Abstract
Objective: To investigate the perceptions of dental students on the learning process regarding the dentist-pediatric patient relationship. Material and Methods: A qualitative study with an exploratory approach was conducted involving semi-structured interviews with sixteen dental undergraduate students randomly selected from the thirty-two students in the last semester of the dentistry course. The transcribed interviews were submitted to content analysis. Results: The sample was composed of nine female (56.3%) and seven male (43.7%) students (median age: 23 years). The factors perceived as most influential with regard to learning the dentist-pediatric patient relationship were observations of professors, other dentists or colleagues and the regular practice of dental procedures. While half of the participants considered lectures on the subject satisfactory, the other half reported a need for more instruction on how to deal with specific clinical situations. Most of the participants would like to have learned more about the dentist-pediatric patient relationship. Conclusion: The majority of students recognized that the teaching and learning process regarding the dentist-pediatric patient relationship is not easy. They reported having little counseling on the how to develop this relationship. The students suggested that the dentist-patient relationship should be addressed more during the course through the inclusion of lectures or classes on this issue as well as the demonstration of specific clinical situations.
Highlights
The dentist-patient relationship mediated by communication is considered a personal bond of unique importance, as it serves as the basis of the technical, humanistic and ethical dimensions of clinical practice [1,2,3]
Dental students are expected to learn to value interpersonal relationships so that they can adequately communicate with the patient and offer advice regarding oral health in an ethical, attentive and affectionate way [10]
A good dentist-patient relationship based on communication is essential for the dentist to establish a relationship of harmony with patients and their families, thereby minimizing fear, anxiety and stress in the pediatric dental office [13,14]
Summary
The dentist-patient relationship mediated by communication (from the Latin communicationnem meaning "to impart, to share") is considered a personal bond of unique importance, as it serves as the basis of the technical, humanistic and ethical dimensions of clinical practice [1,2,3].Studies have shown that patient satisfaction with dental care is correlated to interpersonal relations with the dentist [4,5,6,7,8]. Dental students are expected to learn to value interpersonal relationships so that they can adequately communicate with the patient and offer advice regarding oral health in an ethical, attentive and affectionate way [10]. These studies underscore the importance of patientcentered care, valuing the personal history of each patient rather than merely the condition being treated. Children and adolescents vary in competence, temperament, personality, intellectual capacity and maturity. They differ greatly with regard to life experiences, family situations and cultural backgrounds. A good dentist-patient relationship based on communication is essential for the dentist to establish a relationship of harmony with patients and their families, thereby minimizing fear, anxiety and stress in the pediatric dental office [13,14]
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