Communication skills are essential for an effective dental practitioner and constitute a significant aspect of day-to-day practice. Many malpractice complaints in dentistry arise from communication failures rather than technical errors, highlighting the need for clear recommendations and practical methods to implement published guidance. This article reviews key communication challenges for UK dentists and synthesizes evidence-informed strategies consistent with General Dental Council standards and NHS accessibility requirements. It examines socio-demographic barriers (health literacy, language discordance and disability), communication under time pressure, explanation of treatment options and aftercare, discussion of suspected oral cancer and urgent referral pathways, and the ongoing process of consent and shared decision-making. Practical approaches include plain language, visual aids, professional interpreters, structured agenda-setting and teach-back to confirm understanding. For difficult consultations, the article adapts the SPIKES framework to the dental context to support empathetic delivery of unwelcome information. It also emphasizes synchronous documentation of options, risks, benefits and no treatment, aligning discussions with patient values and legal expectations following Montgomery, and supports adherence to treatment and follow-up appointments across patient groups. Deliberate, tailored communication is a core human factor that improves trust, safety and outcomes in UK dental practice while reducing avoidable medico-legal risk. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Good communication skills reduce patient anxiety, help obtain informed consent and reduce procedural errors.
Mattey et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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