COVID-19 presents an opportunity for dental teams to become ready for person-centred care

Two publications that recently appeared in the British Dental Journal mooted the position that dentistry may not be ready for person-centred care. This commentary takes up this discussion and agrees that while person-centred care is essential to dentistry, it is not without its challenges. Drawing on the multidisciplinary expertise of its authors (two sociologists, one psychologist and a dentist), the nature of these challenges is interrogated further. It also identifies opportunities for change on this position from within the literature, as well as by clinical practice. We present evidence to suggest that the current pandemic has shown that dental teams are capable of rising to a challenge and adapting to change. In this light, we propose that the pandemic presents dental teams with an opportunity to be even more person-centred.

Automated summary

The commentary agrees that person-centered care is essential in dentistry but acknowledges the challenges involved. Drawing on multidisciplinary expertise, the nature of these challenges is further interrogated, with opportunities for change identified within the literature and clinical practice. The current pandemic has shown that dental teams can rise to challenges and adapt to change, presenting an opportunity for teams to become even more person-centered.