Preferred Communication Techniques by Student Providers and Patients During Caries Management in a Teaching Practice: A Quality Improvement Study

Abstract

Background Clear and concise communication between a provider and their patient is the cornerstone of establishing a trusting relationship and is a crucial component of effective medical and oral healthcare delivery. The aim of this quality improvement study was to examine patient-provider communication during caries risk assessment sessions within a dental teaching practice.Methods: Questionnaires were administered to student-providers (3rd and 4th years) and patients (age 18+) in the Harvard Dental Center Teaching Practice from July through December 2022.Results: They were completed by 34 student-providers (50% response rate) and 110 patients. Of those students who conducted the risk assessment session, most employed simple language (100%) and discussing limited concepts at a time (65.6%). Patients preferred simple language (54.8%), motivational interviewing (47.1%), and visual aids such as models and x-rays (40.4%) to comprehend concepts. A subset of student-providers (39.3%) acknowledged hurdles in motivating and effectively communicating with patients to alter their oral hygiene habits. Over half of the patients (55%) reported difficulty filling out forms individually. Less than a quarter of them responded correctly to all knowledge items pertaining to caries.Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of “soft skills” training that facilitates productive provider-patient communication within dental education, particularly in the context of a caries management approach.