Did Dental School Teach You Communication Skills? Two incidents in the last week have sparked a lot of thought about dentists and communication; I have been asked to write an article about the communication gap that often exists between patient and dentist when it comes to treatment planning, and I am working with a new grad associates who is going through the earliest growing pains of private practice life.
Two of my coaching clients are associate dentists in their first year of private practice work. I marvel at the complexities of their lives, the angst about debt load and making a living, fitting into the routines of a practice, and reality of battling the steep learning curve of applying fairly new skills in a real life setting.
- How do you communicate with a dummy?
Communication comes into play in a significant way in that learning curve. Certainly, communication about treatment options with patients is part of developing a chair-side manner for a new dentist. But what about communicating with staff? What about communication with the principle dentist? How does dental school prepare a new dentist to communicate in their role as an associate;
- with the staff as doctor but not boss
- with the principle as colleague but not equal
How does the associate learn to ask for what they need in order to make a living, integrate into a practice, and develop their technical and leadership skills (what I believe to be the top 3 basic needs of an associate)?
Your assistance please….I am very interested in receiving feedback and comments from my readers who are associates AND from experienced dentists:
- What did dental school teach you about communication in the real world of dentistry?
- What advice would you offer to help new dentists shorten their learning curve?
Great way to phrase the questions, Kristin! It is true that there is some finesse needed to walk the lines between employee, staff and doctor. I am sure the new dentist would appreciate a few tips in diplomacy. I look forward to the discussion.