Effective communication is key to having a successful practice and staff.
Posted in Articles on Friday, February 7, 2025
Knowing when and how to effectively communicate at your dental practice can help reduce miscommunication, increase staff happiness, increase collaboration, and foster trust. Ineffective workplace communication can be a source of internal conflict instead of a solution. When workplace communication isn’t working, it can lead to frustration, anger, wasted time, staff turnover and patient dissatisfaction.
Effective communication actually happens only when the information is received and understood by your audience. If you want to improve your workplace communication skills, try following the “Talk” format.
The Talk Format
T-Topics
Know what you want your audience to hear/learn. Simplicity is key. Aim for clarity and define goals.
A-Ask Open-Ended Questions
Confirm your audience understands by asking questions. Be open to answering questions as well. Remember, communication goes both ways.
L-Levity
Add humor and warmth to your tone. How you say something can be just as important as what you say. Seek to solve conflicts; not create them.
K-Kindness
Give your attention and respect to the speaker. No two people or conversations are ever the same, so commit to being an active listener.
Connecting is Key
In addition to following the TALK format, consider making time for meetings, including individual and group options. This helps to create an environment where each staff member is comfortable sharing ideas and challenges. Ask for and give constructive feedback.
Finally, connect with your staff. Get to know them. Lead by example.
Communicating with co-workers and patients will always present challenges. Misunderstandings happen. Building your effective communication skills will make running your practice easier and improve patient and employee satisfaction. Effective communication is key to a successful team and a successful office.
Additional Reading: