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Consent – Dental Protection Part 3

Influence

We can influence patients consciously or subconsciously by the way in which we communicate with them. For example

The words we use

Whether the words are written or spoken, a patient’s perception can easily be influenced by the words that we choose to use. Some patients will be particularly reactive or sensitive to the use of certain words (eg. “cut”, “drill”, “inject”, “bleeding”, “painful” etc); when you are discussing a procedure face to face you can usually see this reaction, and deal with it there and then. But when you use the same words in a letter, you don’t get this opportunity. Continue reading