From Tension to Trust: The Science of Connection in Healthcare (with Dr. Richard Akin)

Patient fear and tension are part of everyday clinical care, and the way a clinician responds can shape a patient’s entire experience. In this episode of the Everyday Oral Surgery podcast, host Dr. Grant Stucki welcomes return guest Dr. Richard Akin, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon practicing in Louisiana, for a thoughtful exploration of how trust is built in healthcare settings. Drawing on insights from behavioral psychology and years of clinical experience, Dr. Akin shares how humor, curiosity, and genuine presence can help reduce anxiety and build trust with patients. The conversation examines how small moments, from active listening and inviting patients to share their hobbies to creating a welcoming office environment, can make a meaningful difference in high-stress situations. Dr. Akin also reflects on navigating difficult encounters, ways to support your staff in challenging situations, and sustaining a sense of joy and connection amid the daily demands of running a practice. Listen in for a human-centered discussion on why connection matters in healthcare and how thoughtful responses can transform tense moments into trusting relationships!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Akin’s early interest in behavioral psychology: what it taught him about human behavior.
• Lessons about connection learned while working in the service industry before dental school.
• Reflections on how patient fear and tension can show up in everyday clinical encounters.
• How humor can reduce anxiety and help build trust more quickly with patients.
• Recognizing shame when patients delay care and responding without judgment.
• Trust and empathy as prerequisites for effective treatment conversations.
• How office culture, staff interactions, and environment influence patient comfort.
• Trust built by referring dentists: how they jump-start the patient relationship before their visit.
• Using hobbies and personal details to open meaningful conversations.
• Starting gently with touch to help patients feel safe before invasive care.
• Active listening and being present as essential tools for building trust and creating ease.
• Responding to negativity with curiosity and humor to de-escalate tense encounters.
• Reframing difficult or angry patients as fearful rather than hostile.
• Using gratitude and human connection to sustain joy in long-term practice.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Richard Akin — https://www.drakin.com/
Dr. Richard Akin on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-akin-644aa932/

Dr. Richard Akin email — [e-mail]

Everyday Oral Surgery Website — https://www.everydayoralsurgery.com/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/everydayoralsurgery/

Everyday Oral Surgery on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/EverydayOralSurgery/

Dr. Grant Stucki Email — [e-mail]

Dr. Grant Stucki Phone — 720-441-6059