Build patient trust

Some dentists unintentionally overwhelm patients.

They explain too much, too quickly, in long uninterrupted blocks. Patients nod politely, but inside they’re thinking: “I hope this ends soon. I’m lost.”

The simplest way to break that pattern is to pause and ask:

“Does that make sense?”

This is called a check‑in question. This question clarifies understanding and slows the pace. It tells the patient, “I care about you and want you to understand what’s going on.” It can transform the interaction from a lecture into a conversation in which trust is built.

This technique is useful whenever you sense that a patient is confused. Here’s an example:

Dentist: “You’ve got a crack in a tooth back there. If we leave it, it’s likely to spread. Does that make sense?”

Patient: “Like a crack in a windscreen?”

Dentist: “Exactly. Once it spreads, the tooth could split.”

Or another example:

Dentist: “The nerve in the tooth has died and infection is spreading into the jaw. Does that make sense?”

Patient: “So that’s why the tooth has been aching?”

Use this short question whenever you sense that the patient is not understanding you.

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