Tips to establish rapport with various age groups

Child at dentist's office

While pediatric dentists are skilled at establishing rapport with children of various ages, there are some simple things the dental provider can ask of a caregiver during an exam.

  • Do you understand your child most of the time?
  • Do you have any concerns about the way your child sounds, talks, or hears?
  • Do you have any concerns about your child’s interaction with others?

Patient intake form

You may also want to consider adding additional questions on speech/swallowing development to your initial patient intake form.

  • What percentage of the time do you understand your child?
  • What percentage of the time do others understand your child?
Do you have any concerns regarding your child’s:
Ability to learn vocabulary words? Yes / No
Ability to use appropriate grammar when speaking? Yes / No
Ability to tell a story? Yes / No
Listening skills? Yes / No
Sucking, chewing, swallowing, or pickiness with food? Yes / No