Non-Technical Competences (Soft Skills) in Dentistry: Patients’ Perceptions in Private Dental Practices in Iași, Romania

Abstract

The quality of dental care is determined not only by the dentist’s technical competence but also by their ability to communicate effectively, listen actively, and establish a relationship of trust with the patient. Patients’ perceptions of dentists’ soft skills represent an essential component of patient-centered care; however, evidence from Romania remains limited. Aim: To evaluate patients’ perceptions of the importance of dentists’ non-technical (soft) skills in private dental practices and to analyze the influence of socio-demographic characteristics on these perceptions. Materials and Methods: The study included 297 patients attending private dental practices in Iași, Romania, who anonymously completed a questionnaire consisting of 20 items rated on a five-point Likert scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 31.0. The Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test were applied where appropriate. Results: Communication and interpersonal skills were considered the most important competencies by patients (91.3%), followed by cognitive skills (84.2%) and personal characteristics (80.2%), whereas artistic skills received the lowest level of appreciation (49.9%). Communication and interpersonal skills were the most highly valued domain (91.3%), followed by cognitive skills (84.2%) and personal characteristics (80.2%), whereas artistic skills received the lowest ratings (49.9%). Younger patients, urban residents, individuals with higher educational attainment, and those attending regular dental check-ups tended to assign greater importance to several of the non-technical competency domains assessed. The most pronounced age-related difference concerned digital technologies, with acceptance of telemedicine and digital communication decreasing markedly with increasing age. Conclusions: Communication and interpersonal skills were the non-technical competencies most highly valued by patients. The observed differences according to socio-demographic characteristics support the need for an individualized communication approach in dental practice.