Understanding patients personality traits - New era of narrative dentistry

Could creating a multisensory experience within our offices help patients see their oral health and treatment options in new ways?

Yes, we can change the narrative about our profession – but it starts with us. We are so much more than the sound of a high-speed handpiece and the yearly appointment our patients dread. We have the power to transform people's lives and vastly improve their quality of life – and we should be proud to tell our communities all about it. The dental profession is amazing, and we shouldn't be afraid to show it off!

The Enneagram is a personality typing system that can be used to gain a better understanding of oneself and others. Narrative dentistry and narrative medicine are approaches that focus on the personal stories and experiences of patients and healthcare providers. Storytelling is a way of communicating information, ideas, or experiences through the use of stories.

All of these concepts can be related in the sense that they all involve understanding and utilizing the power of personal narratives and stories. The Enneagram can provide insight into the motivations, behaviors, and communication styles of individuals, which can be helpful in understanding their personal stories and experiences. Narrative dentistry and narrative medicine prioritize the personal stories of patients and providers, and use these stories to improve care and understanding. And storytelling can be a powerful tool for communicating information and ideas, including in the context of dental and medical care.

Overall, the Enneagram, narrative dentistry, narrative medicine, and storytelling all involve using the power of personal stories and narratives to improve understanding and communication in the context of healthcare.

The Enneagram is a personality typing system that can be used to gain a better understanding of oneself and others. It can be a helpful tool in dental clinical practice as it can provide insight into the motivations, behaviors, and communication styles of patients. This can help dentists to tailor their approach to each individual and provide more personalized care.

Here are some ways that dentists can use the Enneagram in their clinical practice:

1. Determine the Enneagram type of your patients: The first step in using the Enneagram in clinical practice is to determine the Enneagram type of your patients. This can be done through a combination of observation and self-reported information from the patient.
2. Understand the motivations, behaviors, and communication styles of each Enneagram type: Each Enneagram type has its own unique set of motivations, behaviors, and communication styles. By understanding these traits, dentists can tailor their approach to each individual patient. For example, a patient who is an Enneagram Type 1 (the Reformer) may be motivated by a sense of responsibility and a desire for improvement, and may be more receptive to a logical, organized approach to dental care.
3. Use the Enneagram to improve communication and build trust: The Enneagram can be a helpful tool for improving communication and building trust with patients. By understanding the Enneagram type of your patient, you can tailor your communication style to their needs and preferences. This can help to build a stronger rapport and foster a sense of trust between you and your patient.
4. Use the Enneagram to improve patient compliance: The Enneagram can also be used to improve patient compliance with treatment plans. By understanding the motivations and behaviors of each Enneagram type, dentists can tailor their approach to each individual patient to increase the likelihood of compliance with treatment recommendations.

Overall, the Enneagram can be a valuable tool for dentists to use in their clinical practice. By understanding the Enneagram types of their patients, dentists can provide more personalized care and improve communication, trust, and compliance.

The nine Enneagram types are as follows:

1. The Reformer (Type 1) may be highly motivated to maintain good dental health, but may struggle with perfectionism and a tendency to overlook their own needs.
2. The Helper (Type 2) may be attentive to their own dental health, but may be more concerned with pleasing others and may have difficulty setting boundaries around dental care.
3. The Achiever (Type 3) may prioritize maintaining a good appearance, including their dental health, but may be prone to overdoing it and neglecting their overall health.
4. The Individualist (Type 4) may have a strong personal connection to their dental health and may be willing to invest in aesthetic treatments, but may also struggle with self-acceptance and neglecting their own needs.
5. The Investigator (Type 5) may prioritize efficiency and cost-effectiveness in their dental care, but may also be prone to procrastination and neglecting their own health.
6. The Loyalist (Type 6) may be conscientious about their dental health and follow treatment plans, but may also struggle with anxiety and second-guessing themselves.
7. The Enthusiast (Type 7) may enjoy trying out new dental treatments and products, but may also have difficulty sticking to a consistent routine and prioritizing their health.
8. The Challenger (Type 8) may prioritize maintaining control over their dental health and may be willing to push back against treatments they don't agree with, but may also struggle with impulsivity and neglecting their own health.
9. The Peacemaker (Type 9) may prioritize harmony and avoid conflicts, including in their dental care, but may also have difficulty advocating for their own needs and following through with treatment plans.

These are just some possible ways that Enneagram types may relate to dental health. It is important to remember that each individual is unique and may not fit perfectly into any one Enneagram type.

To use the information in this table to identify patients' personalities in a dental clinic, you could create a questionnaire or survey for patients to fill out. The questionnaire could include questions related to the strengths and weaknesses of each personality type, as well as questions about their behavior, habits, and attitudes. Based on their answers, you could use the information in the table to identify the dominant personality type for each patient.

