Dentist Social Story — Free Template
Dental visits are one of the most challenging situations for children with autism because of the combination of sensory elements: bright lights, unfamiliar sounds, physical contact, and the mouth being involved. This template addresses each element directly.
The Story
Page 1
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 1 — introduce the dental office and why we go there]
Page 2
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 2 — describe the waiting room]
Page 3
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 3 — describe the dental chair and the light above it]
Page 4
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 4 — introduce the hygienist and what they do first]
Page 5
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 5 — describe the cleaning tools and the sounds they make]
Page 6
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 6 — perspective sentence about the hygienist and why the sounds happen]
Page 7
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 7 — what child can do if something is uncomfortable]
Page 8
[PENDING_CLINICAL: Story page 8 — positive closing and the end of the appointment]
Clinical Notes
Why this story works — by the StoryRetriever clinical team
[PENDING_CLINICAL: 2-3 paragraphs from clinical team on sensory considerations specific to dental visits, how to sequence the story for children with high oral sensitivity, and notes on coordinating with the dental office for a pre-visit walkthrough]
How to Use This Template
Begin reading this template at least a week before the scheduled appointment.
Call the dental office and ask if you can visit in advance to take photos of the actual chair and room.
Use the hygienist's real name in the story if your child already knows them.
Bring the story on your phone so your child can review it in the waiting room.
Personalize This Story in StoryRetriever
Add your child's name, photos from the real environment, and audio recording. Share it with your SLP or family in one tap. Works on any device — iPad, Android, Chromebook, or browser.
Free plan includes 3 stories. No credit card required.