59 minute read
Mom Next Door / Jody Stein
by DFWChild
real moms.
Jody Stein has balanced her flourishing business and her home life by learning to delegate.
mom next door / JODY STEIN flower girl
WHEN YOU MEET MOM OF TWO and Dallas floral designer Jody Stein, you immediately notice her quick wit and warm smile. Those qualities shine through even though she has faced tragedy and upsetting circumstances in her life, most recently a miscarriage in the midst of the pandemic. Through it all, flowers have been a bright spot in Stein’s world. “I’ve always been a flower lover,” she shares. “Growing up, we would travel a lot for my mom’s job and go to very cool places like Holland and all over Europe. I just fell in love with flowers at a very young age.”
Today, flowers aren’t just a passion—they’re Stein’s profession. She turned her talent for floral arrangements into a business that’s headquartered right in her garage. Stein’s daughters run in and out of the studio, bringing joy (and the occasional meltdown) to her workday.
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You used to work in the fashion industry. How co-chair introduced us. I was like, “Hi, lovely to did you transition to flowers? When Kyle and I got meet you.” And I walked off. I was just the worst married, Todd Fiscus did our wedding, and there person ever. Then I saw him a few months later were flowers everywhere. When I say everywhere, at a happy hour and he wouldn’t talk to me, and I mean there were flowers coming from the I thought he was just a terrible person. Then we ceiling and out of the floor and from the side. were set up on like a blind date. And that was it. That really reignited my love of flowers. I began It sounds like you have a lot of humor in your making arrangements for my mother-in-law and marriage. I always say it’s a bad episode of I Love her friends for the holidays, and people would ask Lucy every day. He’s like Ricky Ricardo. He comes me to do flowers for their luncheons. home from work or comes down from the third
How did you turn it into a business? [Dallas floor, and there’s just always something that I’ve philanthropist] Carol Aaron and I chaired an event gotten us into. And he just shakes his head. He together. They wanted centerpieces for all the shakes his head a lot. tables, but we didn’t want to spend a ton of money What has been your favorite part of running on flowers. I had this idea that I had been toying your own business? It’s two parts really. I run my with for a while for preserving flowers. I got so business out of my home garage, and my children sick of running around and having these flowers are in and out and in and out all day long. I was die a few days later. All that fortunate enough to be able work, all that money, and to create a business where then they just die. I could be with my girls Necessity is the mother of invention. Right? I started RÉSUMÉ all day, every day. I also love that I get to employ Googling and researching incredible people, like my flowers that would preserve AGE 34 HAILS FROM South Africa lead florist Lindsey. She is and keep their color. I would go into Central Market and ask the flower guy there, “We immigrated here when I was 12. My mom was in politics and things now literally part of our family. Do you ever find that it’s Andy, “What can I dry out got a little spicy down there. We were hard to balance being a mom that will keep this color?” held at gunpoint and we got out of with working? It’s a doubleSo after about six months there.” LIVES IN Dallas PREVIOUS edged sword, working from of doing research, this luncheon came along and I said, “Well, do you mind if I CAREER CAREER Fashion wholesale NEW Floral designer for Trove home, because sometimes [a child] will come into the into the workshop and be having do dried arrangements and Florals ALMA MATER Texas a meltdown, and we’ve got we can sell them?” And they A&M University, with a degree in deadlines. were like, “Sure, go for it.” communications SIGNIFICANT What has been your I worked literally 18 hours a day to get all these centerpieces done. They OTHER Kyle Stein, president of Brown Sugar Bourbon CHILDREN biggest learning experience from running a business? I can always fulfill orders, were massive. My motherDaughters Sloane, 3, and Olivia, 1 but sometimes it’s to the in-law called me the night DREAM JOB AS A KID Doctor. “I detriment of me or spending before the luncheon and she really believe I would have been a time with my kids. So I’ve said, “Listen, I just want you to know how proud I am of you and your hard work— doctor if I wasn’t severely dyslexic. Inverting numbers isn’t good when really had to learn how to say no sometimes. This time with my kids—I will never get but at luncheons, these you’re trying to not kill patients.” these fun moments back. things don’t sell, so don’t WHERE YOU CAN FIND HER Every night when I put have your feelings hurt.” At troveflorals.com, @driedside them to bed, especially since that luncheon, every single piece sold. Then people on Instagram the miscarriage, I just hold them, and it’s gut-wrenching started calling me to ask if that they’re bigger today than they could order some. they were yesterday. I just
Wow, what an awesome want them to stay this little start. Yeah, and I needed this. I grew up with a forever. And they can’t; that’s not reality. I love single mother, and since we immigrated here, being a mommy and I love being their mommy, she’s never not worked, and she instilled that in and I’ll never get this time back with them. I just me. If I’m not working I don’t know what to do have to remember I can delegate things and that with myself. I didn’t work for a short period of it’s going to be OK. time when Kyle and I got married, and this gave Do you mind sharing a bit about your miscarme a sense of purpose that I really needed. riage? You were 17 weeks pregnant. That’s devastat
How did you meet your husband? We’re Jewing. Yes.I think it just was par for the course for ish, and on Christmas Eve, Jews have nowhere this year. Expect the unexpected—because it was to go, right? All the young, single Jewish kids go really, really unexpected. I thought I had made it. to this thing called the MatzoBall. It’s as wild as We were in the in the green zone and good to go. it sounds. He was with a company that donated But 2020 said, “No, no, you just wait.” all the liquor, and I was chairing the event. My Has the hustle and bustle of your business
ABOVE // Jody Stein treasures time with her daughters Sloane and Olivia. “I love being a mommy, and I love being their mommy.”
helped you cope in some ways? No question. Being creative and keeping my hands busy making arrangements—it helps me process things. I almost feel like I’m more creative in times of turmoil than not.
