A Guide to Patient Small Talk (and Why It Matters!)
Dr. Erica Anand, DDS
A Guide to Patient Small Talk
(and Why It Matters!)
Dr. Erica Anand, DDS
Not every patient is a fan of going to the dentist, which is why personal connections and small talk is a necessity. While dental professionals are immune to the smells and sounds of an operatory, a dental appointment is not exactly like a hair or nails appointment.
It can be stressful and overwhelming for people, causing many to avoid or delay dental treatment. Learning how to make small talk with your patients is a simple way to help them feel more comfortable and build a long-lasting relationship.
When is a good time to make small talk?
This really depends on both the dental provider and patient. There are some patients that prefer a quiet appointment and don’t feel like sharing much about themselves. This is okay. Be respectful and professional by being approachable, but not overstepping any boundaries.
When is a good time to make small talk?
This really depends on both the dental provider and patient. There are some patients that prefer a quiet appointment and don’t feel like sharing much about themselves. This is okay. Be respectful and professional by being approachable, but not overstepping any boundaries.
Try not to ask specific questions during treatment when they need to keep their mouths open. It is also best to avoid having outside discussions with your assistant or hygienist in front of patients as it can appear rude or dismissive that a patient is in the chair.
It is great to greet patients when they arrive if you are at the front desk or send them a quick email or text to let them know you are there for them if they have any concerns or questions. There are numerous communication platforms that let you interact with patients prior to and following appointments.
Try not to ask specific questions during treatment when they need to keep their mouths open. It is also best to avoid having outside discussions with your assistant or hygienist in front of patients as it can appear rude or dismissive that a patient is in the chair.
It is great to greet patients when they arrive if you are at the front desk or send them a quick email or text to let them know you are there for them if they have any concerns or questions. There are numerous communication platforms that let you interact with patients prior to and following appointments.
What makes good small talk?
This really depends on both the dental provider and patient. There are some patients that prefer a quiet appointment and don’t feel like sharing much about themselves. This is okay. Be respectful and professional by being approachable, but not overstepping any boundaries. Small talk can be about anything from their recent dental experiences to what they do for work.
What makes good small talk?
This really depends on both the dental provider and patient. There are some patients that prefer a quiet appointment and don’t feel like sharing much about themselves.
This is okay. Be respectful and professional by being approachable, but not overstepping any boundaries. Small talk can be about anything from their recent dental experiences to what they do for work.
It’s about getting to know your patient so that you can make the best personalized treatment plan for their specific needs. Try to avoid conversations about politics, religion, or anything too personal that may seem like you’re overstepping boundaries.
When patients come back in 6 months or longer, small talk is a great way to catch up (i.e. following up on their pregnancy, change of job, or recent move.) Over time, you develop a personal relationship that spans many years and small talk actually becomes more like speaking to a family member or friend.
How can you remember patient details?
It can be difficult to remember every personal detail and patients don’t expect you to do that. However it can be awkward to continually introduce yourself to a patient you’ve seen two or three times, so always check your schedule and charts prior to going in for an exam.
The easiest way to remember patients is to jot down in their chart something personal about them whether it is how many children they have or their profession. It can be something simple just as a reminder. Over time, you’ll develop a relationship with a patient and you’ll easily remember details about your patients.
It is also a good idea to get a short briefing from your hygienist or assistant prior to going in to talk to a patient. The patient may confide in your staff about a dental concern and knowing those details can help you address the issue with better understanding.
The easiest way to remember patients is to jot down in their chart something personal about them whether it is how many children they have or their profession. It can be something simple just as a reminder.
Over time, you’ll develop a relationship with a patient and you’ll easily remember details about your patients.
It is also a good idea to get a short briefing from your hygienist or assistant prior to going in to talk to a patient. The patient may confide in your staff about a dental concern and knowing those details can help you address the issue with better understanding.
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It may take some finesse, but once you learn how to be creative with small talk, you’ll feel the joy of being attentive to your patients, which can translate to happy customers and increase referrals.
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