Once you have identified a patient's personality type, you can use the information in the "HOW TO WORK WITH THEM" column to guide your interactions with them. For example, if a patient is a type One (The Perfectionist), you could be clear about your expectations for their treatment and set deadlines for them to follow. If a patient is a type Four (The Romantic), you could make sure to understand and respect their unique perspective and encourage them to balance their emotions with critical thinking.

In general, it is important to be empathetic and understanding when interacting with patients, regardless of their personality type. By using the information in the table as a starting point, you can tailor your approach to each individual patient and create a positive and productive working relationship with them.

Here is a sample survey that could be used to identify patients' personality types in a dental clinic:

1. Are you a perfectionist who always strives for high standards?

• Yes
• No

2. Do you enjoy helping others and often put their needs ahead of your own?

• Yes
• No

3. Are you driven by a need to be successful and avoid failure?

• Yes
• No

4. Are you creative and sensitive, with a unique perspective on the world?

• Yes
• No

5. Are you analytical and emotionally detached, with a strong need for privacy?

• Yes
• No

6. Are you practical and loyal, with a tendency to worry about potential problems?

• Yes
• No

7. Are you fun-loving and spontaneous, with a desire for excitement and adventure?

• Yes
• No

8. Are you strong and assertive, with a need to control your environment and others?

• Yes
• No

9. Are you easy-going and accommodating, with a desire for harmony and peace?

• Yes
• No

Based on the answers to these questions, you can use the information in the table above to identify the dominant personality type for each patient. This can help guide your interactions with them and create a positive and productive working relationship.

Based on the answers to the sample survey questions above, the possible personality types that could be identified are:

• Type One (The Perfectionist): If a patient answers "Yes" to the first question, they may be a type One.
• Type Two (The Helper): If a patient answers "Yes" to the second question, they may be a type Two.
• Type Three (The Performer): If a patient answers "Yes" to the third question, they may be a type Three.
• Type Four (The Romantic): If a patient answers "Yes" to the fourth question, they may be a type Four.
• Type Five (The Investigator): If a patient answers "Yes" to the fifth question, they may be a type Five.
• Type Six (The Loyalist): If a patient answers "Yes" to the sixth question, they may be a type Six.
• Type Seven (The Enthusiast): If a patient answers "Yes" to the seventh question, they may be a type Seven.
• Type Eight (The Challenger): If a patient answers "Yes" to the eighth question, they may be a type Eight.
• Type Nine (The Peacemaker): If a patient answers "Yes" to the ninth question, they may be a type Nine.

It is important to note that this survey is only a starting point for identifying patients' personality types, and should not be used as the sole basis for determining their type. Further assessment and observation may be necessary to accurately identify a patient's personality type.

The take-home message for dentists is that understanding the Enneagram can improve their interactions with patients and provide better care. By using a survey or questionnaire to identify patients' personality types, dentists can tailor their approach to each individual patient and create more positive and productive relationships. This can lead to higher levels of patient satisfaction and better dental health outcomes.

Here are some possible frequently asked questions (FAQs):

1. What is the Enneagram and how does it relate to dental care?

The Enneagram is a personality typing system that can provide insight into the motivations, behaviors, and communication styles of individuals. In dental clinical practice, the Enneagram can be a helpful tool for understanding patients and tailoring care to their unique needs and preferences.

2. How do I determine the Enneagram type of my patients?

There are several methods for determining the Enneagram type of your patients. This can be done through a combination of observation and self-reported information from the patient. Some dentists may also choose to use Enneagram assessment tools to help determine the type of their patients.

3. How can the Enneagram improve communication and trust with patients?

By understanding the Enneagram type of your patient, you can tailor your communication style to their needs and preferences. This can help to build a stronger rapport and foster a sense of trust between you and your patient.

4. Can the Enneagram improve patient compliance with treatment plans?

Yes, the Enneagram can be used to improve patient compliance with treatment plans. By understanding the motivations and behaviors of each Enneagram type, dentists can tailor their approach to each individual patient to increase the likelihood of compliance with treatment recommendations.

5. Is the Enneagram the only tool I should use in my dental practice?

No, the Enneagram is just one tool among many that dentists can use to improve their practice and provide better care to their patients. It should be used in combination with other approaches and techniques to provide a well-rounded approach to dental care.

Disclaimer:

This article presents hypothetical literature on using the Enneagram in dental clinical practice. The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional dental advice. The Enneagram is a personality typing system and should not be used as a diagnostic tool. The author is seeking support from dental professionals to develop case studies and further explore the use of the Enneagram in dental clinical practice. Please contact the author if you are interested in supporting this project.