Validate

Respond to the patient’s feelings and take time to acknowledge that disclosure is scary. Assure the patient that they are doing the right thing in telling you and acknowledge their courage to disclose such personal information. Take anything the patient reports seriously and assure patients of confidentiality to the extent allowed under the state’s mandatory reporting laws.

It is also important to remember that dental professionals without counseling credentials must avoid offering advice or telling the patient what to do. There are many strategies that you can practice in role-playing activities to become comfortable validating patient reports.

• Common responses could be:

  • “I am sorry you have been hurt.”

  • “I am concerned about you and your safety.”

  • “Thank you for sharing this with me. I am sorry this is happening. What you are telling me makes me worried about not only your health, but also your safety.”

  • “There are resources out there that can help you and I would be happy to connect you to those at any time.”