Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Adult Finns' perceptions about communication with the dentist during their latest visit
Eero Raittio1,2, Satu Lahti3,4, Anna Liisa Suominen1,5,6
1Institute of Dentistry, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate adult Finns' perceptions about communication with the dentist during their latest visit in three aspects: receiving adequate information about health status and care, being listened to and shown interest by the dentist, and being able to influence the treatment decisions.
Methods:
Data were taken from the Health 2011 Survey (BRIH8901). A representative sample (n = 5806) of adult Finns aged over 29 years old was interviewed or alternatively filled in a questionnaire. Basic descriptive tabulations, Rao-Scott chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were used to study how socioeconomic status, perceived oral health and oral Health care variables are associated with the three aspects of communication with the dentist.
Results:
Most (85%-90%) adult Finns felt that, during their latest visit to a dentist, they had received adequate information, were listened to and shown interest by their dentist, and that they had been able to influence the treatment decisions. Those who perceived poor oral health, felt visiting dentist somewhat frightening, were in a difficult economic situation, visited a public dentist, or tended to visit oral Health care services irregularly, felt more often that there was a deficit in communication with the dentist.
Conclusions:
In 2011, most adult Finns did not report any deficit in communication with the dentist during their latest visit. Oral Health care professionals should focus more on communicating with patients who have economic problems, poor oral health, dental fear or a problem-oriented visiting pattern.
Related Concept Videos
01:08The Availability Heuristic
01:21Barriers 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...
01:15Teeth
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...
01:21Tooth 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.
01:26Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...