Assessment of Dentists’ Communication Skills in Breaking Bad News to Patients

Effective communication between dentists and patients of adverse diagnosis significantly impacts patient satisfaction, engagement, and adherence to treatment plans. Limited research exists on the communication of bad news to patients. Objective: To assess the knowledge and skill of dentists in breaking bad news to the patients using the SPIKES protocol. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months, among practicing dentists from private and government sector of clinics, hospitals, and academic institutions. A structured questionnaire based on the SPIKES protocol was distributed via Google form. Results: The mean age of the participants (n=110) was 45.1 ± 8.0 years, with the majority (86.4%) hailing from India, followed by the USA, Middle East, Canada, and the UK. The sample included 49.1% females. The findings reveal that 70.6% of the dentists did not adhere to the SPIKES protocol in their practice. “Strategy” was the most (90.7%) consistently practiced step and the least (56.1%) practiced was “Set-up”. The need for structured communication protocols was recognized by 88.2%, but only 11.8% had received formal training in communicating bad news. Conclusion: Majority of the dentists adhered to the SPIKES protocol, but not all elements of the protocol were followed consistently. Integration of communication training into undergraduate dental education is essential. Mandatory continuing professional development programs are needed to enhance breaking bad news competencies and patient care outcomes.