Dental Hygiene Communications Review
DH COMM Test 1 Overview
Introduction to Dental Hygiene Communications
Purpose of Communication:
To fulfill various needs:
Physical Needs
Identity Needs
Social Needs
Attain Practical Goals (as per Maslow's Hierarchy)
Importance of Written Communication
Benefits:
Creates a permanent record
Facilitates information storage for future reference
Easier distribution of information
Ensures uniformity of information received by all recipients
Establishes principles, policies, and rules for organizational operations
Serves as a permanent means of communication, essential for maintaining records
Domains of Language
Four Language Domains:
Reading
Definition: Process of understanding, interpreting, and evaluating written language and text with fluency.
Writing
Definition: Engaging in written communication across various situations, purposes, and audiences.
Listening
Definition: Processing, understanding, interpreting, and evaluating spoken language in diverse situations.
Speaking
Definition: Engaging in oral communication in various contexts and for different purposes and audiences.
Forms of Communication
Three Forms:
Informal
General
Formal
Confusing Words
Common Confusions:
A long vs. along
A part vs. apart
Accept vs. except
All ready vs. already
Bare vs. bear
Brake vs. break
Conscience vs. conscious
Desert vs. dessert
Every day vs. everyday
Every one vs. everyone
Flower vs. flour
It’s vs. its
Lead vs. led
Loose vs. lose
Passed vs. past
Pore vs. pour
Sole vs. soul
Some time vs. sometimes
Than vs. then
Their vs. there vs. they’re
To vs. too vs. two
Ware vs. wear vs. where
Were vs. we’re
Who’s vs. whose
Your vs. you’re
A lot vs. alot
Affect vs. effect
Lie vs. lay
Words Written as Single vs. Separate
Single Words:
Itself
Nowadays
Somehow
Whenever
Whereas
Wherever
Separate Words:
All right
A lot
At least
Each other
Even though
No one
Common Spelling Errors
Notable Errors:
Perform
Believe
Abscess
Ceiling
Receive
Perceive
Fluoride
Vein
Accommodate
Foreign
Definitely
Prescription
Weird
Petechia, petechiae
Occasion
Tumour
Recommend
Millimetre
Separate
Odour
Simplifying Sentences
Examples of Simplification:
Instead of saying “Due to the fact that…”, use:
“Except…”
“How…”
“Because…”
“If…”
Identifying Grammar Mistakes
Sample Sentences:
Its time for us to go eat lunch.
There dog is bigger than our dog.
My cats toy makes an annoying, squeaky sound.
I went to the movies and than I went home.
Your my best friend.
Corrected Grammar Sentences
Corrections:
It’s time for us to go eat lunch.
Their dog is bigger than our dog.
My cat’s toy makes an annoying, squeaky sound.
I went to the movies and then I went home.
You’re my best friend.
Proofreading Passages
Instructions:
Identify and correct errors in grammar, usage, punctuation, and spelling in designated passages for Standard Canadian English.
Mark all incorrect words, phrases, or punctuation, and indicate the desired correction clearly.
Medical/Dental Terminology
Key Terms:
Glossa = tongue
Retro- = backward, behind
Supra- = above, excessive
Dys- = bad, difficult
Peri- = around, about
Mal- = bad
-troph/o = growth
-itis = inflammation
Mesi/o = middle
Ab- = away from
Stoma = mouth
-oma = tumour
Gingiv- = gum of the mouth
Dent = teeth
-otomy = to make an incision or cut
Other Dental Terminology
Additional Terms:
Melan/o = black
Mandible = lower jaw
Necrosis = death
Cheil/o = lip
Hypo = below normal, deficient
Hyper = above normal, excessive
Trans = across, through, beyond
Hydro = water
Bucco = cheek
Plurals in Medical Terminology
Examples of Plural Forms:
Maxilla - maxillae
Matrix - matrices
Alveolus - alveoli
Cellulitis - cellulitides
Pharynx - pharynges
Necrosis - necroses
Osteoma - osteomae
Diagnosis - diagnoses
Biopsy - biopsies
Fungus - fungi
Apex - apices
Bacillus - bacilli
Fulcrum - fulcra
Exotosis - exotoses
Index - indices
Calculus - calculi
Appendix - appendices
Gingiva - gingivae
Sulcus - sulci
Alveolus - alveoli
Vertebra - vertebrae
Levels of Language / Presentation Skills
Effective Presentation Components:
Content:
Decide on 2 or 3 main points; ensure content is logical, simple, and clear.
