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Topic Overview: Language Barriers How do we communicate effectively with non-English- speaking patients? How do we use cultural knowledge to enhance patient care?
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Our Multicultural Country
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For many dental health care providers in the United States and Canada today, providing patient care involves learning to communicate effectively with patients from non-English- speaking communities and with cultural backgrounds that are unfamiliar.
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Increase in Foreign-Born Residents
The U.S. always has had a significant foreign-born
population, but the number of foreign residents reached an all-time high of 32.5 million in 2002.
11.5% of the U.S. population is foreign-born.
18.5% of the Canadian population is foreign-born.
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Multiculturalism in U.S. Of the 32.5 million foreign-born U.S. residents in 2002:
More than half were born in Latin America
26% were born in Asia 14% were born in Europe 8% were born in Africa and other regions
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Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 47 million people speak a language other than English in the home.
21 million speak English less than very well.
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
An individual who is just learning English may communicate well in everyday situations.
In the dental setting, however, the same
person may not fully understand what is being discussed.
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Cultural Competence
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Cultural Competency
Understanding that culture shapes an individuals
experience, perception, decisions, interpersonal relationships, and the way he or she responds to dental health care providers
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Cultural Competency (cont.)
Cultural competency is not just political correctness. It is
essential to providing patient care.
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Cultural Diversity
As health care providers, we need to increase our
awareness and sensitivity toward diverse patient populations and understand culturally influenced health behaviors and attitudes.
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How Does Culture Affect Dental Care? Culture influences the way that patients respond to: Dental services Preventive interventions It also affects the way that we deliver dental care.
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Cultural Differences Understanding differences helps communication and improves patient care.
Preconceived ideas about a culture can inhibit good care.
Each patient is unique and has different dental needs.
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Ways to Develop Cultural Competence Recognize your assumptions. Value diversity. Respect the customs, values, and beliefs of people from different cultural and language backgrounds. Demonstrate flexibility. Make changes to meet the needs of your diverse patients. Communicate with respect. Do not judge. Show empathy.
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
6 Misunderstandings
5 Trust
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Tips for Cross-Cultural Communication
Speak slowly and not loudly.
Let the patient answer questions one at a time. Repeat the message in a different way. Avoid using slang. Use short, simple sentences. Be an active listener and do not assume that the other person has understood.
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Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins More Tips Keep questions positive Take turns talking Give encouragement and support Use humor cautiously Pay attention to body language Use an interpreter who understands dental terms when needed
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Other Tips
Ask the patients permission before you touch him or her
Ask the patient to repeat instructions Provide written material, if possible
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Recap: Language Barriers 47 million people speak a language other than English in the home. Culture shapes the way that a person responds to dental health care providers and dental care. Understanding differences helps communication and improves patient care. Visuals and other tips discussed in the chapter can improve communication with non-English-speaking patients.
Copyright 2010 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins