Final answer:
The best response for a dental assistant to provide empathy to a patient who is anxious about their upcoming procedure is to actively listen, validate their feelings, offer reassurance, and provide distractions.
Step-by-step explanation:
As a dental assistant, the best response to provide empathy to a patient who is anxious about their upcoming procedure is to listen actively and validate their feelings. This can be done by using statements such as 'I understand that you're feeling anxious,' or 'It's completely normal to feel nervous about this procedure.' Additionally, the dental assistant can offer reassurance by explaining the steps of the procedure and answering any questions the patient may have. Finally, providing distractions during the procedure, such as offering headphones or playing calming music, can help alleviate anxiety.