[Series: Communication in the dental practice. Communicating in a culturally competent manner]. / Serie: Communicatie in de tandartspraktijk. Cultureel competent communiceren.

ABSTRACT

Dentists will increasingly have to treat patients with a variety of cultural backgrounds. They will consequently have to deal with various preconceptions about health and how people ought to behave with each other. In order to develop a good dentist-patient relationship and provide appropriate care, the dentist will have to learn to communicate in a culturally competent manner. That requires an open, empathetic attitude and an awareness of one's own norms, values and views. The dentist will have to consider how they differ from those of people from another (sub) culture. With the help of a number of examples, this article will provide an impulse to do that.