Every day, you encounter different people and personalities when you step into your dentist's office. To determine the best way to deliver information to a patient, you need to understand the most common patient personalities and how to respond to them. Each patient is their own complex individual who deserves personalized medical care.

Getting to know your patients also inspires customer loyalty. That’s why at Dental Intelligence, we offer a unique loyalty program for dental patients. 

By learning about patient personality types, you’re one step closer to being a more successful dental practice.

Why Do Patient Personalities Matter?

You likely view your dentist office as a professional environment, not a social one. This might lead you to think that personalities are irrelevant in medical practices. You might take a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment and communication, but that would be a mistake. 

The best treatment involves trust between patient and dentist. To earn trust, you must set the foundation for it early on in your patient-dentist relationship. 

Without that trust, patients may disregard your instructions, and their health will never improve, no matter how many times you ask them to follow simple procedures. When this happens, the issue may not reside in the information you’re giving them, but in how you’re giving it. 

What Are Important Personality Traits in Patients?

Personalities exist as endless webs and intersections of qualities in a person. While difficult to narrow down, some stand out as particularly important when assessing each patient’s personality. 

Altruistic vs. Authoritarian 

An altruistic patient cares deeply for the well-being of others. Their focus is typically not on themselves or their health. On the other hand, authoritarians are more straightforward about following your instructions, as they are more likely to listen to authority figures by nature.

Emotive vs. Hyperthermic

These two extremes describe how expressive a patient is. An emotive patient will wear their emotions. Whether they feel nervous, angry, or in pain, you’ll know, whereas hyperthermic patients tend to be more stoic. 

Introverted vs. Extroverted 

How you speak to your patient should depend on if they are more introverted or extroverted. Introverted patients are quieter, while extroverted patients are more likely to make conversation and ask questions.

There are also social factors to consider. The working-class population is more likely to comply, while upper-class patients may ask more questions or be more defiant by nature.

4 Patient Personality Profiles to Keep in Mind

While it isn’t possible to describe every personality you’ll come across in your office, we’ve narrowed down a few common types and how best to respond to them. Learning these profiles will help you plan the best medical care for each patient and develop long-term, trusting relationships with patients.

1. The Commander

The commander walks into your office like they own the place. They like to take charge and believe they know better than you. They prefer straightforward communication, precision, and timeliness. Keep your communication focused on results rather than procedure. Giving them choices when possible may help them feel more in control of their care.

2. The Investigator

The investigator doesn’t come in with bad intentions, but they do come in with lots of questions. These patients, perhaps out of nervousness, want to know every detail about their treatment. Be patient with them, but remain ready to redirect the focus if their interrogation gets in the way of their actual treatment. Detail-oriented and likely to stick to schedules, investigators appreciate extra information and value consistent communication.

3. The Empath

The empath is altruistic and emotive, so you’ll know what they’re thinking even if they don’t express it verbally. They care about others and read people well, but take less control of their care. They may require more direct instructions and methods of motivation outside of their own well-being.

4. The Big-Picture Folks

Finally, people who value the big picture aren’t concerned with the details of their treatment. They’re likely extroverted and fun to have as patients. These people are goal-oriented and can take control of their treatment. They value a direct approach to communication.

Dental Solutions to Help You Tailor Care to Each Patient

As you can see, each patient personality has its strengths and weaknesses. Being able to assess each of your patients and determine how best to communicate with them is the difference between being a good dental practice and a great dental practice. Understanding this concept will make your practice more successful in the long term by increasing dental patient satisfaction.

Learn more about Dental Intelligence and our patient loyalty program and other dental solutions for practice management. Schedule your demo today!