Reducing interpersonal stress in dental practice

Inherent in the dental situation is the potential for a great deal of interpersonal stress. While the particular areas of stressful interaction are as numerous and varied as are the approaches to deal with such situations, what may be of ultimate importance is what an individual tells himself or herself about such situations. Stresses become distressful when we interpret them as terrible, unfair, or catastrophic, rather than an unfortunate or undersirable, perhaps the inevitable result of the general nature of the human condition. We may not have the power or ability to control many external stress-producing events, but we do indeed have the ability to alter how we feel about such events by becoming aware of our self-defeating beliefs and negative self-talk, and subsequently by finding more appropriate and positive messages to tell ourselves about such occurrences. In addition, the quality of the emotional environment established in the dental office can be altered to reduce the interpersonal stresses resulting from poor communication between dentist, staff, and patient. The end result will hopefully be a longer and happier relationship for all persons involved in dentistry and better realization of everyone's stated goal-improved dental health.