2015, issue 2

The difficult patient

Leo Briggs deputy head of the DDU
ByLeo Briggs
Published07 September 2015
It's never pleasant to deal with a patient whose demeanour or behaviour is challenging. Leo Briggs offers advice on defusing potential confrontation.

With the best will in the world it is not possible to guarantee a 100% success rate for every patient.

Photo credit: Getty

This page was correct at publication on 07/09/2015. Any guidance is intended as general guidance for members only. If you are a member and need specific advice relating to your own circumstances, please contact one of our advisers.

Leo Briggs
Deputy head of the DDU

Leo Briggs qualified from University College Hospital, London, in 1989. He has worked extensively in the community dental service including a brief period overseas. He has also worked in general dental practice. Leo gained a masters degree in periodontology from the Eastman in 1995 and is on the GDC specialist register for periodontics. From 1995-2017 he provided specialist periodontal treatment in both the salaried dental services and private practice. He started working for the DDU in 2005. Between 2007 and 2009 he worked part time at the DDU and part time as a clinical tutor at the School for Professionals Complementary to Dentistry in Portsmouth. In 2009 Leo went full time with the DDU. In January 2016 he became deputy head of the DDU.

The difficult patient