Beneficial Communications from Dentists to Patients
Abstract
Dentist to patient communications are important, since it is this communication which can induce the patient to establish an interest in his dental health. Generation of active personal interest in dental health among naval personnel and implementation of good oral health habits can save many costly hours in dental care delivery. Recruit dental clinics and personnel assigned to them were studied. Frequency counts of communications in the dental operatory provided measures of dentist to patient information transmissions. Attitude questionnaires measured the communication effect as perceived by patients. An indoctrination lecture was presented to dentists in order to improve beneficial communications. Findings demonstrated that there is a definite relationship between actual frequency of communications and the recruit patient perceptions related to dental health. Patient perceptions about oral health information improved after a lecture was given to dental personnel. This finding suggests that the presentation of a standardized lecture pointing-up the need for frequent and beneficial communication between dental personnel and patients can be useful in improving the attitudes toward maintenance of personal dental health.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0720692
Entities
People
- Robert G. Pishel Jr.