Communication – top of the list?

‘We are in a privileged role in our profession. So, how can we be approachable?’

What is top of our list today? Is it running to time? Is it getting the ordering done? Or simply getting to the decon room first? Public perceptions of the dental profession vary from ours. Patients are often nervous and their senses are heightened. They will notice things we wouldn't have considered. I perceive this profession to be a caring but, on occasion, a stressful one. Running to time is a real struggle. In this age of medico-legal lawsuits, the time we spend writing notes has increased and our schedule doesn't always incorporate this. Sometimes the reasons we are sued is because we didn't communicate with the patients well. We thought we explained it all and they didn't understand. For the nurse, there is more to do, too! There are more cross infection procedures than ever before and it can be stressful as you try to organise, sterilise and set up for the next patient, knowing the instruments waiting to be bagged are reproducing behind your back!