Jack started attending Crossroads School in 2003, when he was just 5 years old. He has reached many milestones during his 16 years at Crossroads, but his mother views his recent trips to the dentist office as his biggest accomplishments. Crossroads School’s Medical Desensitization Program helped Jack develop patience and prepare for all aspects of the dental appointment. Jack and his fellow students are seeing positive results from these simulations.

“Historically, dentist appointments have been challenging for Jack,” Jack’s mother, Deb shared. “Prior to this visit, Jack had been visiting the simulated Dentist Office at Crossroads, allowing him to prepare for the dentist appointment in a controlled environment, with familiar staff. At the appointment I had to fight back tears for all the right reasons. I could not believe what I was seeing – at 20 years old, Jack had his first successful dentist visit! The hygienist and the dentist were incredible and patient, but Jack’s success wouldn’t have been possible without his team at Crossroads.”

Jack recently returned to the dentist for another appointment, and his mom said he did even better than the first time. “The hygienist was able to really get in there and clean his teeth for an extended period of time and Jack relaxed in the chair! Soon after, he had a check-up at the doctor and he was great through all of the exams that had been practiced in the desensitization program!”

Crossroads School is a private, non-profit day school in Marlborough, MA that serves students ages 3-22 in a bright school environment 226 days a year. The school promotes educational and behavioral development and offers vocational, related, and home-based services. Crossroads has been a Bike to the Beach partner since 2015 and helped expand participation in the New England Ride.