The effectiveness of high-quality dental care predominantly lies on the communication between dentist and patient. However, little literature has reported the importance of these “soft skills” in dental practice. The aim of this literature review is to explore strategies for effective dentist-patient communication. Dentist-patient communication is a bidirectional process involving the exchange of ideas that should be clear (easy to understand), correct (accurate), concise (to the point), complete (with essential information), and cohesive (well-organized). Effective communication empowers patients with the knowledge required to make an informed decision about their own oral health. It not only improves the dentist’s efficiency and boosts patient confidence, but also alleviates patients’ dental anxiety and fear, addresses patients’ needs and preferences, increases patients’ adherence, and enhances patient satisfaction. To enhance dentist-patient communication, dentists should take the patient-centered approach as a premise. The approach comprises understanding patients’ illnesses, shared decision-making, and mindful intervention at the patient’s own pace. In addition, dentists should use simple, succinct language, proper body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact when interacting with patients. Dentists should show empathy, encourage questions and feedback, employ visual aids, and give ample time to patients. Nowadays, dentists and their patients use messaging applications in their communication. This form of telecommunication is not only a convenient way of communication but also reduces the costs associated with a dentist visit. In conclusion, effective dentist-patient communication is vital for the success of dental practice. Dentists who prioritize communication and build positive relationships with their patients are more likely to achieve positive outcomes and foster the expansion of their dental practice.

Dentist–patient communication is at the core of providing quality dental care. This study aims to review the importance, challenges, strategies, and training of dentist–patient communication. The World Dental Federation (FDI) emphasizes the importance of effective communication between oral healthcare providers and patients as a critical component of high-quality care. Effective dentist–patient communication allows dentists to accurately and effectively pass on essential medical information to patients. It improves the dentist’s efficiency, boosts self-confidence, reduces occupational stress, and minimizes the risks of complaint or litigation. Moreover, it alleviates dental anxiety and fear, helps build trust between dentists and patients, addresses patients’ needs and preferences, increases patients’ adherence to improved treatment outcomes, and ultimately leads to enhanced patient satisfaction. Nonetheless, it has been widely acknowledged that dentists universally encounter the repercussions arising from suboptimal communication strategies. Time constraints, difficulties in establishing rapport, the oral-health illiteracy of the patients, the poor communication skills of the dentists, dentists’ perceptions, and language barriers often hinder dentist–patient communication. Dentists should take the patient-centered approach as a premise and acquire verbal and non-verbal communication skills to overcome these communication barriers. The patient-centered approach comprises the understanding of patients’ illness, shared decision-making, and intervention with mindfulness of the patient’s own pace. Simple, succinct, and jargon-free language should be used in verbal communication. Proper body postures and gestures are fundamental for showing positive attitudes towards patients. Communication training for dental students should involve a structured pedagogical approach that includes didactic instruction, role-playing exercises, patient interviewing, and ongoing assessments. Key components of effective communication skills training in dental education include motivational interviewing, open-ended questioning, affirmations, reflective listening, and summaries to enhance patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans.

Background: Effective dentist–patient communication is pivotal for quality dental care and patient satisfaction. Advances in technology, such as the application of digital dentistry, have modernized how dentists and patients interact. Objective: The objective of this study is to review traditional and modern communication methods and how the latter enhance patient engagement. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2000–2025) was conducted using keywords related to dental communication methods. Eligible studies underwent critical appraisal based on methodological clarity and relevance, and review quality was assessed using the SANRA framework. Results: While traditional methods remain foundational, digital advancements have significantly expanded communication channels. Teledentistry improves access through virtual consultations, electronic health records empower patients with transparency, and mobile apps facilitate convenient messaging and monitoring. Social media and interactive educational content enhance patient understanding and practice engagement. AI-driven tools further personalize patient interactions and automate administrative tasks. However, these modern strategies require careful implementation to ensure they meet clinical needs and adhere to strict privacy and security regulations. Conclusions: In conclusion, technological advancements have re-shaped dentist–patient communication, making it more flexible and efficient, thus enhancing patient engagement, satisfaction, and overall dental care quality. Future research should focus on conducting comparative and longitudinal studies to evaluate patient outcomes, satisfaction, and the long-term impact on the dentist–patient relationship across different hybrid communication models.

