A child afraid of an examination

Setting: Family dental clinic

Eight-year-old Leo attends with his father, Sam. The appointment is a routine check after an incomplete examination three months ago; there is no reported pain or swelling.

Task

Explore the previous frightening visit.
Explain the non-urgent nature of today’s examination.
Negotiate explain-show-attempt and a child-controlled pause signal.
Discuss another familiarisation visit if the examination cannot be completed.

A child afraid of an examination consultation plan

The examination is non-urgent and there is no current pain or swelling.
The offered approach is explain, show, then attempt a short examination with the child’s agreement.
The child can use an agreed hand signal to pause.
If the examination cannot be completed, a further familiarisation visit can be arranged.
Eight-year-old Leo attends with his father, Sam. The appointment is a routine check after an incomplete examination three months ago; there is no reported pain or swelling.

Fictional scenario information supplied for this examination exercise; not medical guidance for real patients.