Abstract

The Balint Group

Stephan Doering
The psychoanalyst Michael Balint (1896-1970) created the nowadays so called Balint group as a kind of case-related psychodynamic group supervision for general practitioners. Meanwhile, Balint groups are attended by medical doctors of all specializations and dentists all over the world.

Relational problems between a dentist and his or her patient may occur frequently. A "difficult patient" can provoke anger, frustration, or resignation in the dentist and, as a consequence, experience an impaired dentist-patient-relationship. Non-compliance and treatment failure may follow. The participation in a Balint group offers the dentist the opportunity to discuss and overcome his or her relational problems with the patient and to improve the satisfaction of both, patient and dentist.