Supporting Patients to Make Their Own Decisions

Before treating someone as unable to decide, staff must first try practical measures to help them decide for themselves. Dental nurses can make a significant difference: the right explanation, timing, setting, communication aid or familiar supporter can change an apparently impossible conversation into a meaningful choice.

Support that may help

• Use short explanations, pictures, models or written summaries.
• Reduce noise, haste and unnecessary people in the room.
• Ask whether the patient has a better time of day for appointments.
• Allow extra processing time before expecting an answer.
• Use interpreters, BSL support, Easy Read information or carer input where appropriate.
• Check whether pain, infection, anxiety or medication is affecting the discussion.

Supporting decision-making is not the same as steering the patient towards the practice's preferred option. Be alert for language that becomes persuasive rather than informative, especially where cost, carer pressure or a strong professional view is present.

A practical prompt for the team is: "What could we change so this patient has a better chance of deciding?" That may mean a second appointment, a written summary, a quieter room, a familiar carer, pain relief first or asking the dentist to explain one decision at a time.

Communication systems the practice should have

Supporting capacity means making the decision more understandable, not making the decision for the patient.