Behavioral Science II

1.1 Why behavioural science matters: adherence, anxiety, outcomes, complaints, safety; 1.2 Patient-centred care principles: respect, empathy, shared decision-making; 1.3 Communication models in healthcare (intro): patient-centred interview structure; 1.4 Determinants of health behaviour: capability, opportunity, motivation (intro frameworks); 1.5 Cultural competence and bias awareness in clinical care; 1.6 Professionalism: boundaries, confidentiality, trust-building

2.1 Building rapport quickly in dental clinics; 2.2 Active listening: verbal and non-verbal cues; 2.3 Open vs closed questions; funnel approach; 2.4 Empathy skills: naming emotion, validating concerns, supportive language; 2.5 Explaining diagnoses and procedures in plain language; 2.6 Teach-back method to confirm understanding; 2.7 Managing time while maintaining patient-centred communication; 2.8 Documentation of communication and consent discussions

3.1 Why patients don’t adhere: barriers (time, cost, fear, beliefs, literacy); 3.2 Behaviour change theories (applied intro):; 3.3 Goal setting: SMART goals for oral hygiene and diet; 3.4 Motivational interviewing (MI) basics: spirit, core skills (OARS); 3.5 Brief interventions: tobacco cessation “Ask–Advise–Assess–Assist–Arrange” (intro); 3.6 Habit formation and reinforcement strategies (intro); 3.7 Managing relapse and sustaining behaviour change

4.1 Health literacy: definition and impact on outcomes; 4.2 Assessing understanding without embarrassing the patient; 4.3 Designing simple patient instructions: clarity, steps, visuals; 4.4 Risk communication: explaining probabilities and uncertainty (intro); 4.5 Counselling for oral hygiene: brushing technique, interdental cleaning, fluoride (structured approach); 4.6 Dietary counselling: sugar frequency reduction and practical tips; 4.7 Special groups: children, elderly, special needs—tailori

5.1 Definitions: anxiety vs fear vs phobia; 5.2 Recognizing dental anxiety: behavioural and physiological signs; 5.3 Causes: past trauma, pain memory, control issues, embarrassment; 5.4 Non-pharmacological anxiety management:; 5.5 Pain control and its impact on anxiety (communication + LA technique):;5.6 Referral awareness: severe phobia, trauma history, special care pathways (intro); 5.6 Referral awareness: severe phobia, trauma history, special care pathways (intro)

6.1 Common challenging scenarios: angry patient, demanding patient, anxious patient, non-adherent patient; 6.2 De-escalation skills: calm tone, boundaries, acknowledging feelings; 6.3 Managing complaints in the moment: listen, apologize (where appropriate), explain next steps; 6.4 Handling unrealistic expectations (aesthetics, pain-free guarantees,

7.1 Valid consent components: capacity, information, voluntariness; 7.2 Explaining options: benefits/risks/alternatives including no treatment; 7.3 Consent for high-risk procedures: endo, surgery, sedation awareness (intro); 7.4 Managing uncertainty and explaining prognosis; 7.5 Written vs verbal consent and documentation standards; 7.6 Consent in minors: parent/guardian consent and assent concepts (region-dependent)

8.1 Dentist–patient boundaries: gifts, social media, dual relationships (intro); 8.2 Confidentiality and exceptions (safeguarding, serious harm – intro); 8.3 Honesty and transparency: error disclosure principles (intro); 8.4 Respectful care and non-discrimination; 8.5 Handling sensitive topics: smoking, alcohol, obesity, oral cancer risk (non-judgmental approach); 8.6 Ethical marketing and communication (intro awareness)

9.1 Recognizing stress and burnout signs in clinicians/students ; 9.2 Performance anxiety and imposter feelings (intro); 9.3 Coping strategies: sleep, planning, support systems (intro); 9.4 Team communication and seeking help early; 9.5 Maintaining professionalism under pressure (intro)

10.1 Dental team roles: dentist, nurse, hygienist, therapist, admin; 10.2 Four-handed dentistry and communication in procedures (intro); 10.3 Handover skills: SBAR awareness (intro); 10.4 Managing conflict in the dental team (intro); 10.5 Interprofessional referrals: writing clear referral letters and expectations

11.1 Caries: diet behaviour, sugar frequency, parental influence (intro) ; 11.2 Periodontal disease: smoking, daily plaque control adherence, motivation; 11.3 Bruxism and parafunction: stress link, habit awareness (intro); 11.4 Oral cancer prevention: tobacco/areca counselling; stigma-free communication; 11.5 Denture adaptation: expectation management and habit change

12.1 Socioeconomic status and access to care: barriers and solutions awareness; 12.2 Cultural beliefs about oral health and traditional remedies (intro); 12.3 Stigma and shame in oral health presentations (communication implications); 12.4 Special populations: refugees/migrants, disability, elderly—access and communication tailoring; 12.5 Trauma-informed care principles (intro)

13.1 Recognizing safeguarding concerns (children, domestic violence, neglect); 13.2 Responding appropriately: document, escalate per local policy, maintain safety; 13.3 Communication strategies for sensitive disclosures; 13.4 Consent/capacity and best-interest decisions awareness (intro); 13.5 Professional duty of care and confidentiality limits