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

The terminology used to describe individuals receiving dental care influences the dentist-patient relationship and societal perceptions of the profession. Terms like 'client' or 'consumer' risk reframing care as a commercial transaction, undermining trust and reducing the caregiving essence of dentistry. While the word 'patient' historically implies passivity, it has evolved to represent a partnership where individuals take a more active role in their oral health.Patients often begin as vulnerable recipients of care but can transition into empowered partners as their health improves. Adopting consumer-oriented language risks commoditising care and prioritising financial considerations over clinical need. Retaining the term 'patient' is not about clinging to tradition - it maintains the healthcare identity of dentistry and preserves the compassion, expertise and trust that remain at the heart of what we do.