Personalising patient care within dentistry

Abstract

Putting patients' interests first should always be at the forefront of a dental practitioner's mind. When treatment planning, it can be possible to lose sight of the patient: their primary concerns, ability to cope with treatment and what they regard success to be. Introducing key concepts such as a 'problem list' and applying the current evidence base for patient-reported outcomes and experience measures can ensure the focus of dental treatment never wavers from holistic patient care. This opinion piece will focus on the current attitudes of dental practitioners and act as a reminder to ensure that their practice is patient-focused at all times.