DA Communication

DA Professional Skills

This module provides knowledge on how to communicate professionally as a dental assistant.

Effective communication is a vital skill for dental assistants and is the basis for successful patient care. Dental assistants must be able to communicate medical information professionally and accurately with a diverse group of people. This module provides knowledge in understanding the various types of communication styles and how to communicate with patients, co-workers, providers, and non-patients, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication forms.

You’ll learn

how to communicate in both the front and back office
techniques for active listening
essential nonverbal and verbal communication skills
best practices for professional communication
much more (see Content Details for more specific information)

Introduction

Step 1 - Nonverbal communication

Step 1.1 - Nonverbal communication with patients

Step 1.2 - Nonverbal communication with dentists

Step 1.3 - Nonverbal communication with co-workers

Step 1.4 - Nonverbal communication with non-patients

Step 2 - Verbal communication

Step 2.1 - Verbal communication with patients

Step 2.2 - Verbal communication with dentists

Step 2.3 - Verbal communication with co-workers

Step 2.4 - Verbal communication with non-patients

Step 3 - Listening

Step 3.1 - Listening to patients

Step 3.2 - Listening to dentists

Step 3.3 - Listening to co-workers

Step 3.4 - Listening to non-patients

Step 4 - Written communication

Step 4.1 - Written communication with patients

Step 4.2 - Written communication with dentists

Step 4.3 - Written communication with co-workers

Step 5 - Improving your communication style

Step 5.1 - Improving written communication

Step 5.2 - Best practices for communicating with patients

Step 5.3 - Charting and communicating with other professionals

Step 6 - Confirming listener understanding

Step 6.1 - Giving instructions to patients

Step 6.2 - Communication from dentists or other team members

Identify how to communicate with patients in the front office.
Identify how to communicate with patients in the dental operatory.
Apply professional communication techniques while speaking to patients on the telephone.
Develop an effective communication style, including appropriate body language.
Communicate in written form.
Restate patient communications to demonstrate understanding.
Apply listening skills in a role-play or simulation exercise.
Analyze own communication skills for areas of improvement.
Relate to co-workers using effective communication skills.
Demonstrate effective communication with a dentist.

The SIMTICS modules are all easy to use and web-based. This means they are available at any time as long as the learner has an internet connection. No special hardware or other equipment is required, other than a computer mouse for use in the simulations. Each of the SIMTICS modules covers one specific procedure or topic in detail. Each module contains:

an online simulation (available in Learn and Test modes)
descriptive text, which explains exactly how to perform that particular procedure including key terms and hyperlinks to references
2D images and a 3D model of applied anatomy for that particular topic
a step by step video demonstration by an expert
a quiz
a personal logbook that keeps track of all the modules the learner has studied and how long