[Doctor-patient Relationship in Dentistry]

Starting from experience gained as psychosomatic consultant at the Crown and Bridge Prosthetics Department of Zurich University Dental Institute, a description is given of the psycological aspects of the dentist-patient-relationship. This relationship is essentially determined by the patient (his personality, his ailment, his view of the ailment), the dentist (his personality, his comprehension of illness, his vocational motivation) and the interaction occuring between both. The relationship evolves simultaneously on different but closely interconnected levels. The material level covers mainly the contractual frame of the treatment. On the information level patient and dentist are continuously in verbal and nonverbal communication. On this level the patient's primary self-description and his problem definition-hs mouth, his personality as a whole, the dentist-are of particular importance. The relationship level shows a pronounced asymmetry between dentist and patient. Also the level of action, where dentist and patient alternate in the treatment of and the responsibility for the patient's mouth and teeth. In view of the growing psychosocial problems in dental practice a better training of dentists in medical psychology seems desirable.