Makaton For... Dentistry

Helping you create calm, confident, and inclusive dental visits

Two female dentistry professionals talk to a male patient

Would you like to enhance accessibility within your dental practice?

Do you want to make your patients feel at ease quickly and effectively?

Would you like to enable your patients to make informed decisions about their dental treatment?

This 3-hour interactive workshop is designed for dental teams who want to improve communication with patients who may have learning or communication difficulties. Makaton helps you prepare patients for what to expect, reduce fear, and support meaningful interaction, from waiting room to treatment room.

Why this workshop matters

  • Reduce fear and anxiety around dental care
  • Help patients understand what is happening and what to expect next
  • Make visits calmer, smoother and more predictable
  • Build trust with patients and carers through inclusive communication

What will you learn?

This workshop gives you the confidence and tools to:

  • Use Makaton signs and symbols alongside speech to improve understanding
  • Make dental visits more accessible and less overwhelming
  • Support clear communication when a patient is distressed or unable to speak
  • Reduce patient anxiety by improving predictability and reassurance
  • Strengthen patient-practitioner relationships through inclusive practice

Workshop content

The session covers:

  • What Makaton is and how it can support communication in dental settings
  • Visual strategies to support preparation, treatment and recovery
  • Key signs and symbols to support common scenarios, including:
    • “Open your mouth. I need to look at your teeth”
    • “I will put cream on your gum before I inject it”
    • “You need to brush your teeth.”
    • “The dentist’s suction tool is noisy”
    • “Your mouth will feel different after a filling”
  • Reducing anxiety by building understanding
  • Supporting carers and families in using Makaton consistently
  • Real-life examples from dental teams
  • Practical exercises with support from your Tutor/Trainer

Who is this for?

This workshop is ideal for anyone involved in dental care, including:

  • Dentists and dental nurses
  • Reception teams and practice managers
  • Community dental teams
  • Oral health promotion teams
  • Special care dentistry professionals

No previous experience with Makaton is needed.

How it works

  • 3-hour interactive session
  • Available online or face-to-face
  •  Delivered by a licensed Makaton Tutor/Trainer
  •  Includes official Makaton resources and certificate of attendance

What does it cost?

Delivered face-to-face

Up to 8 learners = £1,000
Additional learners (up to 15) = £125 per person

Delivered online

Up to 8 learners = £848
Additional learners (up to 11) = £106 per person

Why choose Makaton For... Dentistry?

This training is designed for real-world dentistry, giving you practical tools you can use before, during and after appointments. It helps you reduce stress, build trust, and support better experiences for your patients.

“I now feel confident using Makaton signs and symbols to help patients stay calm and understand what’s going on. It's made such a difference in our clinic.” Workshop participant

Ready to make your dental practice more inclusive?

Every sign and symbol makes a difference

Join the growing community of dental professionals using Makaton to create welcoming and accessible care for all.