Design:
Legibility is paramount.
Avoid excess text; use large fonts that are easily readable.
Maintain high contrast between text and background color.
Images should enhance and clarify the text content.
Delivery:
Engage audience through eye contact and energetic presentation.
Slides should support, not dominate, the presentation.
Tips for Effective Presentations
Recommendations:
Show passion and connect with your audience.
Prioritize the audience's needs.
Simplify: Focus on the core message.
Smile and maintain eye contact.
Start strongly to capture attention.
Storytelling can enhance engagement.
Use your voice effectively to maintain interest.
Foundations of Written Communications
Outlining:
An outline maps the final document and aids in organizing ideas logically.
Reasons to Use an Outline:
Facilitates the writing process
Helps organize thoughts
Presents material logically
Defines relationships among ideas
Creates a comprehensive overview
Sets boundaries and grouping for content
Basic Format of an Outline
Outline Structure:
Title
I. Introduction
A. Opening Statement(s)
B. Premise/Thesis/Main Theme
C. Statement of points
Expanded Outline Format
II. Body
A. Point 1
Supporting Information
B. Point 2
Supporting Information
III. Conclusion/Summary
A. Restate Thesis
B. Summary of main points
C. Conclusion reached
D. Closing Statement (Restatement of premise)
IV. Citations
Basic Paragraph Structure
Three Parts of a Paragraph:
Topic Sentence: Introduces the main point with transitions.
Supporting Details: Explains terms in the main point with examples or details; includes explanations for supporting evidence.
Closing Sentence: A summary sentence that wraps up the paragraph.
Understanding Jargon
Definition:
Jargon refers to specialized terminology associated with specific fields, which may not be well understood outside the context of use.
Summarizing Written Information
Types of Summaries:
Summary: Condenses large amounts of material into an efficient format, covering scope and emphasis.
Précis: Reproduces the logic, organization, and emphasis of the original text accurately; often used for summarizing articles or essays.
Abstract/Executive Summary:
A stand-alone statement that conveys essential information about a paper, article, or document; covers objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of research.
Abstract Writing
Definition of Abstract:
An abstract summarizes the entire study and is written at the end.
Content of an Abstract:
State the problem
Explain the significance of resolving the problem
Describe the methods used in the solution
Provide insights into the outcomes of the solution
Report Writing Essentials
Characteristics of Reports:
Focus on facts and are often experiment-oriented.
Commonly used in scientific contexts compared to essays.
Types of Research Basis:
Primary Research: Based on original experiments or investigations.
Secondary Research: Incorporates findings from others' research.
Organized using headings to separate sections.
Types of Reports
Informational Report:
Presents information without recommendations or conclusions; organized by topic or importance.
Analytical Report:
Analyzes, explains, and solves problems regarding issues or procedures; ends with recommendations.
Persuasive Report:
Similar to analytical; seeks to convince or promote an idea or product.
Applied Written Communication
Key Skills:
Understand differences across language levels
Grasp paragraph structure
Familiarize with outline structuring
Recognize the significance of resumes and cover letters, including essential elements.
Chapter Highlights
Chapter 1:
Reasons for Communication: Identity, physical, social needs, practical goals.
Introduction to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
Models of Communication: Linear vs. Transactional (involves sender, encode, message, channel, receiver, decode) and noise types.
Stages of Learning Communication Skills; Communication Competence; Interpersonal Communication.
Chapter 2:
Explores Self-Concept, Self-Esteem, and their Effect on Communication Behavior.
Discusses individualistic versus collectivistic cultures (e.g., Canada vs. parts of Asia and the Middle East).
Introduces Self-Fulfilling Prophecies & Identity Management, including insights into the Transgender Client.
Chapter 3:
Perception: Definition and process through selection, organization, and interpretation.
Ethnocentrism: Definition, along with how to perform perception checking with three steps.
Discusses empathy and its distinction from sympathy, showcasing how culture can affect perspective-taking.
Chapter 4:
Analyzes strong emotions and their physiological basis.
Categorizes emotions as primary vs. mixed, facilitative vs. debilitative; discusses common fallacies in emotional reasoning.
Chapter 5:
Distinguishes between symbolic language and its effects on communication.
Discusses evaluted language and the impact of cultural context on communication using examples.