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The Impact of a Structured Communication and Body Language Course on Empathy and Nonverbal Communication Awareness
Serhat Efeoglu1, H Ahsen Deniz2, Ahmet Tohumcu3
1Oral Maksillofacial Radiology, Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry, Ankara, Turkiye.
Purpose:
Effective communication and empathy are core competencies in patient-centred dental care. However, structured training in these skills is often limited in dental curricula. This study explored the association between a structured communication and body language course and dental students awareness of nonverbal communication, empathy-related attitudes, and patient-centred perspectives.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 390 final-year dental students at Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry. Group 1 (n = 195) had not received formal communication training, whereas Group 2 (n = 195) had completed a 39 h structured course including theoretical and practical components. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, communication awareness, nonverbal communication practices, and empathy-related attitudes. Group differences were analysed using chi-square tests for categorical variables and independent samples t-tests for composite scores, with a p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results:
Students who received training reported significantly higher awareness of the role of body language (p = 0.035), greater support for its inclusion in the curriculum (p = 0.037), and increased attention to instructors' nonverbal cues (p = 0.0028). They also reported more frequent use of positive nonverbal behaviours, such as maintaining eye contact (97.4% vs. 92.0%, p = 0.042), using gestures and facial expressions (93.8% vs. 84.3%, p = 0.028), and adjusting tone of voice (90.8% vs. 80.1%, p = 0.014). Empathy-related attitudes were significantly stronger in the trained group, including better recognition of patients' emotions (88.3% vs. 76.5%, p = 0.015), greater comfort in showing empathy (85.3% vs. 70.8%, p = 0.007), and a stronger belief that empathy can be taught (88.5% vs. 74.1%, p = 0.008). The overall mean scores for communication awareness, nonverbal communication, and empathy-related attitudes were all significantly higher in the trained group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Structured communication and body language training significantly enhance dental students awareness and use of nonverbal communication and strengthen empathy-related attitudes. Integrating experiential communication training into dental education may support the development of more empathetic, patient-centred clinical practice.
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