The goal of offering desensitization visits is to reduce the dental anxiety and distress of patients and enhance their cooperation during future appointments. The specifics of the desensitization are individualized to meet the unique needs of each patient based on information provided by the parent/caregiver. A standard desensitization visit involves providing the patient the opportunity to sit in the exam chair; touch the toothbrush and rubber prophy cup, mouth mirror, fluoride applicator brush, air-water syringe tip and saliva ejector tip; gain exposure to the dental lights and sounds commonly experienced in the dental visit; practice opening their mouth; and tolerate toothbrush and rubber prophy cup, mirror, explorer, fluoride applicator brush, air-water syringe, and salvia ejector in the mouth. If the child is unable or unwilling to participate, these activities are modeled on the parent or by the CCLS.

The FBRS is widely used in pediatric dentistry to evaluate patient behavior. FBRS consists of four behavior categories ranging from "definitely positive" to "definitely negative," with higher scores indicating more cooperation. The rating is assigned by the treating pediatric provider and recorded in the patient's medical record at the end of the visit. Participants achieve a scored on a scale ranging from 1 (definitely negative) to 4 (definitely positive).

Parents/caregivers will be asked to fill out a questionnaire before and after the desensitization visit and after the subsequent hygiene appointment. Questions will relate to previous dental experience, previous visit Sensory Tolerance Checklist and the parent's perception of visit success.