Emotional intelligence (EI) is vital in dental education, influencing student learning, performance and well-being. Clinical instructors' EI significantly affects teaching effectiveness and student experiences. Faculty development programs should assess and enhance EI among instructors, acknowledging its role in clinical teaching. Key components include EI assessment tools, training programs, creating a supportive environment, promoting social interaction and continuous feedback. Integrating EI fosters a positive emotional climate, enriches student learning and improves patient care outcomes. This holistic approach ensures that dental education not only enhances academic skills but also cultivates empathy and effective interpersonal relationships in clinical settings.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the concepts associated with emotional intelligence.
Analyze the link between emotional intelligence and teaching effectiveness.
Promote strategies to enhance emotional intelligence in educators at their own institution.
