Marginalized patients including those with limited English proficiency (LEP) are at risk of seeing graver health outcomes across many specialties. Communication barriers contribute to impaired shared-decision making and missed education opportunities. Tools are available to clinicians to allow for more accurate and effective education and to facilitate shared decision-making. This article reviews existing guidelines for utilization of professional interpreters. A framework is provided for pre-visit planning, facilitating appropriate introductions, and setting up a clinic room to optimize workflow. Suggestions are provided for utilizing professional interpreters efficiently and prioritizing patient autonomy, respect, and mutual understanding. Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons and providers can promote health equity by utilizing professional interpreters and using other strategies to communicate effectively with patients and families from diverse backgrounds and/or those who have LEP. •Pediatric orthopaedic surgeons can take a leading role in exemplifying the delivery of equitable care, investing in appropriate educational resources in a wider variety of languages and connecting with community resources to improve access for underrepresented communities.•The use of non-professional interpreters such as relatives, friends, children, or bilingual staff is a breach of the duty of care owed to the patient with potential legal ramifications.•Professional interpreters work under established standards of practice and ethical guidelines to guide interactions with clear priorities of maintaining accuracy, confidentiality, impartiality, and respect.•Avoid the temptation to look at the interpreter during a clinic visit rather than the patient or caregiver-remember that they are sharing your words with the patient.•Language access alone will not erase existing health disparities, but it is a critical step toward optimizing patient outcomes.