THE question in this caption—”How is your dentist treating you?”—can be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, it could refer to dental treatment, and on the other, it could mean the professional relationship between a dentist and their patient. Here, I will discuss the latter.

Any discussion of the dentist-patient relationship must begin with a singular yet critical observation. There is an unfortunate tendency in dental literature to assume that there is only one kind of dentist-patient relationship. Such conceptualisation has limited the scope of research conducted and, as a result, compromised the relevance of the findings that have been reported.

Successful treatment in the healing arts is not attributed solely to the administration of an appropriate remedy. Once there is person-to-person interaction, a certain degree of understanding must prevail. In the case of the dentist-patient relationship, the concept of success after treatment should be balanced when both parties have systematically analysed the results.

There are three types of dentist-patient relationships, each varying according to the level of responsibility required from both the dentist and the patient. The importance of recognising these different relationships explains why there is often doubt regarding whether a dentist can indeed guarantee the success of dental work.

In one model, the dentist assumes complete responsibility for caring for the patient. In its most extreme form, this occurs when the patient is incapable of responding—for example, if they are unconscious or in a coma.

The second type of relationship is the guidance-cooperation model. Here, the dentist provides advice, direction, or instructions, and the patient is expected to follow them. This is probably the most traditional and familiar type of dentist-patient relationship.

The third type is mutual participation, where both the dentist and patient share equal responsibility. The patient is expected to take charge of their own well-being and promote their own health. Only in this model can a patient engage in preventative health measures or adhere to prescribed regimens for managing chronic conditions.

Studies have described the “good patient” as obedient, conforming, and willing to assume the role of the patient. According to researcher E.F. Borgotta, the degree to which a patient poses little risk or threat to the professional, as well as their readiness to conform, defines them in favourable terms. Additionally, individuals characterised as “good patients” are often described as agreeable, likeable, warm, and attractive, as noted by T.A. Wills in the Psychological Bulletin (2003).

Psychiatric and social work literature has demonstrated that a professional’s first impression of a patient—based on these characteristics—significantly affects the outcome of treatment. Patients who are cooperative and well-behaved tend to receive better care from their dentists. In fact, studies show that a professional’s initial perception of a patient during their first visit is significantly related to the success of their treatment.

Findings by Horning and Massagli (2005) suggest that as professionals become more specialised, there is an increased tendency to focus on the negative characteristics of patients. There is also a greater likelihood of labelling them as difficult individuals who exaggerate minor ailments or who are particularly headstrong. It is conceivable that patients who challenge a professional’s integrity are more likely to receive labels that place them outside the professional’s area of expertise—or even define them as untreatable.

A recent survey conducted in the USA found that, for dentists, the ideal patient is a well-educated woman between the ages of 25 and 55, positioned at the upper end of the social scale. This aspect of the study further supports the idea that physical appearance plays a role in treatment. Additionally, nearly half of the dentists surveyed reported losing patients due to poor interpersonal relationships.

On the other hand, patients believe that the most critical factors of a good dentist include their personality, their ability to reduce fear and anxiety, and, of course, their technical skills.