Medical and dental assistants fill similar roles. In addition to performing clinical and administrative tasks, both are support professionals who act as liaisons between patients and their doctors. Good communication is the foundation of their success.

 

What Is Good Communication?

Good communication refers to effectively exchanging information and ideas between groups and individuals. While it can be somewhat subjective, it has several essential characteristics:

Clarity

Good communication is clear and easy for the listener to understand. Messages should be concise and to the point, avoiding ambiguity, technical jargon, or unrelated tangents.

Empathy

Empathy is the acknowledgment of others’ feelings. It demonstrates genuine concern about their unique perspectives.

Cultural Competence

Good communication is sensitive to the cultural and generational differences between people. It requires respecting others regardless of their background, beliefs, or worldview.

Adaptability

Communication should be adaptable to the listener’s emotional, cognitive, intellectual, and sensory needs. Appropriately tailored messages are always better received.

Timing

Sharing information promptly enhances its impact and relevance. Knowing when to speak and when to listen is a vital part of effective communication.

Positive Non-Verbal Cues

Non-verbal cues, including posture, gestures, facial expressions, and tone of voice, convey more than words. A good communicator controls what their body language projects.

Active Listening

Effective communication requires giving speakers your full attention. It demonstrates empathy and engagement, allowing for feedback, clarification, and mutual understanding.

Confidence

Confidence conveys knowledge and credibility. Among healthcare professionals, it establishes expertise and builds trust.

Openness

Good communication requires a particular vulnerability. The ability to share personal experiences opens the door to dialogue.

Grammar

Proper grammar, including spelling, sentence structure, and punctuation, ensures your message is clear.

Etiquette

Communication etiquette is an integral part of professionalism. Following established norms for oral and written presentations demonstrates respect for your audience and limits distractions.

Why Is Communication Important for Medical and Dental Assistants?

Effective communication is vitally essential for medical and dental assistants. It impacts the quality of care in these critical areas:

Data Gathering

Medical and dental assistants gather health information used to make treatment decisions. Clarity and accuracy are crucial.

Patient Comfort

Patients often feel anxious about medical or dental procedures. Confident, compassionate, and open communication is reassuring.

Team Collaboration

Medical and dental assistants work as part of a healthcare team. Effective communication with peers and providers ensures that care is coordinated and seamless.

Safety

Miscommunication in healthcare settings contributes significantly to medical errors. Clarity and good grammar prevent misunderstandings.

Documentation

Medical and dental assistants are responsible for maintaining patient records. Clear and comprehensive documentation allows all team members to track the patient’s progress, promoting continuity of care.

Professionalism

How medical and dental assistants communicate with patients projects a powerful image. As ambassadors of first impressions, courteous and respectful communication positively impacts patient relations.

Conflict Resolution

Workplace conflicts aren’t uncommon. Strong communication skills diffuse stress and encourage mutual support.

Patient Education

Dental and medical assistants educate patients about oral and healthcare topics. Effective communication ensures that they understand treatment recommendations.

What Is Unique About Medical Assistant Communication?

Medical and dental assistants have similar roles, but there are aspects of communication unique to medical assistants, such as:

Terminology

Medical assistants work in broader healthcare settings, such as hospitals, assisting patients suffering from various conditions. They must communicate using more general medical terminology that dental assistants may need to be more familiar with.

Patient Relationships

Patients are three times more likely to see their doctor than their dentist. Medical assistants engage with the same patients more often, encouraging more profound and open communication upon which long-term professional relationships are built.

Guidance and Education

Medical assistants communicate with patients about various health concerns, including oral health. General health conditions have a lesser impact on dental services, so dental assistants primarily discuss oral care issues.

What Is Unique About Dental Assistant Communication?

Dental assistants have their communication challenges, including:

Procedures

Medical assistants help doctors with occasional minor procedures. Dental assistants provide day-long chairside support, so communication with the dentist or hygienist must be laser-focused.

Patient Comfort

Because of the prevalence of dental phobia and dental anxiety, dental assistants need a powerful sense of empathy and emotional intelligence to work with fearful patients.

Billing and Insurance

Medical assistants may be involved in billing and insurance issues. However, because dental coverage plays a more significant part in the affordability of dental procedures for most clients, communication for dental assistants is more likely to include financial matters.

How Do You Hone Your Communication Skills?

Good communication is cultivated through education and experience. For medical and dental assistants, it begins with vocational school training. Programs emphasize practical communication techniques and soft skills in many ways, such as:

Coursework

Many vocational schools offer specific courses on communication skills, covering professional and therapeutic communication techniques.

Role-Playing and Simulations

Courses may include role-playing and simulation exercises to help students develop communication skills. You’ll practice real-world scenarios with instructors and peers.

Cultural Competency Training

Healthcare vocational schools encourage cultural competency, training students to respect a broad range of cultural and generational differences.

Professionalism

Medical and dental assistant programs stress the importance of professionalism. You’ll learn to maintain a polished dress, conduct, and communication demeanor.

Communication Technology

Technology plays a pivotal role in healthcare. Vocational schools teach students to use e-mail, electronic health records (EHR), and other communication tools effectively.

Clinical Rotations and Externships

Most medical and dental assistant programs include off-site clinical rotations or externship opportunities where students work alongside experienced healthcare professionals. You’ll practice your communication and collaboration skills in a supervised setting.

Final Thoughts

Dental and medical assistants rely on strong communication skills to succeed in their roles. The foundation of quality care is the cornerstone of empathy, trust, and safety.

Dental Assistant Program

The Dental Assistant training program at Meridian College provides extensive hands-on training, including a school externship at a dental office where you will assist the dentist in treating actual patients. We also have dedicated school instructors who offer you training in dental assisting that you can use to get an entry-level position at a dentist’s office or dental clinic. You get to work in real-world situations and use your training from classroom lectures to further your skills during lab work in dental assisting.

Medical Assistant Program

Meridian College offers a hands–on Medical Assistant training program taught by experienced school faculty who know how to prepare you for the daily challenges you’ll face on the job. From assisting doctors with patients to important administrative tasks, our experienced teachers will train you for a rewarding new career.

Contact Meridian College today to learn more about becoming a medical or dental assistant.