In every chosen profession, properly maintaining a cordial relationship with your customers remains the key to sustaining your businessand the same naturally applies in dentistry.

The role of a dentist is absolutely relevant, but many people cringe at the idea of visiting the tooth doctor. According to research, about 48 per cent to almost 60 per cent of individuals has a form of extreme anxiety or fear for dental care. 

“Somebody might sit down in the dental chair and feel pretty OK, but when they see the needle on the tray in front of them… they become very fearful and their heart starts to race,” said Lisa J. Heaton, an assistant professor of oral health sciences at the University of WashingtontoGlobal News.

For most people, the dentist can project an image of pain in their minds and this deters them from taking adequate care of their oral health. While for others, continuous unpleasant experiences in the hands of their dentist while catering to a vulnerable part of their body has left them more susceptible to dental fear.

However, a dentist should ensure that they develop and maintain a healthy relationship with their patient through effective communication, providing a conducive environment and working hard to allay every one of their fears—either through empathetic listening or therapy.

“It is important for me to build trust and comfort with my patients throughout the entire dental visit process,” said Dr. Adam Chapnick, doctor of dental surgery at Molson Park Dental Office.

Ideally, a dental specialist is a medicinal expert with extensive experience and learning of oral care, while then again, the patient is just a person who requires dental care benefits and might know about its significance. Therefore, the responsibility lies with the dentist to ensure that a patient establishes a trustworthy relationship with them.

Here are a couple of demonstrated approaches to guarantee that you keep up a sound association with your patient as you help them maintain great oral wellbeing:

1. Help them overcome their dental fear

Dental fear in patients is something almost every doctor has witnessed from both adults and children.

However, visiting the dentist for a routine check-up is very important to the oral health and general well-being of an individual. But, patients with dental fear would most likely avoid going to the dentist for oral treatments and this could lead to health complications.

To rid your patients of dental fear, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) can be an effective method. This therapy is used to help anxious patients about dental treatments to receive the required treatment without using any sedatives.

Practising deep breathing exercises with a patient is one of the ways in which a dentist can learn to work with constantly anxious patients about things such as drills and needles.

Little things like this show the patient that you care and can help build positive experiences, which in turn, decreases the probability of dental fear.

2. Build a trustworthy relationship with your patient

During the first appointment and ultimately subsequent visits, every dentist needs to leave an excellent impression on a patient by putting effort into knowing who your patient is.

Keeping in mind the possibility of a long-term relationship, building trust with your patient is highly essential, but this can only happen if you start on good grounds. Though trust isn’t exactly handed out easily, listening empathetically to your patient and talking about their worries is a great way to start.

However, never give your patient false expectations and be very clear about conceivable outcomes and not just simply ideal results. Always urge your patient to table their complaints as they emerge and be swift in reacting to and addressing any worries.

Taking a survey after every appointment would go a long way in building trust and confidence as it helps you know if the patient was satisfied or troubled by you or your procedures.

Understand that a patient may seem uncooperative or awkward due to past dental, therapeutic or personal encounters, hidden incapacitation or poor condition (including emotional wellness or cognitive problems issues), money-related challenges and social differences.

A dental specialist should endeavour to make additional attempts to provide special attention to the patientin these kinds of circumstances. The time-tested ability and combination of sympathy, persistence and resistance always equate to a fruitful patient-dentist connection.

3. Ensure to always resolve every conflict

Different reasons can lead to a dentist’s relationship with a patient to break down. More often than not, it is the aftereffect of terrible experience—be it a one-time problem, or as often witnessed a build-up of multiple issues.

Nonetheless, should any conflict arise, a professional dentist should always find a way to resolve clashes with patients in the best possible way. Speak directly with the patient to clarify matters and request if they would prefer a face-to-face meeting to trash out the issue or are comfortable with just a phone call.

However, it is advisable to push for an in-person meeting as it can help prevent future misunderstandings and other issues that may arise due to non-verbal communication.

It is important to remember that no matter the dispute—or reaction from your patient—staying professional and courteous would always leave a positive impression in the mind of your patient.