For many children, going to the dentist can feel intimidating. For parents, that anxiety can make routine visits even more stressful. But what if a dental office felt less like a clinical setting and more like an environment children were actually excited to visit?
That was the vision behind Once Upon a Smile, a pediatric dental practice owned by Dr. Sharon Varghese. From the very beginning, Dr. Varghese wanted to create a space where children felt safe, comfortable, and genuinely excited about visiting the dentist. She knew she didn’t want a cookie-cutter pediatric office design filled with predictable graphics of cartoon teeth or overly themed elements. Instead, she wanted something imaginative and completely unique to her practice.
At Kohan Architecture, our process begins by understanding how our clients think, what they want to avoid, and how they want their space to make people feel. Through conversations with Dr. Varghese, we uncovered a vision that went beyond aesthetics. She wanted to create an experience rooted in comfort, creativity, and storytelling.
That vision ultimately inspired the name Once Upon a Smile, a playful nod to the familiar phrase “Once upon a time.”
From there, storytelling became the foundation of the design concept and was thoughtfully woven throughout the entire space.
Each area was designed to create moments of comfort and discovery for young patients. Storybook-themed treatment rooms spark imagination, while a dedicated reading nook encourages calm moments before appointments. Interactive elements like the play station help children feel more relaxed and engaged throughout their visit.
These intentional design features serve a larger purpose: helping children feel at ease in an unfamiliar environment. When children feel comfortable, parents feel more confident bringing them in for care. Beyond the playful details, the space was also designed to support operational efficiency for staff. While the patient-facing experience feels warm, creative, and engaging, the layout was carefully planned to ensure seamless day-to-day functionality for the dental team.
Pops of color, dynamic lighting, and playful design elements bring warmth and energy throughout the practice, ultimately creating an atmosphere that feels uplifting rather than intimidating.
The completed Once Upon a Smile project reflects what can happen when intentional design meets a clear vision.
The result is a pediatric dental practice that supports clinical excellence while leaving families with a lasting sense of comfort, trust, and positivity from the moment they walk through the door.