Dental Student to Patient Communication Analysis: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Dental Education
• Health Communication
• Linguistic Studies

Background:

• Effective communication is vital for dental students.
• A growing number of English as a Second Language (ESL) patients require specialized communication skills.
• Current training may not adequately prepare future dentists for diverse patient populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze dental student communication with native English and ESL patients regarding treatment plans.
• To identify specific communication challenges encountered with ESL patients.
• To inform improvements in dental education and patient care.

Main Methods:

• Pilot study involving four dental students and four patients (two native English speakers, two ESL speakers).
• Video recording of dental student-patient treatment plan conversations.
• Rhetorical and conversation analysis of transcribed interactions.

Main Results:

• Dental students exhibited three common errors with ESL patients not seen with native speakers: assuming comprehension, using excessive technical jargon, and insufficient use of communication aids.
• These errors highlight significant barriers in effective treatment plan communication.
• The findings underscore a need for targeted communication skill development.

Conclusions:

• Dental students require enhanced training in communicating treatment plans to ESL patients.
• Addressing communication barriers is crucial for equitable and effective dental care.
• Further research and educational resources are necessary to improve dental student preparedness.