Throughout my life, I have concerned myself with improving the quality of life for others. From a young age, I've felt an instinctual drive andfocus forassisting others in their evolution and bringing things to their highest expression. A lifetime of personal and professional development has shaped me into the person I am today.

When I was young, Iwas really quite shy and reserved! I moved from school to school throughout my childhood, in the pursuit of the best possible education.With each new school, I had to overcome feeling self-conscious of what others might think and whether or not I 'd be accepted. As anyone who 's been the 'new kid' knows, this builds aunique understanding and appreciation for others who struggle with self-worth issues, which I 've carried with me to this day. Though shy, I was also athletic as a youth. Through sports, I learned the importance of communication and teamwork, and rooted myself inthe importance ofbuilding others up even when they are feeling down.

A college course in Psychology served as a catalyst for me for self-inquiry and I learned to improve through active learning, experience, and experimentation. Studying courses in childhood growth and development illustrated to me the importance these stages playin forming thoughts and actions that ultimately shape the direction of our lives. This was just the beginning of what would become a career dedicated to the health and well-being of children.

While in dental school, I had big plans to be a Hollywood cosmetic dentist. Yet I was struck by a consistent conversation I was having with my adult patients: they told me time and again of their horrible childhood experiences with the dentist. I was also impacted by the opportunities I had to work with children with special needs. It was so rewarding to see how providing a safe, comfortable dental experience not only benefitted these kids, but also their families. In a way, we were rebuilding the trust that the adults had lost in their dentist ages ago!

Then one fateful day, in an emergency room clinic, the patient coordinator informed me of a seven-year-old who was in pain and had been waiting all morning to be seen. He was laying on the chairs with his hand on his head looking miserable. After looking at his teeth, it was determined that he needed a root canal. In preparing, the boy discovered that he would be getting a shot and panicked. My instinct to nurture and encourage kicked in, and I was able to calm him down and assure him everything would be alright. After the procedure, the child gave me the biggest hug! In that moment, it became clear to me just how rewarding working with children could be.

To gain a different experience and to take advantage of a unique learning opportunity, I chose to do a group practice residency program in New York City. My work confirmed what I had been seeing: that many adults carried deep fears of dental work, which stemmed from experiences they had as children. From that point forward, I chose to work exclusively with children. I did so with the group practice residency program at Jacobi Medical Center (a level-one trauma center) and at the Rose Kennedy Center for special needs children and adults. I was accepted at St. Barnabas Hospital for pediatric dentistry, another level-one trauma center in the Bronx, where I was awarded for a research project on caries rate for asthmatics vs. healthy children.

Upon graduating, I sought a position in corporate dentistry, and had the opportunity to work with children from over 15 offices nationwide for over 10 years! During this formative time, I became the go-to person when extra care was required to help put families and children at ease. Not only did this experience help me to ovserve how pediatric dentsitry is performed across the country, but it opened my eyes to the types of dental issues that most consistently come up with families from all over.

When I was a kid I did not understand that all the long hours my parents worked were for me and my sister to get the best possible head start in our lives.Like many parents, theysurrounded us with so much love and support, and allowed us to think creatively and follow our passions and dreams. They encouraged a pursuit of knowledge.Because of this, Ideveloped a passion for discovery, learning, and creative thinking. If something did not make sense, we should investigate it!

This translated directly into my professional life --the kinds of questions that my patients and their familieswere askingdidn't always seem to have the most obvious answers. Questions and concerns about grinding, fears about getting cavities and having soft teeth, fears about crowded teeth and a family history of braces, extractions, and sleep apnea, just to name a few.In my continued pursuit of knowledge and answers,I discovered that there are real solutions that work! I developed Elevate Kids Dental as a means by which to investigate and educatealongsidefamilies, in pursuit of their improved quality of life.

I grew tired of watching dentistry 'happen' to kids, instead of seeing howdentistry canimpact and inspirethem.By creating an environment that stimulates creative thinking through active learning, our goal is to empower your child by placing them in the drivers seat of their own healthcare journey.This is all about helping your child develop the personal skills and effective habits to set them up for the rest of their lives. I wanted Elevate Kids Dental to be a place wheredentistry does not happen to your child, but rather is something for your child to participate in and enjoy!

I am deeply aware that young children thrive in an environment of relationships. The quality of those relationships has a huge impact on the health and learning that follows. I have set up Elevate Kids Dental in a unique way, so that you never have to feel alone on your family's healthcare journey. We are here to support you and your child at every step byproviding a healthy environment built for exploration and learning that is both safe and predictable.

We have also developed a special educational component where we really focus on the value of proper nutrition andof eating healthy during these critical years of maximum growth and development.We are all about supporting your child with the latest tools and expertise so that they can grow with curious inquisitiveness that spurns their creativity and a lifelong passion for their health and wellness.It is a lofty goal, I know! But these early years are critical in establishing the patterns that will exist for the child's lifetime -- an investment that is trulyworth the effort.

We recognize that all of our young patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your child to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice.

A cavity is the process of demineralization of a tooth -- it is a disease that creates an acid challenge.There are certain types of bacteria that can infect the mouth producing acids.We also eat and drink many acidic foods and beverasges.When the pH level in the mouth is less than 5.5, the enamel begins to break down, releasing calcium which in turn neutralizes the environment.

White spots on the enamel are the first visible signs of decay, but unfortunately if a cavity starts in between the teeth it can only be detected by an X-ray.Bacteria in the form of plaque (or biofilm) is acid-producing.Meaning, it eats sugars/carbohydrates and creates acid as a byproduct.Some biofilms are more acid-producing than others and we now have the technology to measure that for each individual.

The frequency of sugars you eat keeps these bacteria fed and producing acid, and the increase in sugary beverage consumption (soda, sports drinks, caffeinated beverages) has skyrocketed in the past few decades.In addition,our food supply has become more and more acidic.And unfortunately, the more often you eat or snack -- the worse the acid bath is for your teeth!

Fortunately we do have our own line of defense:Saliva!Saliva is generally basic (neutralizesacid).Good saliva flow causes the reminerlization of cavities by replacing the minerals back into your tooth.Unfortunately, the large majority of medications children and adults are taking these days cause a reduction in saliva flow leading to dry mouth and another opportunitiesfor the acid bath to contiue itsdestruction.

We now have sophisticated methods of assessing your child's caries risk, well before it ever eats a hole in their tooth. By measuring the acidity of the biofilm with the carifree meter, and looking at your child's own personal risk factors and disease history, we can actually predict how cavity prone they are and also which treatment options (both non-surgical) may be most appropriate.

We offer complete kits that are easy to use and contain some or all of the therapeutic ingredients personally designed for the individual needs of your child depending on their risk level. With a biofilm test, a dental history and a report of lifestyle risks including diet and medications, we will help you understand your risks and help develop a treatment regime that it tailored just for you.

When treatment is complete, your child will have an amazing, healthy smile, as well as the confidence to show it off! We want you and your child to feel comfortable and confident throughout the entire orthodontic experience, so our practice is dedicated to making sure that your child receives the quality care they deserve.

Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to the proper position.

Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. Orthodontic patients can now choose brackets that are clear or metallic, and in some cases, customize the color of the appliance. Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials are designed to move teeth faster with more comfort.

Depending on several factors, including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your childs case is, treatment time varies and can last between one and three years. Receiving interceptive, or early treatment, can also help provide a quicker treatment time later on in life. Another big factor to a successful treatment is your childs cooperation. The more involved and diligent your child is, the quicker and more efficient treatment will be.