I have been blessed to fulfill both of my childhood dreams: I became a mother, my greatest joy, and I work with children every single day. I like to think that my motherly manner and loving heart help to bring joy to my patients. I treat each child as I would my own: with respect, care, and love. For me, the foundation of my profession is the emotional well-being of the child.

Being a parent has taught me that what you should be doing, and real life, what you are actually able to do with children, are sometimes two completely separate things. As such, I believe in providing useful, but more importantly practical, advice and recommendations for your family.

I hold an immense amount of pride and honor in being a pediatric dental specialist and would not change any part of the path that I walked over the past decades. I wanted to be the doctor that my patients could count on, who would give them her honest best, and who would develop the relationship and trust that my patients and their parents have come to respect and appreciate.

I enjoy the opportunity to foster and develop a relationship with a patient and their family that progresses and grows through time, building a strong relationship between child, parent, and dentist. Because every child is unique, a childs dental care should be tailored to his or her personality. I enjoy the challenge of finding that individualized approach in order to establish the trust necessary for successful dental treatment.

A childs oral health is an important part of his or heroverall health. A pediatric dentist is a doctor of dentistry who has additional special training following dental school, and limits his or her practice exclusively to the treatment of children, including those with special healthcareneeds. Dr. Laurawas specially trained over several years to work specifically with children. Dr. Laura knew that working with children reinforced her strengths and talents, and the pediatric dental specialty was the right path for her.

Dr. Laura was born and raised in Argentina, where she received her first Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1999. After practicing in Argentina for a fewyears, she moved toAtlanta, GA, where she worked and studied very hard to get accepted to dental school in the US. Dr. Laura was accepted toUCLAs School of Dentistry in Los Angeles(among more than 2,000 applicants), where she graduated and obtained her second DDS degree in 2009.

After dental school, Dr. Laura completed a general practice residency at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, in Downey, CA. During this residency program,she worked solely withpatients with physical and developmental disabilities, and chronic medical conditions with disabilities. Shecompleted thisresidency programin 2010. This was a very rewarding experience for Dr. Laura, which inspired herto follow her heart andapply to a pediatric dentistry program in order to become a pediatric dentist. In order to achieve this, Dr. Laura moved across the country to New York City, where in 2012 she completed her special training in pediatric dentistry at Staten Island University Hospital.

An active member of several local and national professional organizations, Dr. Laura also studies journals and attends annual meetings, online courses, and lectures that keep her updated about the latest advances in pediatric dentistry, materials, equipment, technology, and patient safety concerns. It is important for her to stay current with the newest research and treatment options in dentistry, as she strives to incorporate the latest recommendations in every dental visit.

She is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and has certifications in Invisalign Solea laser dentistry, and EZ Pedo white zirconia crowns. Dr. Laura and her staff also follow the American Academy ofPediatric Dentistry (AAPD) guidelines, which are based on research and proven, successful treatments.

Dr. Laura and her husband Dr. Garcia, a local oral surgeon, moved from NYC to the North Country in 2013. They soon learned to love the area despite the snow and cold because of the wonderful people and relaxed lifestyle. Their threechildren, Olivia,Lucas, and Victoria were born in the North Country area. They are also getting ready to welcome an Australian shepherd puppy into the family!

The family loves to spend time together, and trydifferent types of foods and attendfamily events in the area. They look forward to learning how to ski and taking advantage of all the outdoor activities that the North Country has to offer. In the summer, you can usually find them at the farmers market, the Flower Memorial Library, the Salmon Run Mall, or Thompson Park, and attending all the area festivals.

We recognize that all our 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 family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice.

I oversee all the administrative duties in our office, creating, establishing, and managing internal office procedures and protocols to ensure office efficiency. I began my career in 2014 as a receptionist in a general dental practice and, through training and experience, advanced to office management. Now at Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry since 2016, Ive loved making sure our patients and parents feel comfortable and welcome during their visits. Dr. Laura and our staff are very attentive and compassionate; were here to help and want to make sure everyone is happy and smiling. We want patients to look forward to coming to see us.

When I go home in the evening, I enjoy spending time with my husband Billy and our son Eliott. In the summer, we like to go out on the boat and have cookouts with family and friends. In the winter, we enjoy snowshoeing and ice fishing, as well as other winter activities. Family is the most important thing to me!

