About Us
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Our mission
Welcome to a new pediatric dental experience
At Sensory Smiles Children's Dentistry, we believe every child deserves a dental home that understands their unique needs. Our mission is to create joyful, holistic, and sensory-inclusive dental care experiences for infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special needs. Through evidence-based treatments, interdisciplinary collaboration, and personalized care, we support every family on their journey toward lifelong oral health.
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Board-certified pediatric dentist
Dr. Sara El-Sherbini
Dr. Sara El-Sherbini is a board-certified pediatric dentist with a deep and personal understanding of sensory-sensitive care. Growing up in Tampa Bay, Florida, Dr. Sara experienced dental anxiety due to her own sensory sensitivity. With guidance from her aunt—a local dentist—she overcame these barriers through desensitization therapies, which ultimately inspired her to pursue a career that would help other children thrive in the dental chair with confidence and comfort.
She began her dental journey by working as a front desk receptionist and dental assistant before completing her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Florida in 2008. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) in 2013 from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Dr. Sara then completed a rigorous two-year General Practice Residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital, where she served as Chief Resident and specialized in advanced care for special needs and medically complex patients. She later earned her Master of Science in Pediatric Dentistry at Loma Linda University in 2021.
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Sara blends clinical skill with compassion, psychology, and a multidisciplinary approach to treating her patients. She developed the Sensory Smiles Program to ensure children—especially those with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, or dental anxiety—experience successful appointments with the help of customized sensory profiles, desensitization visits, and collaboration with occupational, speech and language, myofunctional and ABA therapists. Her office is also one of the only pediatric dental practices in the Inland Empire designated as Sensodyne x KultureCity™ Sensory Inclusive™ Certified.
Dr. Sara is an advocate for early intervention through her Infant & Prenatal Oral Health Program, which helps families understand the connection between nutrition, oral motor development, sleep, and airway health. With CO2 laser technology, she provides gentle frenectomies as part of collaborative care with lactation specialists and pediatric chiropractors—all in a calm, nursery-like space built for infants and parents to feel at home.In addition to newborns and children, Dr. Sara continues to serve adult patients with special needs, drawing from her extensive hospital dentistry background. She offers outpatient sedation care to ensure lifelong access for those who need it most.
Outside the dental office, Dr. Sara volunteers with the Special Olympics Special Smiles Program and enjoys traveling, cooking new recipes, swimming, running, playing basketball, and spending time with her husband, two sons, and their dogs.
Your first visit: what to expect
Expect a calm, welcoming environment designed with all senses in mind—from fiber-optic lights and comfort menus to sound-controlled quiet rooms and a sensory playroom.
We begin by reviewing your child’s customized sensory profile and therapist documentation (ABA, Speech, or OT), then proceed at your child’s pace using desensitization techniques, play-based care, and positive reinforcement. We encourage your child’s ABA therapist to attend so learned skills can be reinforced at home. Please review our Social Story introduction (PDF and video) with your child several times before your visit, as familiarity helps reduce anxiety.
The Experience
Expect a calm, welcoming environment designed with all senses in mind—from fiber optic lights and comfort menus to sound-controlled quiet rooms and sensory toys. We start by reviewing your child’s customized sensory profile and then move at your child's pace, incorporating desensitization techniques, play-based care, and positive reinforcement.
What to Bring
For a smooth first visit, be sure to bring:
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Designed for comfort, built for better care
We’ve carefully designed our space and invested in advanced technology to create an environment that supports whole-body wellness, personalized dental experiences, and inclusive access to care.
Sensory smile program
Our Sensory Smiles Program offers a fully integrated approach to care, combining in-office sensory desensitization with coordination across therapies—including lactation, pediatric chiropractor, therapist, myofunctional, occupational, speech, and ABA. Every treatment plan is thoughtfully tailored to support your child’s comfort, development, and success.
