Volunteer Patient Program for Enhancing Dental Student Communication Skills

At the School of Dentistry, we are seeking interested members of the public to participate as Volunteer Patients in communication role-plays with dental students.

The Volunteer Patient Program involves members of the public helping 2nd and 3rd year dental students learn how to communicate well with patients. The program is part of the communication skills course in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree.
Good communication skills are an important part of being a good dentist. Dentists need to be able to communicate well with their patients for many reasons, such as:

• when they need to ask patients questions about their dental and oral health
• when they explain to patients the results of an examination or about possible treatment
• when they educate patients about how to care for their own dental and oral health
• and when they need to reassure patients who are anxious about dental treatment

Therefore, Volunteer Patients can provide a valuable service for our dental students. As a volunteer, you can help to prepare our students to eventually interact with real dental patients.

For more information please contact:

School of Dentistry
The University of Adelaide, SA 5005
Ms Karen Squires
Phone: 08 8303 5968 (Mon-Fri 9.00am-4.00pm)
Email: karen.squires@adelaide.edu.au

Dr Vicki Skinner
Phone: 8303 4229 (Mon-Wed 9.00am-5.00pm)
Email: vicki.skinner@adelaide.edu.au

Web: Volunteer Patient Program: http://health.adelaide.edu.au/dentistry/volunteer_patients