Sentry Page Protection

Role Play Scenario 3


A 10 year old girl, Freya, is having a routine appointment at your dental practice. Upon examination, you realise that Freya will need serious and invasive treatment. You inform her mother, Miranda. Freya overhears and asks you what she needs the treatment for, before you have a chance to discuss it any detail with her mother.
In this role play, speak to Freya and her mother.
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Excellent Student Approach
1.         Introduction
2.         Open Questions
3.         Develop Rapport
4.         Address the issues known
5.         Identify any additional issues
6.         Summary and plan going forward

1, 2 -  Acknowledge Freya’s question. Use an informal open question, like, ‘So, what did you hear me saying there Freya?’
3 - Ensure that you seem lighthearted and friendly. The simplest way to do this will be to aim your vocabulary at someone of her age, and clarify that you’re on her side throughout.
4 - The difficulty here is in balancing the need to be kind with the child with the need to respect the parent’s wishes as to how much they should be told about the treatment. Try to involve both of them, by pointing out, ‘we need to make sure that your mother understands what I’m talking about here, and that she can tell you first if she wants to.’ Ask Miranda if she would like to speak to you alone, or if she would like Freya present throughout. Make sure to gauge how much Freya has understood of what she has overheard.
5 - Miranda is likely to have a preference as to when and how her child should be told about the treatment; this preference is likely to be the best way of telling them. After all, she knows her child best. Make sure she is aware that if Freya does not have the ability to understand the treatment procedure, it is best she is not told in detail yet.
6 - To move forward, check both their understanding, then ensure you are able to tell Miranda more in private - and acknowledge Freya’s questions as far as her mother thinks is appropriate.