Ditch the dental jargon, teams told

The Dental Defence Union (DDU) explains that using plain English not only improves communication with patients but can help to avoid potential misunderstandings that can lead to a complaint or claim.

Leo Briggs, deputy head of the DDU, said: 'Jargon, acronyms and technical language are commonly used in dentistry. Because we are using the words day in day out, it can be difficult to distinguish what is and isn’t jargon. For example, dental professionals all understand what composite, amalgam and radiographs are, but they are not words widely understood by patients.

“By making the effort to communicate clearly and concisely, dental professionals can give patients a greater sense of involvement in their own care. When you consider that communication issues are also a regular factor in complaints faced by DDU members, using plain English can also minimise the risk of a simple misunderstanding becoming something more serious.