Effective dentist-patient communication underpins care, empowering informed decisions, reducing anxiety, improving efficiency, and fostering trust through clear, accurate, cohesive exchanges. This narrative review used a structured Medline search of literature, employing key terms to select and synthesize relevant English-language publications on dentist-patient communication without strict inclusion criteria. Key strategies include active listening, empathetic dialogue, patient-centred approaches, and the use of plain language and visual aids to demystify complex information. Additionally, integrating technology for appointment reminders, virtual consultations, and feedback mechanisms can streamline interactions. Crucially, cultural competency and sensitivity to individual needs ensure inclusivity and personalized care. Building on these findings, the study outlines ten actionable pillars for effective communication: (1) Initial Consultation: Establish rapport and gather comprehensive medical/dental histories. (2) Treatment Explanation: Simplify diagnoses and options using layman’s terms. (3) Informed Consent: Transparently discuss risks/benefits and invite questions. (4) Patient Education: Clarify oral hygiene practices and post-treatment expectations. (5) Anxiety Management: Address fears through reassurance and tailored coping strategies. (6) Follow-Up Care: Maintain post-treatment engagement to resolve concerns. (7) Feedback Systems: Leverage patient insights for service improvement. (8) Cultural Sensitivity: Adapt communication to diverse backgrounds. (9) Non-Verbal Cues: Employ positive body language and active listening. (10) Technology Integration: Utilize digital tools for efficiency and accessibility. By prioritizing empathy, clarity, and adaptability, clinicians can transform dental visits from anxiety-inducing encounters into collaborative partnerships. This approach not only elevates patient satisfaction and adherence but also redefines the standard of care, aligning clinical practice with the evolving needs of modern dentistry.

Digital oratory skills have become essential for academic and professional success in today’s digital world, making it imperative to integrate digital oratory training into public speaking pedagogy. This study examined second language (L2) speakers’ public speaking anxiety and nonverbal speech performance in the context of digital oratory. Participants were 40 English as a second language students enrolled in a public speaking course at a Hong Kong university. Each student recorded and uploaded an 8-minute speech to a digital learning platform. They also completed a questionnaire measuring digital oratory anxiety and participated in semi-structured interviews sharing their perceptions of digital presentation. Nonverbal speech performance was assessed, and correlations with digital oratory anxiety were analyzed. The results showed that cognitive and physiological factors had a greater influence on digital oratory anxiety than behavioral and technical factors. Although no significant correlations were found between digital oratory anxiety and nonverbal speech performances, the technical factor had the least impact on L2 students’ anxiety, leading to positive outcomes regarding the technical quality of the speech videos. Comparatively, eye contact and gestures attained much lower mean scores than voice control and facial expressions. Interview results further elucidated the benefits and challenges students experienced during digital presentations. Pedagogically, the findings highlight the need of a holistic approach considering cognitive, physiological, behavioral, and technical factors to address L2 learners’ digital oratory anxiety. Given its affordability and accessibility, digital oratory can be effectively integrated into instruction to develop L2 students’ multimodal communication and nonverbal delivery skills.

Background: The pursuit of a successful dental career extends beyond clinical skills to encompass various personal and professional attributes. Understanding the qualities that define a successful dentist from the perspective of dental students is essential. Objective: This study aims to explore the perspectives of dental students at a university in mainland China regarding the attributes that define a good or successful dentist. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to dental students at Fujian Medical University (FJMU) from March to August 2025 using an anonymous questionnaire. The questionnaire included four self-administered questions: (1) qualities associated with “a successful dentist”, (2) qualities of “a good dentist”, (3) qualities students expect from their own dentists, and (4) qualities dental education should emphasize. For each question, participants selected the three most important attributes from a list of 23 predefined options or provided their own responses. Results: All 651 dental students at FJMU were invited to participate, with 645 (99%) completing the survey. Their ages ranged from 18 to 24 years, and 281 (44%) were male. Clinical competence, experience, knowledge, good communication skills, and a sense of responsibility or accountability were consistently ranked as the top five attributes by dental students across all four survey questions. Attributes such as punctuality and altruism received the lowest ratings. Bivariate analysis revealed that senior students (Years 4–5) considered good communication skills a more important quality than junior students (Years 1–3) across all four questions. Conclusions: Dental students in mainland China perceive clinical competence, experience, and knowledge as essential attributes for dental practice, alongside communication skills and responsibility.