Summary: According to a recent survey by Septodont, one of the more challenging day-to-day experiences for a dentist is the inquisitive patient. Too long spent answering questions means that appointments run over, other patients are kept waiting, and schedules are thrown into chaos. During the pandemic, with schedules – and budgets – stretched to breaking point, this presents even more of a challenge. When every minute counts, we discuss how dentists can keep their inquisitive patients satisfied and their schedules running smoothly.
When does curiosity become a problem?
Asking questions is not necessarily a problem in itself. In fact, as a dentist, you know that questions give you the opportunity to:
• Involve the patient in their care.
• Help them to understand their treatment.
• Establish informed consent.
• Manage their expectations.
• Improve patient satisfaction and retention.
However, there are some patients whose curiosity you just can’t seem to satisfy. You sense that they’re looking for an answer that you can’t give them. Or that they’re asking one question but they really want to ask another. Or that they simply don’t know what to ask to get the information they need. Sometimes, it may even seem as if the patient is challenging you. That’s when curiosity can become a problem.
