The Process of Interpersonal Communication between Dentists and Patients

: Interpersonal communication is a fundamental aspect of the relationship between dentists and patients. This research aims to explore the process of effective interpersonal communication in this context. Using a qualitative approach with descriptive methods, data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations of interactions between dentists and patients during the counseling process. The findings indicate that the use of easily understandable language, empathetic attitudes, supportive attitudes, positive attitudes, and equality in communication from the dentist are crucial in building a good therapeutic relationship with the patient. Most patients felt comfortable and open to sharing their problems and conditions due to the non-judgmental, empathetic, supportive, and positive attitudes of the dentist. However, professional boundaries are still necessary to maintain equality in the doctor-patient relationship. This research emphasizes the importance of effective interpersonal communication in enhancing patient satisfaction, providing treatment, and facilitating better healthcare.


INTRODUCTION
Interpersonal communication is a fundamental aspect of human life as social beings (Suranto, 2019).This type of communication allows participants to capture each other's verbal and nonverbal reactions.Effective interpersonal communication is crucial in various fields, including healthcare.Hospitals are healthcare institutions where interpersonal communication between doctors and patients plays a vital role (Panitra & Tamburian, 2019).In the counseling and therapy process, effective interpersonal communication between the counselor/therapist and the client/patient is critical to the success of the process (Putri et al., 2022).Good interpersonal communication enables the counselor/therapist to build a trusting

RELATED WORK
Interpersonal communication is an essential aspect in establishing a good relationship between dentists and patients.Effective communication between the two is necessary to ensure that treatment and care can proceed smoothly and optimally.Therefore, a deep understanding of theories and concepts related to interpersonal communication becomes highly relevant in this context.In this related work discussion, two main theories relevant to the interpersonal communication process between dentists and patients will be discussed, namely the Social Penetration Theory and Interpersonal Communication.The Social Penetration Theory provides a framework for understanding how interpersonal relationships develop from a shallow stage towards a more intimate and close stage.Meanwhile, the concept of Interpersonal Communication provides an understanding of important dimensions in communication between two individuals, such as openness, empathy, supportive attitudes, positive attitudes, and equality.

A. Social Penetration Theory
The Social Penetration Theory is one of the relevant theories in discussing the interpersonal communication process between dentists and patients.This theory explains how interpersonal relationships develop from a shallow stage towards a more intimate and close stage (Altman & Taylor, 1973).In the context of the dentist-patient relationship, this theory can be used to understand the process of forming a deeper relationship between the two.The Social Penetration Theory depicts levels or layers in an individual's personality, referred to as "circles of intimacy".Initially, the dentist-patient relationship is at the outermost circle, representing the most general and shallow aspects of personality.However, through an increasingly intimate process of self-disclosure, their relationship can move towards deeper circles, achieving a greater level of intimacy.The process of social penetration in the dentist-patient relationship can be influenced by factors such as individual personalities, situations and environments, attraction and similarity, and reciprocity (Altman & Taylor, 1973).For example, a dentist who is open and confident is more likely to engage in social penetration with patients, or a comfortable and private environment can facilitate the social penetration process.

B. Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is an essential aspect in the interaction process between dentists and patients.Interpersonal communication involves face-to-face encounters between two people, in this case, the dentist and the patient (Rakhmawati, 2019).Interpersonal

G. Data Collection Techniques
Data will be collected through in-depth interviews.In-depth interviews will be conducted faceto-face with dentist and patients to obtain information about their experiences in the interpersonal communication process during counseling (Altman & Taylor, 1973).The data obtained from interviews and observations will be analyzed using thematic analysis techniques (Amir, 2016).The analysis process includes data coding, identification of main themes, and interpretation of findings in the context of relevant theories and literature.

H. Data Validity Technique
To ensure data validity, this research will employ data source triangulation techniques, which involve comparing data from different sources (doctors and patients) to obtain confirmation or a more complete understanding (Syahri et al., 2022).Additionally, member checking will be conducted by asking participants to confirm the accuracy of the researcher's interpretations (Elvitasari et al., 2022).This research will adhere to the principles of research ethics, such as maintaining participant confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, and respecting participants' rights.

RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Based on the questionnaire results, effective interpersonal communication between dentists and patients is crucial in ensuring the success of the treatment.It is important for dentists to use language that is easily understood by patients so that patients can comprehend the purpose and goals of the treatment being conducted.This aligns with the dimension of openness in interpersonal communication, which emphasizes clarity of messages and mutual understanding between the communicator and the communicant (DeVito, 2021).In addition to language, another aspect that dentists pay attention to when communicating with patients is the patients' body movements and facial expressions (Rakhmawati, 2019).This reflects the dimension of empathy in interpersonal communication, where dentists strive to understand the patient's perspective and feelings through nonverbal cues (DeVito, 2021).Dentists also apply a supportive attitude by agreeing with patients' statements that align with the facts, as well as a positive attitude by attentively listening to patients' complaints, using polite greetings, and patiently and repeatedly explaining.One of the challenges faced in interpersonal communication with patients is the difference in local languages used by patients (Altman & Taylor, 1973).This can complicate the process of self-disclosure and social penetration between dentists and patients, thus hindering the formation of a more intimate and close relationship.To overcome this challenge, dentists need to apply equality in communication by using polite language and creating a comfortable environment for patients (DeVito, 2021).Interpersonal communication is crucial in the treatment process to facilitate the communication of information related to the patient's disease and enable more effective treatment ( These findings align with previous research emphasizing the importance of effective interpersonal communication between doctors and patients in the context of healthcare.The use of language that is easily understood by patients is a key factor in ensuring good understanding and adherence to treatment (Putri et al., 2022).Research has also shown that adapting communication styles to patients' characteristics can increase patient satisfaction and better treatment outcomes.Barriers in interpersonal communication, such as differences in local languages, are challenges faced in clinical practice.This is consistent with research findings that language and cultural differences can hinder accurate information exchange between doctors and patients.Therefore, efforts to build openness, empathy, supportive attitudes, and positive attitudes in communication become crucial in overcoming these barriers.Furthermore, the results from the questionnaire to patients showed that most respondents felt comfortable when communicating with the dentist, especially when the dentist used a soft tone of voice, a friendly facial expression, and a non-judgmental way of communicating about the patient's condition.Aspects that made respondents feel comfortable included the use of easyto-understand language, empathetic attitudes, supportive attitudes, and positive attitudes from the dentist.One patient stated, "I felt comfortable because the dentist understood my complaints and did not judge the patient's condition."This shows that the dentist's empathetic attitude was highly appreciated by the patient, in line with the dimension of empathy in interpersonal communication (DeVito, 2021).Patients felt that the dentist tried to understand their perspective and feelings, making them more open to sharing their problems and conditions with the dentist.Most patients expressed that they felt open to sharing their problems and conditions with the dentist.One of the main reasons driving this openness was the patients' belief that by being open, their complaints could be better addressed.This aligns with the dimension of openness in interpersonal communication, where openness allows for better understanding between the communicator and the communicant (DeVito, 2021).Respondents tended to be open to sharing their problems and conditions with the dentist because they felt accepted, listened to, and received useful information for their health.Empathetic, supportive, and positive attitudes from the dentist were considered very important in creating comfort, building trust, and motivating patients in the treatment process.The dentist's attitude of equality in communication was also considered important in building a closer relationship with patients, although some respondents acknowledged the need for certain boundaries.These findings align with previous research emphasizing the importance of effective interpersonal communication in the context of healthcare.The use of simple and easy-tounderstand language for patients is a key aspect in building a positive therapeutic relationship between doctors and patients (Putri et al., 2022).Empathetic, supportive, and positive attitudes from the dentist were also highly appreciated by patients.This is in line with research showing that empathetic attitudes from doctors can increase patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and better health outcomes (Panitra & Tamburian, 2019).Supportive and positive attitudes also contribute to the formation of trust and comfort for patients.These findings also highlight the importance of openness in communication between doctors and patients (Sabila, 2020).When patients feel accepted and understood, they tend to be more open to sharing important information about their condition, which in turn can help doctors provide more appropriate care.However, some respondents acknowledged the need for certain boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship to maintain professionalism.This is consistent with the view that, although equality in communication is important, there must be clear boundaries to prevent over-attachment or excessive dependence between doctors and patients.

CONCLUSIONS
Effective interpersonal communication is a fundamental aspect in the relationship between dentists and patients.This research shows that the use of simple and easy-to-understand language for patients, empathetic attitudes, supportive attitudes, positive attitudes, and equality in communication from dentists are crucial in building a positive therapeutic relationship.This aligns with the dimensions of the interpersonal communication concept, such as openness, empathy, supportive attitudes, positive attitudes, and equality.The findings indicate that most patients feel comfortable and open to sharing their problems and conditions with the dentist when the dentist uses a soft tone of voice, a friendly facial expression, and a non-judgmental way of communicating.Patients appreciate the dentist's empathetic attitude in trying to understand their perspective and feelings.Additionally, the dentist's supportive and positive attitudes greatly contribute to building trust and comfort for patients.However, some patients acknowledge the need for certain boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship to maintain professionalism.This aligns with the importance of maintaining equality in communication without eliminating clear boundaries between doctors and patients.