KidzSmile Dental Centre is officially designated as a Certified Autism Center™ (CAC), granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). This recognition is awarded to organizations that have completed specialized autism-specific training and certification to better serve and accommodate autistic and sensory-sensitive individuals.
“At KidzSmile Dental Centre, our commitment has always been to provide compassionate, inclusive, and high-quality care for every child. Becoming a Certified Autism Center™ is an important step in ensuring that children of all abilities feel supported and safe in our environment,” says Dr. Yousef AlShehab, general manager of KidzSmile Dental Centre.
As part of the certification process, KidzSmile staff completed in-depth training on autism awareness, communication techniques, and evidence-based best practices to improve the patient experience for children with autism and other sensory needs.
KidzSmile has also implemented specialized accommodations to make dental visits more comfortable, including noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, a dedicated low-sensory waiting area, and flexible appointment scheduling to minimize stress. The team is trained to use visual aids, clear communication, and gentle desensitization techniques to ensure a smoother and more supportive experience for families.
“IBCCES is honored to recognize KidzSmile Dental Centre for its dedication to inclusion and for raising the standard of pediatric dental care in Kuwait,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES CEO and board chairman. “This achievement demonstrates their vision to provide not only world-class dental care, but also an environment where every child feels safe, respected, and valued.”
To further support inclusivity efforts, KidzSmile Dental Centre is featured on the IBCCES Accessibility App™, which is free to download. This app provides individuals with a variety of disabilities real-time guidance on certified destinations, sensory-friendly spaces, and tailored recommendations. By connecting users to accessible locations worldwide, the app helps ensure seamless, enjoyable experiences for everyone.
IBCCES also provides access to resources such as AccessibiltyCertified.com and AutismTravel.com, free online tools for families that list certified locations and professionals. Each organization listed on the site has met IBCCES certification requirements.
About KidzSmile Dental Centre
KidzSmile Dental Centre is a specialised paediatric dental facility in Kuwait dedicated to creating a safe, welcoming, and child-friendly environment. With a team of highly trained paediatric dentists, nurses, and support staff, our mission is to make every dental visit a positive experience. By combining advanced dental care with a focus on comfort and compassion, we aim to support children’s oral health while easing anxiety for both children and their families.
Special Programs/Services for Autistic or Sensory-Sensitive Individuals:
At KidzSmile Dental Centre, we provide tailored support for children with autism and sensory sensitivities. Our services include: noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, a dedicated low-sensory waiting area, and flexible appointment scheduling to reduce stress. Our team is trained to provide clear communication, visual aids, and gentle desensitisation techniques to make each visit smoother and more comfortable for both the child and their family.
About IBCCES
Delivering the global standard for training and certification in the fields of autism, neurodiversity, and accessibility – IBCCES provides a series of certification programs that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. For over two decades, IBCCES has been a global leader, setting the industry standard in autism and cognitive differences training. IBCCES works in over 111 countries and provides training in 8 languages, and its programs have been recognized around the world as the leading benchmark in training and certification.
In addition to individual certification programs, IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) and Autism Certified City™ (ACC), ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive residents and visitors feel welcomed and safe. Destinations that achieve the CAD designation have completed a specialized program that ensures a multitude of recreation, hospitality and entertainment organizations have completed an autism and sensory-sensitivity training, certification and IBCCES facilities review process. The ACC designation expands on that program and includes IBCCES training and certification for the public safety, education, healthcare and workplace sectors.
IBCCES also created the Accessibility App, AutismTravel.com, and AccessibilityCertified.com – free resources for individuals with a variety of neurodiversities and disabilities, listing certified locations and connecting individuals to other resources and each other.
