Sociology

Question 1

What can dentists do that others can’t?

Answer 1

• Get into the patients intimate space - usually only restricted to significant others
• Put their hands in your mouth (trust = sensitive and removes ability to communicate)

Question 2

What is Power?

Answer 2

Definition: The ability to ensure that a particular point of view prevails in a disputed situation, or the capacity that someone acts in a certain way

• It can take on many differnt forms

Question 3

What does power ‘look like’ in the dentist patient relationship?

Answer 3

Shapes the relationship in 3 ways:

1. the level of the clinical setting (environment)
2. in the dental consultation (dynamic)
3. consequence of cultural and medical authority displayed by the profession in society

Question 4

In which ways can a dentist (conciously/unconciously) intimidate their patients?

Answer 4

• Environment
• Layout
• Colour scheme of surgery
• Dental equipment
• Smells of the clinic
• Using too much medical jargon with patients
• Rushed appointments
• Little small talk/rapport building
• Using paternalistic conservational style

Question 5

What can patients do to change the power imbalance?

Question 6

What can dentists do to make it easier for patients to ask questions?

Question 7

Define empowerment:

Answer 7

• Allows the patients voice to be expressed and heard
• Moves away from doing things to the patient and more doing things with them
• Patients are more in control of their health and less dependent on health care professionals

Question 8

Define the paternalistic model of communication:

Answer 8

This occurs when doctors or other healthcare professionals lead and control the population, with little input from the patient

Question 9

What is medical authority?

Answer 9

The power and status derived from the scientific and expert knowledge and skills that some posses and enables them to treat and care for the health of others