Drill Down to Better Communication! 7 Lessons Managers Can Learn from Dentists

26 September 2025

Drill Down to Better Communication! 7 Lessons Managers Can Learn from Dentists

In the world of management, communication is as vital as oxygen—it fuels collaboration, trust, and performance. Ironically, one of the best exemplars of clear, empathetic dialogue isn’t found in corporate boardrooms but in the dental chair. Contrary to the idea that ‘dentists always seem to ask questions when we can’t answer’, there is actually much we can learn from their professional communication skills,

From concise explanations of treatment plans to carefully calibrated questions that anticipate patient concerns, dentists are trained to master communication under pressure. By examining their techniques, managers can refine their own skills, strengthen workplace relationships, and drive more effective teamwork. Here are some key things to think about.

1. Be Clear and Concise

Nothing erodes confidence faster than a convoluted message. According to a Harvard Business Review study, managers who communicate with clarity see 47% fewer misunderstandings on cross-functional teams. Dentists understand this implicitly: there’s no room for jargon when explaining cavities, X-rays, or aligner adjustments.

Adopt the dentist’s discipline by structuring your talking points before meetings. For example:

• Start with the outcome (“Here’s the decision we need today”).
• Outline two or three key facts (“Our Q3 churn rose 5%, team capacity is at 90% utilization, and customer feedback highlights X”).
• Finish with the next steps and assigned owners.

This “headline, data, action” format mirrors the approach used by an invisalign dentist: stating the diagnosis, showing the evidence (X-ray or exam), and prescribing the treatment plan. The result? Your team spends less time decoding your message and more time executing it.

2. Skip the Jargon and Technical Terms

In dentistry, words like “edentulous” or “periapical” mean little to patients—but dentists translate these terms into everyday language. In the workplace, technical acronyms and buzzwords often have the same alienating effect. A 2023 Mind Tools survey found that excessive jargon reduces team engagement by 32%.

Instead, choose plain English. When discussing a new software integration, replace “API orchestration” with “how our systems connect to share data.” This small shift helps colleagues at all levels grasp your point, ask better questions, and contribute insights. Over time, clear language builds psychological safety—employees know they won’t be judged for seeking clarity.

3. Listen First

Dentists spend the first minutes of a consultation not examining teeth but listening to patient concerns. This active-listening habit ensures diagnosis aligns with patient needs and fears. Managers who interrupt or pre-empt answers miss critical information and risk alienating their teams. Active listening involves:

• Staying present rather than formulating your response.
• Mirroring key phrases (“You’re worried about the deadline impact?”).
• Summarising what you’ve heard before offering solutions.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) highlights that active listening improves trust and conflict resolution by over 40%. When employees feel truly heard, they’re more likely to share ideas, raise risks early, and collaborate on solutions.

4. Empathize

Empathy separates good communicators from great ones. A dentist knows that for some patients, even routine cleanings provoke anxiety—or financial stress. They acknowledge those emotions: “I understand this might feel uncomfortable, but I’ll explain each step before I begin.”

Managers can mirror this by recognising the person behind the role. When a team member misses a deadline, consider external pressures: caregiving responsibilities, health concerns, or workload spikes. Simple phrases like “I know you’ve been stretched thin—how can I support you?” open dialogue and build loyalty.

• Acknowledge emotions: “It sounds like you’re frustrated by the process change.”
• Validate perspective: “Anyone would feel overwhelmed with that timeline.”
• Offer support: “Let’s map out which tasks to delegate so you can focus on reviewing the final draft.”

Such empathetic exchanges foster psychological safety, leading to higher engagement and creativity. Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that empathetic leaders drive 50% more team collaboration and innovation.

5. Remain Calm Under Pressure

Dentists maintain composure even when treating squeamish or distressed patients. Their calm tone and deliberate pace reassure people during potentially painful procedures. In management, raising your voice or reacting emotionally to setbacks only escalates stress.

Instead, practise emotional self-regulation. Dr. Daniel Goleman’s work on emotional intelligence underscores that leaders who manage their own emotions model stability for their teams, reducing anxiety and preserving focus. Next time a project stalls, try:

• Pausing for three deep breaths before responding.
• Lowering your vocal volume and speaking slowly to reset the room’s energy.
• Framing challenges as solvable puzzles rather than crises.

This steady presence keeps conversations constructive and solutions-oriented—just as a dentist’s calm steadies a patient’s nerves.

6. Ask Strategic, Open-Ended Questions

A dentist doesn’t just tell patients what to do; they probe: “How does that sensitivity feel—sharp or dull? When did you first notice it?” These open-ended queries uncover root causes and foster patient engagement. Managers can adopt this approach by replacing yes/no questions with prompts that invite reflection:

• “What challenges have you encountered with the new system?”
• “How would you prioritise these three tasks if you were setting the deadlines?”
• “What support would make this project more manageable for you?”

Such questions shift dialogue from directive to collaborative. They empower employees to diagnose issues and propose solutions, increasing ownership and accelerating problem-solving.

7. Harness Nonverbal Communication

Up to 93% of communication effectiveness is determined by nonverbal cues—tone, posture, and eye contact—according to research from UCLA’s Behavior Lab. Dentists are masters of reassuring body language: a gentle hand on the shoulder, a nod before asking a question, or a smile that transcends the surgical mask. In the workplace:

• Maintain steady eye contact when listening—it signals presence and respect.
• Adopt an open posture (uncrossed arms, leaning slightly forward) to show receptivity.
• Match your tone to the conversation’s gravity: enthusiastic for brainstorming, measured for feedback.

When your nonverbal signals align with your words, you eliminate mixed messages and build deeper rapport. Your team senses you’re genuinely invested in the conversation, not just going through the motions.

Conclusion

Dentists may drill holes in teeth, but they also master the art of communication—distilling complex information, hearing unspoken concerns, and guiding people through uneasy moments. Managers who adopt these seven lessons—clarity, plain language, active listening, empathy, composure, strategic questioning, and mindful nonverbals—will cultivate stronger workplace relationships and create an environment where ideas thrive.

References

1. Harvard Business Review, “The Science of Clear Communication,” 2022. https://hbr.org/2022/05/the-science-of-clear-communication
2. Mind Tools, “Jargon: How to Avoid It,” 2023. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/jargon
3. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, “Active Listening at Work,” 2023. https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/people/communication/active-listening
4. Center for Creative Leadership, “Empathy in Leadership,” 2021. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/empathy-in-leadership
5. Goleman, D., “What Makes a Leader?” Harvard Business Review, 1998. https://hbr.org/1998/11/what-makes-a-leader
6. UCLA Behavior Lab, “Nonverbal Communication Research,” 2020. https://www.bcla.org/research/nonverbal-communication-research
7. American Dental Association, “Better Communication Improves Patient Outcomes,” 2024. https://www.ada.org/resources/patient-comm
8. General Dental Council, “Preparing for Practice: Communication Outcomes,” 2022. https://www.gdc-uk.org/students/preparing-for-practice-communication-outcomes

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