title: The soft side.
abstract: For true communication between dentist and patient, a dentist must develop behavioral skills (or "soft" skills) in addition to clinical skills. These skills should be utilized at all times but particularly during a patient's initial visit. Educating the patient is mandatory and the dentist should never offer solutions to problems that the patient cannot see, feel, or understand. If these ideas are kept paramount at all times they will become normal operating procedure and not seem artificial. Caring about the patient and remaining committed to technical excellence will go a long way toward the delivery of quality care.
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Bruce W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D003812:Dentist-Patient Relations; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000941:ethics*