Emotional Intelligence Found to be more Important than IQ for Dentist-Patient Relationship

by Jacob Willam SEO Wizard

A new study is said to show that while IQ is an important quality, EI is actually the more important quality when it comes to dentist-patient relationships.

Research from the Case Western Reserve University’s School of Dental Medicine and Weatherhead School of Management is claiming that emotional intelligence simply trumps IQ when it comes to how well a dental student works with patients.

EI is said to influence just how well a dental student can both recognize and manage the general emotional states of patients, as well as navigate their own professional relationships, explains Kristin Victoroff, DDS, PhD and Richard Boyatzis, PhD. The two discuss their finding in the latest version of the Journal of Dental Education article, “What is the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence and Dental School Clinical Performance?”

How EI differs from IQ is part of the very fundamental difference in how the two matter for dentists and their work. EI, which is a form of intelligence sometimes scoffed at by some intelligence-elitists, is the ability to read moods both of one’s self and of others. It is, in essence, one’s ability to sympathize, empathize reasonably.

“Emotional intelligence is distinct from traditional intelligence or IQ,” said Boyatzis, a Distinguished University Professor and professor of organizational behavior, psychology and cognitive science. He also developed a management model for EI, and has coauthored books regarding the issue in relation to business activities.

The recent study involved discussions between health care educators about the general usage of EI, and the process for measuring the utilization of the skill in clinical practices.

Boyatzis took the time to note that many standardized admissions tests are incapable of predicting the success of professionals within the field, and it is likely partially due to not taking into account EI. “Such tests predict grades in courses but not effectiveness in professions. This is the first test of this relationship in dentistry, and one of the clearest studies of the dynamics,” he said.

About DonDDS.com

Robert Don, DDS (http://www.dondds.com) provides personalized gentle dental care. He specializes in both family and cosmetic dental needs. Learn how you and your family can gain access to professional dental services today.

Robert Don, DDS
Jamboree Dental
62 Corporate Park Suite 230
Irvine CA, 92606
(949) 222-0296
http://www.dondds.com

Contact:
Rich Martel
rich@dentistpr.org