Objective: The purpose of this study was to observe and describe fourth year dental students' patient communication during restorative appointments. Methods: Fourth year dental students were randomly selected that included students that completed treatment planning and history taking and were doing a restorative procedure. In this study 31 desirable behaviours observations were used. These behaviours are specific to: Part A: first few minutes of appointment, Part B: during treatment, Part C: last few minutes of appointment. Results: 15 students were observed over 20 hours of which 13% were 2 hour and the rest 4 hour appointments. Part A: 93% of the students' cubicles were set-up and disinfected, 27% explained the day's treatment rather than naming it. Only 7% asked their patients if there are any questions before they began treatment and 73% did not introduce the patient to the supervisor. Part B: none of the students explained or demonstrated the equipment that they used, 20% forewarned the patient about uncomfortable procedures. 73% of the students took leave of the patient without an explanation, none of them informed the patients that they needed to call the supervisor and explained what they did. 23% recognized or addressed signs of patient discomfort. Part C: none of the students answered or talked on their cellular telephone during treatment however the majority of them talked to colleagues during treatment. 27% of the students thanked the patients for their time and cooperation, 13% escorted their patients to the reception. Limitation of this study: observations were in the clinical area therefore some student – patient communication could have been missed at the reception area. Conclusion: More than half did not comply with the desirable behaviours therefore confirmed the authors' opinion that a need for training exists for students –patient communication.