Delivering high quality care

Communication is important in all aspects of life, but within dentistry – or, in fact, the healthcare sector in general – good communication is paramount to delivering a high level of patient care.

As a dental nurse, I think it is always essential to consider your relationship with your patient and identify the best way to build a supportive rapport with them; no two patients are the same, so making sure that we adapt our communication style to meet the needs of our patients ensures effective support for all throughout treatment. Most practices now are largely invested in social media, and I personally think that this is a great way to offer extra support for our patients, whilst also opening up an additional channel for patients to access information. Whilst not appropriate for all patients, the use of direct messaging via applications such as Instagram and WhatsApp allow patients to directly discuss enquiries they may have and quickly receive the support they need. It is, however, always important to remember to be informative and only give advice within the scope of our practice.