Key Points
-
As far as possible spend time preparing for difficult communication situations, giving consideration to the information given, the setting and time constraints
-
When breaking bad news try to explore the patient's view of the bad news, work with the patient to determine the way forward
-
Consider training a member of your dental team in counselling skills
-
Take time to review difficult communication situations. Consider what went well, and what could be improved.
Abstract
During their professional career most dental practitioners will be faced with a situation in which they have to break 'bad news'. This article examines the communication skills involved in breaking bad news to patients. The process is broken down into three broad stages: preparation; discussing the information; and reviewing the situation. Within each of these stages specific and practical recommendations are given. The importance of recognising the impact which such interactions have upon the dental practitioner is emphasised.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
Sondell K, Soderfeldt B . Dentist-patient communication: A review of relevant models. Acta Odont Scand 1997; 55: 116–126.
Newton T . Dentist/patient communication: A review. Dent Update 1995; 22: 118–122.
Fiske J, Davis D M, Frances C, Gelbier S . The emotional effects of tooth loss in edentulous people. Br Dent J 1998; 184: 90–93.
Jackson E . Establishing rapport. I. Verbal interaction. J Oral Med 1975; 30: 105–110.
Jackson E . Convergent evidence for the effectiveness of interpersonal skill training for dental students. J Dent Educ 1978; 42: 517–523.
Levy R L, Domoto P K, Olson D G, Lertora A K, Charney C . Evaluation of one-to-one behavioral training. J Dent Educ 1980; 44: 221–222.
Maguire P, Faulkner A . How to do it. Communicate with cancer patients: handling bad news and difficult questions. Br Med J 1988; 297: 907–909.
Davies M, Newton J T . Breaking bad news. In Careful communication. Brussels: University Catholique de Louvain, 1995.
Newton J T . The readability and utility of general dental practice patient information leaflets. Br Dent J 1995; 178: 329–332.
Garg A, Buckman R, Kason Y . Teaching medical students how to break bad news. Can Med Assoc J 1997; 156: 1159–1164.
Buckman R, Kason Y . How to break bad news – a practical protocol for healthcare professionals. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1992.
McLauchlan C A J . ABC of major trauma: handling distressed relatives and breaking bad news. Br Med J 1990; 301: 1145–1149.
Buckman R . Breaking bad news: Why is it still so difficult? Br Med J 1984; 288: 1597–1599.
Lefer L, Pleasure M, Rosenthal L . A psychiatric approach to the denture patient. Psychosom Res 1962; 6: 199–207.
Roter D . Which facets of communication have strong effects on outcome — a meta-analysis. In M Stewart & D Roter (Eds) Communicating with medical patients. Newbury Park, Sage.
Acknowledgements
Address for the British Association for Counselling: The British Association For Counselling, 1 Regent Place, Rugby CV21 2PJ Tel: 01788 578328
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Refereed Paper
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Newton, J., Fiske, J. Breaking bad news: a guide for dental healthcare professionals. Br Dent J 186, 278–281 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800087
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800087
This article is cited by
-
Difficulties experienced by dentists and orthodontists regarding ethical issues when announcing the diagnosis of a rare oral disease: a qualitative study in Marseille, France
European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry (2024)
-
Feelings, perceptions, and expectations of patients during the process of oral cancer diagnosis
Supportive Care in Cancer (2016)
-
The emotional effects of tooth loss: a preliminary quantitative study
British Dental Journal (2000)
