Question

As a dental radiographer, how do you feel you can become a better communicator with your patients?
Give three examples of things you can say (either verbal or non-verbal) to a patient to make them more comfortable.
Also, give three examples of how you would handle a patient with special needs to initiate cooperation during the exposure process.

Answer 1

Answer :

Dental radiographer must understand the importance of dental radiograph and its use in the management of the patiets. Proper dental radigraph is helpful to the dentist for detecting the pathology and planning the treatment. Radiograph can carry the informations aboout missing teeth, supernumerary teeth , impaction, carries, periodonitis, tumors, cyst etc...

Interperson communication is very importent for the radiographer.Communication can be defined as the process by which information is exchanged between two or more person.

Two types of communications are

Verbal communication : It is the communication through words , hence radiographer must be polite words while dealing with patients.

• Excessive words of technical word should avoided since it can cause confusion and result in miscommunication.
• excessive use of slang should also be avoided.
• They should avoid speaking in hurry and in tensed manner.
• Radigrapher should not be allowed while speaking as it may increase patient's anxiety

Non-verbal communication : it includes body language, posture, facial expressions, etc. It can be substituited for verbal messages. For example , nod can be a signal for agreement and nodding head sideways signals non-agreement.

• An attentive posture, leaning slightly towards the patient should be maintained.
• Statements should be accompanied with the smile.
• Radiographer should show interests in patient's curiocities.
• Eye contact should be maintained with the patient.

Patient with special needs includes oldage, children, disabled due to physical limitations, developmental problems and mental impairements required modification to the traditional treatment paln.

• Teach the client about complete procedure and make them comfort
• Provide the protective meassures for patient with disabiles and allow caregiver to support the patient.
• teach about the cons and prons of procdures