The Art of Confrontation in Dentistry

Soft Bites Podcast

Difficult conversations are hard but much needed in a dental practice if you want things to go smoothly. It seems a paradox but it's not: confrontation is part of healthy conflict resolution. Confrontation situations can be described as conversations where you are worried about an emotional reaction (either from you or from the other person). Mastering confrontation is difficult and most people have difficulty expressing how they feel in a straightforward and frank manner that resolves conflict. But you can overcome this if you positively reframe confrontation. In this episode, we talk about healthy confrontations. Confrontation does not mean shouting at someone or being rough or hurtful. It means being authentic while preserving the relationship. It usually requires a combination of assertiveness and care — firm compassion - because you want to create clarity and understanding. One insight: prepare for confrontation and make sure you are emotionally ready. Before a difficult conversation always check: do you want to achieve something positive or do you just want to be right? Are you able to listen in an attentive way to the other’s position? Have you clarified your mind so that you know what you want to say? If you want to learn more about this and how to master leadership skills in dentistry take a look at our Conscious Leadership Course here: ⁠https://softbites.online/⁠ We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Leave a comment or connect with us on social media. Your comments and messages will help us to know you and our profession better so that we can offer real value in return. And, if you like it, please subscribe! Follow us on Instagram ⁠@mindful.dentistry⁠ & ⁠@andredolf⁠