Summary

Importance of communication from a cultural and linguistic perspective in dental care

-A literature review

The aim of this literary review was to describe dental care situations where communication difficulties arise due to various cultural and linguistic aspects. This was investigated by the following questions: – What cultural aspects need to be taken into account in order to achieve satisfactory communication in healthcare/dental care? –How is healthcare/dental care affected by the use of verbal and non-verbal communication? – What evidence is there of the usage of alternative methods of communication when language barriers exist in dental care situations? Method was screened in the literary study, and was done as a literary review. Scientific articles have been sought out according to a three-step selection process to search for answers to the research questions. The results showed that the availability of a qualified interpreter ensures the establishment of good communication with dental care patients that have language problems. There is evidence of a significant difference in the use of a qualified interpreter and an interpreter without formal training. The creation of good dialogues and true communication is only possible when cultural and language barriers are broken by using a professional interpreter. In summary, dental care staff needs to meet every individual patient with interest and empathy, regardless of background or communicative ability.Keywords: Cultural Barriers, Dental Care, Foreign Background, Non-Verbal Communication.