Miss Moe Iwasawa, Oral Health Therapist
BOH
Moe I. is an Oral Health Therapist who graduated from the University of Sydney’s Bachelor of Oral Health program in 2022 and has worked in private general dental practices across Sydney since 2023. As a relatively new graduate, Moe brings a current, real-world perspective on the challenges of transitioning into private practice, navigating new clinics, and building patient trust as a new clinician.
Moe has been recognised as a finalist for the Dental Care Awards’ Outstanding Young Dental Professional and twice as a Youth Finalist in the Northern Beaches Local Business Awards. She is a NSW/ACT Regional Committee Member of the Oral Health Association of Australia (OHAA), where she advocates for professional growth, wellbeing, and preventive care within the oral health workforce.
Passionate about making dentistry more accessible and less intimidating, Moe is particularly interested in communication, patient experience, and the mental health and work–life balance of oral health professionals. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys Pilates, reading, baking, and creative pursuits.
Disarming & Charming: The Art of Patient Communication
Effective communication is one of the most powerful clinical tools in dentistry, yet it is rarely taught in a practical, repeatable way. This session explores how clinicians can reduce patient anxiety, build trust quickly, and improve understanding and consent through intentional chairside communication. Using a simple, evidence-informed framework, the presentation focuses on the first minutes of patient interaction, adapting communication styles to different personalities, and explaining diagnoses and treatment plans in clear, non-threatening language.
Attendees will be introduced to practical scripts, patient-friendly analogies, and reassurance techniques that help patients feel safe, informed, and respected. Emphasis is placed on consistency of care, positive reinforcement, and post-appointment follow-up as key drivers of patient confidence and long-term engagement. This session is designed to provide immediately applicable strategies for clinicians working in busy, real-world dental settings.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Apply structured communication strategies to quickly build rapport and trust with new and returning patients.
- Adapt chairside communication to suit different patient personalities, including anxious or non-talkative patients.
- Explain common dental conditions and treatment options using patient-friendly language and analogies to support informed consent.
- Use reassurance-based communication techniques to set post-treatment expectations without increasing patient stress.
- Incorporate positive reinforcement and follow-up practices to improve patient experience, compliance, and continuity of care.