Training Communication Skills During COVID-19 Pandemic as a Part of Educational Process in Dental Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: The training of dental students in communication skills has been faced with a new challenge related to the limitations of COVID 19. Obtaining informed consent and deciding on the need for treatment are part of the twoway dental-patient communication process. While training in Public Dental Health, the students learn the basic rules of patient-oriented communication, discussing models for successful conversation with the patient and the types of verbal and nonverbal communication. The main educational goal is to build dental professionals who can adequately accept the needs of patients, help to realize them and generate trust. The specific educational goal is to organize and discuss specific, evidence-based clinical skills for communicating with patients. Materials and methods: A literature search has been performed and alternatives have been discussed with colleagues. The information search has been conducted using the Medline database (PubMed), Science Direct, and Web of Science. Discussion: The development of the social element has been observed in the relationship dentist - patient. Against the background of growing commercialism in the provision of dental services, patients are feeling increasingly uncertain whether the treatment offered is the needed one. Therefore, the patient must be at the centre of modern dentistry where the primary role has the Medical University in educating ethical principles and building doctors dedicated to humanity. Conclusion: The challenges in teaching students to communicate effectively with the patient are significant, especially in a global pandemic. The roots of philanthropy and empathy are laid back in time. They were described by the first teachers, physicians and philosophers in Medicine such as Hippocrates, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and others. It is our responsibility just to repeat them.