Final answer:
A dental assistant can show active listening by verbally acknowledging patient concerns, reading body language, asking open-ended questions, participating in a medical team's 'time out' before procedures, and responding to the patient's emotions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To show active listening as a dental assistant when a patient is hesitant about undergoing a dental procedure, it is important to utilize a range of empathetic communication techniques. For instance, the dental assistant can:
- Provide a verbal acknowledgment of the patient's feelings and concerns by summarizing what the patient has said and confirming understanding.
- Read body language to gain insights into the patient's level of comfort or distress, which can guide responses and reassurances.
- Encourage the patient to elaborate by asking open-ended questions and showing genuine interest in their answers.
- Before the procedure, participate in a time out with the medical team to discuss and confirm important details about the patient's care, thereby increasing the patient's confidence in the team's preparedness.
- React to the underlying emotion behind the patient's words, empathizing with their experience, and adjusting communication to alleviate their concerns.
These techniques demonstrate to the patient that the dental assistant is fully engaged and invested in their well-being, which can help ease their hesitations.