N°3 : Première consultation d’un adulte au cabinet dentaire

Communication plays a crucial role during the initial consultation. New patients are often anxious at this appointment. Successful, reciprocal, and shared practitioner-patient communication is essential for the smooth progress of treatment sessions. It forms the basis of the trusting relationship established between the practitioner and their patient. Patients are often stressed when they walk through the door of the office for the first time, so it is vital that they are welcomed in optimal conditions. The assistant is responsible for reception. When the patient enters the reception area, she greets them with a smile, introduces herself, and calls them by name. It is important that the patient feels expected. The medical questionnaire can be given to the patient at this time, explaining its connection to oral health. The patient is then escorted to the waiting room. The time spent in the waiting room should be neither too long nor too short. It acts as a decompression chamber between the hustle and bustle of the city and the stress of the treatment. It is important that the practitioner personally greets the patient in the waiting room, welcoming them with a smile, introducing themselves, and offering a handshake. After this initial contact, the patient is invited into the examination room. This visit allows for a gradual transition from social to personal distance before reaching the intimate distance required for the examination. During the consultation, active listening is paramount. It is essential to demonstrate that you are available and that the patient can speak freely. During the consultation, the practitioner inquires about the patient's expectations and reviews the medical questionnaire with them. The patient is then invited to take a seat. The clinical examination represents the practitioner's very first real intrusion into the patient's oral space, with its attendant implications. It is a moment when non-verbal communication is amplified. The patient is very attentive to hygiene, so it is important to wash your hands and open the sterile pouches in front of them. The patient is asked for permission to proceed with the examination, as we will be entering their intimate space. We can use a phrase like, "Tell me when I can start looking." Establishing contact in the patient's personal space beforehand is very helpful. After a general and then local observation, we will first describe our findings in understandable language and then provide a brief explanation to capture the patient's attention. During the chairside examination, we can give the patient a mirror and show them the various points of interest with the probe. Once the examination is complete, it is helpful to briefly summarize the problems and conditions observed, in order to provide the patient with some points to consider. This video was produced by Claire Mantovani as part of her thesis, "Communication During the Initial Consultation: Video Support," submitted for her degree in dentistry. Sources: LANGEWITZ W. Communication in Everyday Medicine: A Practical Guide. Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences. 2013. ROZENCWEIG. Keys to Success in the Dental Practice. Quintessence International. 1997. 294p. ROZENCWEIG D. On the Road to Quality in Dentistry. Quintessence International. 2003. 199p.