Self Reflective Essay On Communication

Self- reflection is all about looking back into one’s own memories and having the chance to think about how one feel about it whereas interpersonal communication is a process used to communicate ones ideas, thoughts, and feelings to another person. It is an essential requirement for life. Behaviors and communications are qualities that inherent and learnt. Being in the prestigious profession of dental hygiene, self reflecting on my communication skills will give me a self realization of my strengths and weakness that is required to build up a clientele harmony. A brief description about myself, I have completed my Bachelors of Dental Surgery from India in 1993. My educational background,

A good listener can shape the conversation as much as the speaker, but good listening involves a lot of mental hard work. I have had situations where clients look at things or gadgets while I am trying to explain the treatment plan. It is extremely annoying and it makes me want to tell them “pay attention”. Listening is not easy. An empathetic inquiry that discerns a patient’s concerns also helps individualize the treatment and create a team approach to the care plan.2 It is here the art of active listening is highlighted. Our minds race ahead and think about something else whilst the other person is talking. There is a useful pneumonic which can be made from the letters of the word ‘LISTEN’. L is for listening, I is for identifying main ideas, S is for speaking- but only when it’s your turn, T is for thinking about what the other person is saying, E is for emotions and keeping them under control and N is for never changing the subject.1 If one tries to put these factors into listening we will probably realize how seldom do we listen. Active listening is a key component in the interpersonal communication. As a part of active listening I try to paraphrase what my clients tell me. I get sensitive to others’ feelings when I listen to them. I also think about what I am going to say next and focus on

As a dental hygiene student, I am bound by ethics, morality, and professional code of conduct, so it is my responsibility towards my client to behave and communicate in the most professional way to help them achieve success towards their oral health. If there is one key to helping clients to satisfaction with their oral health, it is communication. A good relationship with patients will help the dental hygienist to utilize and enhance client’s beliefs in themselves and support the client’s sense of responsibility for their own