Communications skills in dental education: a systematic research review

Abstract

Communication is an essential element of the relationship between patient and dentist. Dental schools are required to ensure that undergraduates are adequately trained in communication skills yet little evidence exists to suggest what constitutes appropriate training and how competency can be assessed. This review aimed to explore the scope and quality of evidence relating to communication skills training for dental students. Eleven papers fitted the inclusion criteria. The review found extensive use amongst studies of didactic learning and clinical role-play using simulated patients. Reported assessment methods focus mainly on observer evaluation of student interactions at consultation. Patient involvement in training appears to be minimal. This review recommends that several areas of methodology be addressed in future studies, the scope of research extended to include intra-operative communication, and that the role of real patients in the development of communication skills be active rather than passive.

Awareness of Dental Personnel of Two Dental Colleges in A.P, on the Role of Soft Skills in Dentistry- A Survey

“…During undergraduate dental education, the main spring area which requires attention in 'dentist-patient relationship' from the first interview is the communication between patient and health care professional [11,13]. The results of present study were in accordance with the training of communication skills in the dental institutions that the dental student's knowledge and behaviour can expand to a great extent (Table 7) [14].…”

“…Carrey JA and his colleagues in their published review on communication skills in dental education mentioned that even though the learning and assessment methods are inconsistent, but the majority of the dental students are willing to learn communication skills (Table 8) [13]. The present study results also reveals the same opinion that majority of dental personnel are willing to learn communication skills [14] in their survey on the effect of class room, clinic and externship learning on the competencies of graduates from a dental school in Canada mentioned that the effective interpersonal communication skills were one of the most assessed competencies [14].…”

“…According to [6] in the US and Canada there are 40 dental schools are teaching interpersonal communication skills [6]. A systematic research review by [7] on communication skills which are teaching in dental institutions that, the 'didactic teaching' is still the primary teaching method [7]. According to Chilcutt AS, there is a lack of training in team communication and leadership which require for the dental practice [8].…”

Soft Skills of Dental Students’ Competence: What is Important for Patients and How do Students Fare?

“…Item 1 in Tables 2 and 3 highlights communications skills as a major competence that represent the broad categories of professional activity in dentistry. 18 At present, various methods have been employed and showed to aid the teaching of communication skills among dental students. 19,20 Good communication is considered as a major driver of a dentist's soft skills because it has a variety of complex elements, such as informed choice, patient education, motivation, adherence, emotional exchange, and relationship building.…”

Pacientes simulados en la formación de los profesionales de salud: el lado humano de la simulación

“…Actualmente la simulación con PS está siendo utilizada en la mayoría de las escuelas de medicina en Estados Unidos de Norteamérica 14 , Canadá 15 y Europa 16 , y también en la formación de otros profesionales de la salud 17 como odontología 18 , fonoaudiología 19,20 , nutrición, kinesiología y enfermería 21 . En Chile, el trabajo con PS comienza en la Escuela de Medicina de la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (EMUC) en 1995 en el programa de Medicina Familiar.…”