists face in their efforts to ensure their communication is person centred.

Speaker: Darina Nirmalann 

Darina Nirmalann is an Oral Health Therapist and a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne. She completed her bachelor in 2008, during which time she completed a summer research project on patient behaviour change and Motivational Interviewing. This sparked her interest in research, and she went on to complete a Masters of Public Health at Monash University. After lecturing for several years and working in a private dental practice she developed a strong interest in dental patient communication. She believes it is the most important component of clinical dental practice and that beyond everything else, it is a relational profession during which the patient comes first. She is now completing a PhD and exploring how dentists perceive and experience dental patient communication in Melbourne.

The time shown is GMT. Melbourne time 6pm