Reducing Bias & Improving Patient Communication
Some state boards require this topic for license renewal
1 CEU’s
Attend this class by Live Webinar or Attend at our School
Course Description
This continuing education course is designed to help dental professionals recognize how personal assumptions, unconscious bias, cultural differences, and communication styles can impact patient interactions and clinical outcomes. Participants will explore strategies for creating a respectful, inclusive, and patient-centered environment while improving communication with individuals from diverse backgrounds, ages, abilities, and health literacy levels. Emphasis will be placed on building trust, improving patient compliance, reducing misunderstandings, and enhancing the overall patient experience within the dental setting.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define implicit bias and explain how it can affect patient care and communication in the dental setting.
- Identify common communication barriers that may interfere with effective patient interactions.
- Discuss the importance of cultural awareness, empathy, and professionalism when communicating with patients.
- Recognize how tone, body language, assumptions, and terminology may influence patient trust and treatment acceptance.
- Demonstrate techniques for improving communication with patients of varying cultural backgrounds, ages, and health literacy levels.
- Apply patient-centered communication strategies to improve understanding, compliance, and patient satisfaction
Instructor: Dr. Marc Goldman
Dr. Marc Goldman completed his BS degree at The American University in Washington, DC in 1979 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The New York University College of Dentistry in 1979. Dr. Goldman then completed his certificate in Periodontics at Rutgers University Dental School (formerly the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Dental School) in 1982. Dr. Goldman is active in the American Dental Association, New Jersey Dental Association, Essex County Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, New Jersey Society of Periodontists, Newark Dental Club and the Garden State Society of Periodontics and Implantology. Dr. Goldman is the Chairman of the Department of Periodontics at Newark Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ where he oversees the periodontal training of the General Practice Residents. He has published articles in the Journal of the American Academy of Periodontics and Journal of the New Jersey Dental Association. He lectures nationally
Requirements to attend a live webinar:
- You will need a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer to view it. If using a smartphone or tablet, it is best to have the app for the program on your device (i.e. Zoom).
- To verify your continued attendance during the class, you will need a microphone, or the ability to type into the program’s live chat.
- A webcam so the teacher can see you
- Instructors or school personnel will take attendance periodically throughout the class.
- Instructors may call on participants.
- To verify attendance, a code word may be given sometime during the class.
- You will be required to complete and return an evaluation after the course has ended. The evaluation may ask what code word was given.
- You may not receive your Certificate of Completion if we cannot verify your attendance.
Certificates of Completion are emailed to students approximately 5 business days after the course.
This program is for the full dental staff – no prior skills are needed to attend.
The teaching method will be in a lecture format with a Q & A period.
DSI Staff or administration do not have any commercial interest or relationship to the speaker.
The content and format of the Continuing Education course is presented without commercial bias and does not claim superiority of any commercial product or service. No DSI Staff have any financial relationship with the speaker or company.




