Enhancing Communication in Dental Clinics through Understanding Oral Medicine Terminology

A clear communication between healthcare providers and patients is crucial. However, challenges arise due to medical jargon, particularly for non-native English speakers, potentially affecting patient outcomes. This study assessed patients' understanding of oral medicine terms to improve clarity in patient-dentist interactions, decision-making, and overall patient well-being.

A self-administered cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2022 and June 2023, targeting adult patients visiting dental clinics at King Abdulaziz University. Participants completed an 11-term questionnaire to evaluate their understanding of commonly used medical terminology in oral medicine.

A total of 286 participants were included, 66.4% men, with a mean age of 43.4 years and 82.9% having a university education. In understanding oral medicine terminologies, for terms such as “tumor,” 70.3% understood it as a mass that could be cancerous, while 88.1% correctly defined “cancer.” Diagnostic terms such as “biopsy” were correctly identified by 56.3% of participants. Men demonstrated a higher average score (7.88±2.27) than men (6.16±3.00, P < 0.001). Age groups showed varied understanding, but there was no statistically significant difference in the overall knowledge score. Participants with a scientific background had a notably higher overall knowledge score (8.01±2.75) compared to those without (6.23±2.79, P < 0.001) it.

This study revealed inadequacies in dental clinic patients' grasp of translated oral medicine terms, particularly among non-native English speakers. Higher knowledge ratings among women and those with a scientific background highlight the value of face-to-face questionnaires that enable the interviewer to clarify and follow up on specific topics as needed. Thus, it enhances patient-dentist interactions in dental treatment.