When a smart child knows what will happen [Pediatric Dentist]

7 year old, dental extraction. Each provider is different in how truthful or specific they get with a child’s nervous questions- I think it is a balance of providing treatment safely/calmly but also not losing trust in the child by lying. They can remember!
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In this case, I replied with not a ‘yes or no’ but Luke still picked up on the possibility of a yes. Replying immediately with a yes may have been truthful but could put me in a more difficult situation of gaining his trust, which is what I tried to do before the extraction. Saying no would be a complete lie and he could remember later on in life that the dentist lied to him to get treatment done.
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I eventually explained later on why we were going to remove and he was able to rationalize with full understanding. Kids can often surprise us with how much they are able to tackle when they understand what is happening.
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In a younger age group where they might run away from the clinic if you reply yes to using a shot, one might consider strategically dancing around the question without overtly lying.
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Fortunately, Luke did very well. Strong like his father - my 7th grade bible study teacher! 🙏🥰😁

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THANKS FOR WATCHING,
DR JOHN YOO
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Beam City Dental - 🦄🦄🦄
Fort Lee, NJ
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