Dentists' and patients' communicative behaviour and their satisfaction with the dental encounter
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2026

A Standardized Approach to Extra-Oral and Intra-Oral Digital Photography
Published on: July 22, 2022
B C Schouten1, M A J Eijkman, J Hoogstraten
1Academic Centre of Dentistry Amsterdam, Department of Social Dentistry, Amsterdam The Netherlands. b.schouten@acta.nl
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the relations between patients' and dentists' communicative behaviour and their satisfaction with the dental encounter.
Participant:
The sample consisted of 90 patients receiving emergency care from 13 different dentists.
Basic Research Design:
Consultations were videotaped in order to assess dentists' and patients' communicative behaviour. Dentists' behaviour was coded by means of the Communication in Dental Setting Scale (CDSS), scores for patients' behaviour included among other things, the number of questions asked during the consultation.
Main Outcome Measures:
After treatment, patients filled out a questionnaire that assessed their satisfaction with their own and their dentist's communicative behaviour. Dentists also filled out a satisfaction questionnaire after each consultation.
Results:
Results showed that dentists' satisfaction could not be explained by patients' or dentists' communicative behaviour. Patients' satisfaction was mainly influenced by the communicative behaviour of the dentist.
Conclusion:
Not only is patients' satisfaction positively related to the communicative behaviour of dentists, but the principle of informed consent requires dentists also to inform their patients adequately enough for them to reach a well-informed decision about the treatment. Therefore, it remains important to train dentists in communicative skills.
Related Concept Videos
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Tooth Anatomy
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process III: Evaluation and Documentation
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Role of Communication in the Nursing Process II: Planning and Implementation
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...