Dentistry Begins with Listening
16 June 2026
People are often surprised when we say that dentistry is not really about teeth. At least, not at first. The technical side of dentistry is important. Diagnosis matters. Experience matters. Treatment matters. But before any of those things come into play, something else has to happen. We have to understand each other. One of the first things we often ask patients is:
“What is bothering you?” Or sometimes: “What would you like to change?”
Then we listen.
The most important part of any consultation
That may sound simple, but over the years we have come to believe it is one of the most important parts of any consultation. As dentists, we are trained to notice details. We see worn teeth, recession, missing teeth, old restorations, bite problems and subtle changes that many patients may never notice themselves. But patients do not come to us as diagnoses.
They come to us as people. With experiences. Concerns. Expectations. Sometimes fears. And occasionally with memories of previous dental experiences that still influence how they feel today. If we do not understand those things, it becomes difficult to provide truly personalised care.
No concern is insignificant
One of the privileges of practising dentistry for many years is learning that what matters most to a patient is not always what matters most to a dentist. A patient may be concerned about a small gap that nobody else notices. Another may be worried about a missing tooth that has affected their confidence for years. Someone else may simply want reassurance that everything is healthy. None of those concerns are insignificant.
Because if something matters to a patient, it matters to us. Modern dentistry offers remarkable possibilities. We can replace missing teeth. We can restore worn teeth. We can improve smiles. We can treat disease and rebuild function in ways that previous generations could only have imagined. But just because something can be changed does not always mean it should be. One of the responsibilities we take seriously is helping patients understand their options without creating concerns that were never there in the first place.
Sometimes the right answer is treatment. Sometimes it is monitoring. Sometimes it is reassurance. Good dentistry is not about finding more to do. It is about understanding what is genuinely in the patient’s best interests.
Understanding expectations
Over the years, we have found that the most successful treatment plans often begin in the same way. Not with a scan. Not with a radiograph. Not with a treatment proposal. But with a conversation. The longer we practise, the more convinced we become that listening is not a passive skill. It is an essential part of patient care. It helps us understand priorities. It helps us understand expectations. And it reminds us that behind every tooth, every radiograph and every treatment plan is a person placing their trust in us.
That trust should never be taken for granted. Perhaps that is why we continue to believe that good dentistry begins in exactly the same place it always has. With listening. Everything else follows from there.
About the Authors
Dr Sanaz Tehrani, DDS (Germany), and Dr Pedram Negahban DDS (Germany), DipImpDent RCS (Eng.), AssocFCGDent, are the Clinical Directors of Implant & Perio Clinic in Marylebone, Central London.
They believe that listening is one of the most important skills a dentist can develop and that the best treatment plans begin with understanding what matters to the patient.
Implant & Perio Clinic is located on Portland Place, Marylebone, near Harley Street, London W1.
If you would like to discuss your concerns in a calm, unhurried setting, you can book a consultation with our team in Marylebone, Central London.
