Language/ Communication Barrier

Question 1

What barriers prevent effective communication in children/ elderly?

Answer 1

Little language
Confused speech
Foreign language
Accent/ dialect

Question 2

What barriers may prevent effective communication in disabled or non-native speakers?

Answer 2

Jargon

Complex sentences

Question 3

What is a culture?

Answer 3

Integrated pattern of learned beliefs and behaviours shared among a group
Culture explains how we we explain and value our world

Question 4

What can culture impact?

Answer 4

Our thoughts, way of communicating and interacting, values, views of roles and relationships

Question 5

What is cultural competence?

Answer 5

Acknowledge the important of culture in peoples lives

Minimise any negative consequences of cultural difference

Question 6

How can culture affect oral health?

Answer 6

Disease is process - illness is what pt experiences

Culture can influence cause of disease and how illness is experience, appropriate tx and how it should be provided

Question 7

What can miscommunication cause?

Answer 7

Under utilisation of care, poor compliance, poor OH, QoL poorer

Question 8

How are individuals and culture linked?

Answer 8

Avoid stereotypes - culture not all defining
Variations of culture exist within subgroups and individuals
Individuals are unique - own interpretation of culture

Question 9

How to develop cultural competency?

Answer 9

Increase sensitivity and awareness
Learn socio-cultural factors on pt believes
Explore and reflect

Question 10

How to have effective communication- 4 steps?

Answer 10

1. Initiation
2. Gather info
3. Build relationship
4. Explanation and planning

Question 11

What is involved in initiating communication?

Answer 11

Check pronunciation of name and how to greet

Sensitive to interpreter/ family present

Question 12

How to gather information re: culture?

Answer 12

Explore believes: causation, expectation tx

Question 13

How to build the relationship?

Answer 13

Aware of differences in non-verbal behaviour
Value ideas and beliefs w/o stereotype/ judgement
Avoid assumptions
Show sensitivity

Question 14

How to explain and tx plan?

Answer 14

Work w/ interpreter
Check pt understand and concerns have been addressed
Try give choices based on background and situation

Question 15

How can cultural beliefs impact OH?

Answer 15

Beliefs about causation
Attitude towards illness/ disease
Interpretation on symptoms
Social interactions

Question 16

Questions to consider when tx elderly?

Answer 16

Any physical, sensory or neurological problems that may affect communication/ tx
Any limitation to clinical management
Anybody assist pt - do they need to be involved?

Question 17

What are the 7 points from pt perspective that makes good communication?

Answer 17

1. Confident - dentist instills confidence
2. Empathetic - trys to understand
3. Humane - caring, compassionate
4. Personal - dentist is interested in pt
5. Frank - explain in plain language
6. Respectful - takes pt input seriously
7. Thorough - conscientious and persistent