The Brain Behind the Smile

Anxiety-Reducing, Trust-Building Strategies Rooted in Neurosensitive Care for Every Patient

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Course Description

Dental anxiety is one of the biggest barriers to care—especially for neurodiverse and neurosensitive patients or those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But what if your team could calm patients’ fears and build trust before the treatment conversation even starts?

In this compelling course, Dr. Jacob Dent shares how small changes rooted in neuroscience can make a big impact—from identifying anxiety triggers to transforming the way your team communicates, presents treatment, and supports every patient.

With more than two decades of experience treating patients of all abilities, Dr. Dent offers actionable, team-friendly strategies to reduce stress in the chair, boost confidence in care decisions, and improve outcomes for your patients and your practice.

Learning Topics

Recognize how sensory and cognitive differences influence patient behavior, perception, and treatment acceptance, and adapt clinical approaches accordingly.
Incorporate targeted medical history questions to identify hidden anxieties and personalize care from the first visit.
Apply simple neuroscience-based techniques to help patients feel safe, regulated, and receptive to treatment.
Train all team members to identify signs of patient distress and respond with empathy and effectiveness.
Implement a neuro-informed approach to build patient trust, improve health outcomes, and increase treatment acceptance.

Course Details

Course Fee: Free
Credits: Catapult Education designates this activity for 1 credit continuing education credit.
Method: Self-Instructional
Audience: Dentists, All Staff
AGD Subject Code: 750

Meet the Instructor

Dr. Jacob Dent is a nationally recognized general dentist, speaker, and advocate for inclusive care. In practice for over 22 years and a multi-practice owner, he has built his career serving patients of all ages and abilities—including those with autism and other developmental disabilities—using innovative desensitization and communication strategies.

He serves as Clinical Director for Special Olympics Special Smiles, is a Clinical Assistant Professor at UTHealth School of Dentistry in Houston, and is a Fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International. Dr. Dent is also the proud father of a son with autism and brings both professional and personal experience to every presentation.

Catapult Education, LLC is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

Approved PACE Program Provider. FAGD/MAGD Credit. Approval does not imply acceptance by a state or provincial board of dentistry or AGD endorsement. 6/1/24 to 5/31/28. Provider ID 306446.

By signing up for a free webinar, you authorize Catapult Education, its partners and the webinar sponsor, permission to contact you for future continuing education opportunities, e-learning announcements and product offers. Participants should always check with their state licensing board to determine which, if any, certification or licensing is required to perform specific procedures in their jurisdiction. The opinions expressed on this website come from a variety of writers and speakers that are not necessarily endorsed by Catapult Education or its associates. Viewers are responsible for verifying the validity, accuracy and relevance of all content before implementing any techniques, products or recommendations into their clinical setting. Viewers understand that Catapult Education its associates, writers, speakers, and sponsored affiliates are not in any way responsible or liable for any adverse events that may occur (i.e., in a clinical setting or anywhere) based on any information disseminated from Catapult Education sites.

Catapult Education received financial support from Pearl for this presentation. Dr. Jacob Dent received compensation from Pearl for the time involved in preparing and delivering this presentation. Catapult Education delivers clinically relevant continuing dental education programs which address the needs and preferences of our audience and provides them with the knowledge and confidence to integrate new techniques, practice management and treatment options into their respective practices. Catapult Education is committed to ensuring the content quality, objectivity and scientific integrity of all continuing education courses. Instructors are advised to support clinical recommendations with scientific research-supported data whenever possible and to disclose any conflict of interest between them and any corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this CE activity. Instructors are advised, where appropriate and if relevant to the subject matter of the presentation, to mention a variety of different product choices so as to present a balanced view of all therapeutic options available and promote improvements in oral healthcare free from commercial bias.

1615 NW 4th Ave, Delray Beach, FL 33444 | United States

The Brain Behind the Smile

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Dentists, All Staff

October 9, 2025

October 9, 2028

1 CE Credit

Free

Self-Instructional

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About the Course