Dentist-patient relationship and quality care 3. Communication

Besides technical expertise, the success of dental care depends on the behavioural patterns of the dentist and the patient and the way they interact with each other. Since communication is involved in the process of care, in many ways it is a 'key' concept of this interaction. As patient satisfaction and quality care are closely related with the dentist's positive attitudes and communicative skills, dentists need to focus on patients as 'individuals' and have 'real' communication with them.