Building Comfort and Confidence at the Dentist

Ready, Set, Smile! is an online dentist desensitization program designed to help families and children build confidence, comfort, and familiarity with common dental experiences through gentle, role-play exposure and supportive guidance.

Led by Spark care professionals, this 7-week virtual training program offers a safe and welcoming environment where children, with family participation, can explore and practice each step of a dental visit in ways that reduce fear and increase tolerance over time.

This inclusive program is for families and their children, primarily ages 4-12+, including those with limited or no verbal communication and those who may experience heightened anxiety during unfamiliar routines. The goal is to create positive first experiences for dental visits, preventing future trauma, and to help rebuild confidence after a challenging visit.

Children will take part in a mix of
fun, sensory-friendly activities such as:

ABA Ready, Set, Smile! program, practicing sitting in a dental chair

Practicing sitting in a dental chair

ABA Ready, Set, Smile! program, Exploring and touching common dental tools

Exploring and touching common dental tools

ABA Ready, Set, Smile! program, engaging in role-play with caregivers and peers

Engaging in role-play with caregivers and peers

ABA Ready, Set, Smile! program, desensitization and hands-on learning with a mirror and dental tools

Desensitization and hands-on learning

ABA Ready, Set, Smile! program, personalized coaching and in-home practice sessions

Personalized coaching and in-home practice sessions

ABA Ready, Set, Smile! program, tailored dental experience to each child's pace and needs

And more, tailored to each child’s pace and needs

Program Benefits

Throughout the program, participants will build key skills and experience a wide range of benefits:

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Gentle Exposure
Helping children become more comfortable with dental environments through playful, step-by-step interaction with real dental tools and routines
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Confidence Building
Empowering children to participate in dental care with greater trust, comfort, and autonomy, supporting successful checkups and cleanings without distress
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Anxiety Reduction
Supporting children in managing fear through positive reinforcement, repetition, and simple coping strategies like asking for breaks or taking deep breaths
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Skill Development
Practicing everyday readiness for dental visits, from opening their mouth to tolerating gloved hands, mirrors, and the reclining chair during short exams
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Family Support
Offering coaching and communication strategies to parents for continuing success at home, with fewer struggles during daily brushing and oral hygiene routines
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Improved Future Visits
Laying the foundation for safer, lower-stress dental appointments that reduce the need for sedation or physical restraint over time

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Interested in the Program?

If this program sounds like it is right for you or a loved one, be the first to know when a new session is available by signing up for our interest list.