CO2 Laser Technology
Our LightScalpel CO2 laser offers gentle, precise treatment for infant frenectomies (tongue and lip tie removals) and soft tissue adjustments. It significantly reduces discomfort, bleeding, and healing time—especially important for babies and sensory-sensitive children.
sedation options
We offer a full range of sedation options to ensure a calm, stress-free experience for every child—including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, and general anesthesia. Each option is safely tailored to your child’s needs, age, and comfort level.
Sensory Quiet Room
This calming space is available before and after appointments for kids who need time to regulate. With low lighting, projection visuals, weighted blankets, and sensory toys, it’s ideal for building trust before a dental exam or treatment begins.
TVs on Ceilings and Headphones
Each operatory features ceiling-mounted TVs where patients can pick their favorite show to watch during their appointment. Noise-canceling headphones are available to help children tune out from surrounding stimuli and focus on comfort.
Digital X-rays
We use low-radiation digital X-rays for quick, safe, and efficient imaging. This allows us to detect issues early while keeping children as comfortable and safe as possible during diagnostics.
Sensory Comfort Menu
Our pre-visit sensory comfort survey allows families to customize their child’s dental experience with preferred lighting, flavors and flavor-free, grit-less toothpaste, sound levels, and more. It’s one of the ways we ensure each child’s visit feels just right for them.
Nursery-Style Exam Room
Designed especially for infants, our cozy nursery room provides a quiet space where babies can play, crawl, or be cradled during their first exams. This special setting is ideal for evaluating feeding and oral development with a holistic approach.
Holistic Materials
We offer BPA-free, fluoride-free, and nano-hydroxyapatite options for personalized cavity prevention. For parents seeking toxin-conscious alternatives, we tailor dental plans based on oral and systemic health needs.
Ice Cream & Popsicle Freezer
After their treatment, children can enjoy a sweet (but tooth-friendly) treat from our ice cream and popsicle freezer—a fun way to celebrate their bravery and reinforce positive associations with dental care.
Myofunctional & Lactation Collaboration
We partner closely with lactation consultants, pediatric chiropractors, ENT and sleep medicine physicians, speech and language pathologists and myofunctional therapists to support airway health, early feeding, and speech development. This team-based model ensures your child receives connected care that supports their growth.
Phase 1 Orthodontics
Our early interceptive orthodontic options focus on airway and structural development first. Through removable palatal expanders and oral appliances, we guide growth in a minimally invasive, child-friendly way.
Desensitization Appointments
Through our Sensory Smiles Program, children can schedule office visits that are solely focused on exploration and play. These visits allow patients to meet the team, get used to tools, and build up confidence before formal exams ever begin.
Laminated Social Stories and Pre-Visit Videos
Part of our sensory-inclusive approach includes visual walkthroughs and social stories that help children know exactly what to expect. Videos and guides are shared with families ahead of time so everyone can come into their appointment prepared and comfortable.
Weighted Sensory Bags
Patients with sensory needs receive comfort kits including fidget toys, weighted lap pads, blankets, stuffed animals, chew tools, noise-reducing headphones, or other useful items during their visit—at no extra cost.
Creating smiles beyond the dental chair
We believe in giving back—and breaking down access barriers for underserved and special needs populations across the Inland Empire. By investing in community outreach, we help families discover they are not alone in their oral health journey.
As a Clinical Director with the Special Olympics Special Smiles initiative, Dr. Sara provides free on-site screenings for athletes with special needs and offers follow-up care in-office when needed. Our participation in Give Kids A Smile brings complimentary dental care to underserved children every year. We also host an annual Adult Special Needs Day offering free exams and cleanings for adults in need of accessible dental care. Through these partnerships and programs, we’re building a healthier, more inclusive future—one smile at a time.
Schedule a visit today
Whether you're preparing for baby’s first checkup or looking for ongoing care in a safe and inclusive environment, we're here to welcome you. Let’s create beautiful, confident smiles together—one sensory-friendly step at a time.