Final answer:
A dental assistant should respond to a patient expressing concern about their recent dental treatment by actively listening and showing empathy, while also asking open-ended questions to understand the specific issues they are experiencing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dental assistant should respond to a patient expressing concern about their recent dental treatment by actively listening and showing empathy. An appropriate response would be to acknowledge the patient's concern and ask open-ended questions to understand the specific issues they are experiencing. For example, the dental assistant could say, 'I understand that you're concerned about your recent dental treatment. Can you tell me more about what's been bothering you?'
By actively listening and asking for more information, the dental assistant can show that they care about the patient's experience and are dedicated to addressing their concerns. Additionally, the dental assistant should maintain eye contact, nod, and provide non-verbal cues to show that they are fully engaged in the conversation.