HESI General Chairside Assisting Practice Exam

At which age of development would a child patient be able to sit quietly for dental treatment?

1. Infancy

2. Early childhood

3. Play

4. Toddlerhood

The correct answer is: Play

A child patient is typically able to sit quietly for dental treatment during the play age, which generally spans from about 3 to 6 years old. At this stage, children begin to develop better attention spans and an understanding of instructions, allowing them to engage more calmly in activities that require sitting still, such as a dental appointment. During this period, children start to exhibit more independence and curiosity about their surroundings, which can make them more cooperative during dental procedures as they are often more familiar with the dental environment, especially if they have previous positive experiences. It is also during this age that imaginative play often leads to a level of comfort with the tools and environment of a dental office. In contrast, during infancy and toddlerhood, children are typically more restless and may struggle to understand the need for stillness during treatments. Early childhood is still transitional, as some children may not yet fully grasp the process or may be more apprehensive about dental visits.