Have you ever encountered a patient with a totally unpronounceable name? What do you do? Try to sound it out? Give it your best shot?
The best thing to do is to ask the patient how to pronounce it. The patient will appreciate it, and most likely thank you for wanting to pronounce it right. People who have names that are constantly mispronounced are grateful when others want to pronounce it right.
Patients pay attention to everything in the dental clinic or office. One of the things they notice is how they are treated. Simple things can mean a lot, and taking the time to learn how to pronounce a patient’s name correctly is an easy way to treat that patient well. It can set the stage for a pleasant interaction.