I love making sure our patients are smiling throughout their visits. Its truly a joy to ease their fears and help them learn that coming to see us is a fun experience! Their smiles and hugs at the end of a cleaning make my day. I help keep smiles healthy and sparkling and love doing so. A lot of my time with a patient is spent teaching them and their parents about good home oral hygiene. I also teach about healthy eating and establishing habits for a lifetime of great smiles!

I was born and raised in Watertown. Now my life is shared with my boyfriend Nick and our dog, Tucker. Tucker loves playing and keeping me entertained. I enjoy going four-wheeling and love reading a good book.

I began my career in dentistry in 2003 when I began working for an insurance company called United Concordia. From there, I went to work in several dental offices until I came to work for Dr. Ybarra! She and Dr. Hafidh are so very passionate about the work they do, and how they really make a difference in the lives of so many children. I am responsible for all aspects of insurance and the financial responsibility for the patients, and hope to make finances a little easier and a lot less scary for the parents.

I joined Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry in 2016 and brought several years of experience with me. Ive been fortunate to have learned so much from Dr. Ybarra and Dr. Hafidh and am grateful to work alongside both of them to ensure that every child has a beautiful smile. Our greatest goal here is to help children love coming to the dentist.

I began my career in general dentistry in 2008 and in 2016, decided to transition into pediatrics with Dr. Ybarra and her new team! I make sure things run smoothly with the clinical team, order supplies, and assist Dr. Ybarra with patient care. I love that I get to spend so much time with all the adorable children in our office and hear about all their exciting adventures!

I grew up here in the North Country graduating from General Brown High School. My senior year I met my now husband Michael with whom I have our beautiful, energetic son Grant! Most of our weekends are spent at Motocross races in the summer, and in the winter, we enjoy snow activities such as skiing and snowmobiling.

I have always believed that visiting the dentist can be a fun and stress-free experience for both parents and children. My team and I have created an environment for families that is both fun and safe, while offering a comprehensive set of dental services. Dr. Laura

Dr. Laura and our team only work with kids each and every day. Since we area children-only dental office, we staycurrent on the latest advances in dentistry for children. Just as a pediatrician develops his or her special talents, skills, and knowledge for working with childrens bodily health, a pediatric dentist does the same to manage a childs dental health more effectively.

Being the mother of two young children, Dr. Laura understands the concern of parents and children, and how stressful the visit to the dentist can be for both parents and children. She strongly believes in treating every child as if he or she were her own.

Her prestigious education includes a dental degree from UCLA, a general practice residency focused on patients with special healthcare needs, and a specialty residency in pediatric dental. With this extensive training, Dr. Laura can establish a solid foundation of oral health for your child, which allowshim or her to grow up with healthy teeth and the skills to keep them that way for life.

Dr. Laura and our entire dental team are committed to providing the highest standard of clinical care and exceptional customer service. They believe that it is a privilege to treat children, and that they have a unique opportunity to make a difference and encourage each child to have a lifetime of optimal oral health.

As you walk through the office, you will notice that everything is clean, comfortable, and thoroughly sterilized. Your safety and comfort are the priority. Dr. Laura and our team also focus on creating the right atmosphere and environment for children, teens, and those with special needs. Using gentle and child friendly communication, they set the tone of dental care at a relaxed and trusted level. From the brightly patterned scrubs to the whimsical wall hangings, they make sure your child never feels threatened or fearful. They take the time to put your child at ease through these new experiences, ensuring it is painless, caring, and supportive. They learn about their schooling, friends, and even favorite toys. They take the time to explain in simple terms what we are doing and why.

To help make brushing and flossing fun, we have a No Cavity Club to reward children for good home care. In the clinical areas, we have cozy dental chairs, and you are always welcome to accompanyyour kids during their treatment.

Dr. Laura and our staff are specially trained to work with children. We use pleasant, simple terms to answer questions and explain what were doing before, during, and after treatment. Most importantly, we never force treatment on a child. If child is apprehensive or anxious, we use other forms of behavior management techniques to complete the treatment, orsuggest the use of sedation techniques.

We believeyour son or daughters dental experience should be as stress-free as possiblenot only for the child, but for you as well. Great Beginnings Pediatric Dentistry is the only pediatric dental practice in the Watertown, NY area that accepts every dental insurance, and our front office staff will be more than happy to assist you with any insurance or financial questions. Our office is easily accessible by public transportation and has plenty of parking for your convenience.