'Client' versus 'patient': what should we call those we care for?

Area of Science:

• Dental professional-patient communication
• Societal perceptions of healthcare

Background:

• Terminology in dentistry significantly impacts the dentist-patient dynamic and public perception.
• Shifting from 'patient' to terms like 'client' or 'consumer' risks commercializing dental care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the implications of dental care terminology on the dentist-patient relationship.
• To advocate for the continued use of the term 'patient' in dentistry.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of terminology in dental care.
• Discussion of the historical and evolving roles within the dentist-patient dynamic.

Main Results:

• Consumer-oriented language may prioritize financial aspects over clinical needs, potentially eroding trust.
• The term 'patient' has evolved to signify an active partnership in oral health.

Conclusions:

• Retaining the term 'patient' upholds dentistry's healthcare identity, compassion, and expertise.
• The term 'patient' better reflects the collaborative and trusting nature of dental care.