Engaging with Patients
The College of Dentistry is committed to providing a welcoming and respectful environment for our patients. Below are resources to help provide exceptional service to patients.
Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Difference between "deaf," "Deaf, or "hard of hearing"
Explains the difference between “deaf,” “Deaf,” and “hard of hearing.” Describes other words to avoid.
Reducing communication barriers for deaf and hard of hearing patients
Non-technology and assistive technology recommendations for communicating with patients who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Enhancing services for deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind patients
Describes effective ways to communicate with individuals who are Deaf, deaf or hard of hearing.
10 tips for using a sign language interpreter
A sign language interpreter’s role is to facilitate communication between signed and spoken languages. Here are 10 tips on how to communicate through a sign language interpreter.
Limited English Proficiency
Best practices for working with an interpreter
Guidelines for working effectively with an interpreter.
Appropriate use of medical interpreters
Tips for working with interpreters, how to avoid common mistakes, and the benefits of working with an interpreter.
Blind & Vision Impaired
Caring better for people who are blind or visually impaired
Tips for caring for patients who are blind or visually impaired.
ADA Checklist: Healthcare facilities and service providers
Practical solutions concerning access to care by patients who are blind, deaf-blind, or visually impaired.
Special Healthcare Needs
ASTDD: Children and Adolescents with special health care needs
Information for oral health providers, patients with special health care needs, and their care providers regarding dental treatment and preventive care.
2-person wheelchair transfer
Directions for transferring a patient from a wheelchair to a dental chair.
Improving access to care for people with disabilities
Resources that can help ensure that people with disabilities receive equal access to health care information and services.
Low Literacy Skills & Other Reading Challenges
Definition of health literacy
Healthy People 2030 addresses both personal health literacy and organizational health literacy.
Health literacy universal precautions toolkit
The steps that practices take when they assume that all patients may have difficulty understanding health information and accessing health services.
CDC Clear Communication Index
The CDC Clear Communication Index is a research-based tool to help you develop and assess public communication materials.
Ask Me 3
Ask Me 3® encourages patients to ask their providers 3 specific questions to better understand their health conditions and what they need to do to stay healthy.