IT'S NOT JUST WHAT YOU SEE-IT'S ALSO YOUR COMMUNICATION STYLE

Communication is the truest power of the hygienist chair.

The hygiene chair is one of the most underutilized tools in preventive healthcare. As a hygienist, you’re not just polishing teeth—you’re sitting in one of the most trusted, consistent, and relationship-driven positions in a patient’s life. And that’s exactly what makes it the perfect place to spark meaningful, potentially life-saving communication.

As dental professionals, we are trained to identify signs and symptoms—but what happens next is just as important.

The words we choose when sharing concerns about oral-systemic risks can either inspire action or unintentionally shut a patient down. That’s why clear, compassionate, and strategic communication is essential in every exam.

COMMUNICATION FROM THE HYGIENIST CHAIR: WHY LANGUAGE MATTERS

You may recognize inflammation, erosion, or warning signs of sleep-disordered breathing, but if your explanation is overly clinical or rushed, the patient may walk away confused, fearful, or disengaged.

On the flip side, when you lead with empathy and education, you open the door for trust, understanding, collaboration, and optimal communication with your patients.

Poor phrasing can lead to:

• Patient anxiety or defensiveness

• Misunderstanding the seriousness of the issue

• Missed opportunities for preventive care

Effective phrasing can lead to:

• Empowered decision-making

• Improved treatment acceptance

• Stronger patient-provider relationships

COMMUNICATION FROM THE HYGIENIST CHAIR: KEY PHRASES THAT CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

Another one of the keys to effective communication is asking pointed, open-ended, and "tell me" type of questions instead of yes/no questions. This will open the door for your patient to communicate on a deeper level, allowing you to glean more information about their current state of health–opening the door for you to discover underlying issues or symptoms you may not otherwise learn about.

Asking the right questions and learning to communicate on a deeper level, is one of the key components of becoming a LifeGuard for your patients. Cris Duval, RDH and Founder of The LifeGuard Approach, explores this topic and shares tips on communication in her ebook, "Speaking the Language of Health and Wellness", which you can download for free.

Here are a couple of examples of how you can enhance the way you ask questions and share information while improving your overall communication with your patients:

1. Instead of: “You have some bone loss.”Try: “I’m seeing some changes in your bone that could affect how your teeth stay supported. Let’s talk about what that could mean for your overall health.”

   
   

2. Instead of: “Do you snore?”Try: “Some of the things I’m seeing today, like wear patterns on your teeth and the way your airway looks, can be connected to interrupted breathing at night. I’d like to explore this further to make sure your body is getting the rest it needs. Tell me how well you sleep at night?”

   
   

3. Instead of: “Do you floss regularly?”Try: “I'm seeing some signs of gum bleeding and wear on your teeth. Tell me what you experience when you floss or brush.”

HOW THE LIFEGUARD APPROACH TRAINS TEAMS TO COMMUNICATE WITH PURPOSE

The LifeGuard Approach is built on more than clinical skill—it’s rooted in lifesaving communication. Our training helps dental teams develop the language and confidence to:

• Recognize when and how to bring up oral-systemic links

• Engage patients in meaningful, non-threatening conversations

• Move beyond scripts and speak with clarity, compassion, and consistency

• Create team-wide alignment so every role knows how to reinforce these messages

When everyone on the team speaks the same language, the patient feels heard, valued, and more likely to act.

DON'T JUST SPOT THE RISK–SPEAK IT INTO ACTION

Your ability to communicate risk clearly can be the bridge between observation and transformation. When we shift from clinical monologue to conversational advocacy, we empower patients to take control of their health.

🛡️ Want to strengthen how your team communicates with patients?

📞 Contact The LifeGuard Approach today to bring life-saving communication training to your practice.