What was the moment that you felt like this went from a side hustle
to a full-time business? We used to be called The Dried Side; we made like random tchotchkes and stuff. And then we switched over to Trove Florals and became a real business. We got a website and started shipping things with our own ribbon that said “Trove Florals” on it. I was so proud of myself.
Why did you decide to rebrand? I was never in love with the name The Dried Side. And I was in the car with Sloane, picking her up from school, and “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid came on. She sings, “Look at this trove, treasures untold”—and I was like, Trove! That’s it! It described us perfectly. That’s what I wanted to make: a trove with beautiful assortments of nature’s elements.
I also wanted to make flowers with a purpose. I’ve had so many different things happen in my life and have had so many people touch my life—and I just wanted to figure out a way to raise money for causes that mean something to me. My good friend Courtney’s mother Holly Clegg died of stomach cancer, so we have a Holly box [of flowers]; 20% of the proceeds go to the Holly Clegg Foundation. And I have a Kim box for my best friend who had breast cancer, so 20% of those sales go to Susan G. Komen. I actually found out that I’m BRCA2 positive, so the Susan G. Komen organization means a lot to me.
How did you find out? I got an email from 23andme.com asking if I wanted to see [additional information on] my genetic makeup, and it told me that I’m BRCA2 positive. So I called my OB, and she made me get an appointment with a genetic oncologist, and he confirmed it. I am probably going to have to have a radical double mastectomy and hysterectomy when I am done having kids.
Your family is obviously super important to you. Can you tell me a little
about your childhood in South Africa? My dad left my mom when she got pregnant with me. He’s Italian. And I didn’t know him my whole life. Then I found him on Facebook. I found a brother and my father on Facebook, and connected with them, then flew to Italy and met my dad. I have this huge Italian family now. My husband calls me a pizza bagel.
Since you were raised by a single mom, is it especially important to
you to give your girls a strong female role model? I really wanted my girls to see that their mommy has a work ethic—because I do. I think if you don’t instillthat stuff at a young age, when they’re older, kids can think that they’re automatically going to get a car and all that stuff. It’s a different value system.Personally, I had to bust my a** for everything. My kids are very fortunate that Mommy and Daddy can provide for them, but that’s not the way the world works.
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1DESIGN INSPO, CLOSE TO HOME
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS FILLED WITH ARCHITECTURAL GEMS. THERE IS AN ACTUAL FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT HOUSE A FEW HOUSES DOWN. I TAKE THE DOG FOR A WALK, ENVISIONING WHAT WOULD FIT IN EACH HOUSE I PASS AND COMING UP WITH DESIGN IDEAS.
IN BLOOM jody stein shares what she’s reading, her beauty must-haves & her floral design muses
INTERVIEW HEATHER VANCE DEVERS
FOR SPARKING KIDDO CREATIVITY 2 g “The Trove workshop is out of my home, so the girls are always helping while we do orders. There is a designated box of ‘mishap flowers’ that they get to use, and they think all our containers are fair game. I am always amazed with the colors and textures they put together.”
3
BOOKS ON HER
NIGHTSTAND
WHERE THE
CRAWDADS SING
BY DELIA OWENS;
FLOWERS FOR
ALGERNONBY
DANIEL KEYES; THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD
BY DANIEL J. SIEGEL,
M.D., AND TINA PAYNE BRYSON, PH.D.
CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD BY RUCHI
KOVAL; THE LAST MRS. PARRISHBY LIV
CONSTANTINE
FAVORITE FLORAL DESIGNERS
4 5
“Jeff Leatham. He is a flower god and genius. Also a huge fan of a floral institution in Spain called Bornay.” JEFF LEATHAM STUDIO // jeffleathamflowers.com FLOWERS BY BORNAY // facebook.com/flowersbybornay
NO. 1 BEAUTY PRODUCT
“I have forever and will always be obsessed with the Caviar Stick in Smoke by Laura Mercier. It does not budge.” LAURA MERCIER
CAVIAR STICK EYE COLOR //
lauramercier.com
6BEST VACATIONS g “Growing up in South Africa and being of Italian and Jewish descent, my heart is split between many places that I constantly ache to visit. My favorite family vacation was to Italy. My oldest daughter got to meet my father before he passed and my entire Italian family.” g “My favorite place to go with our entire family is to Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina. My mother-in-law—who is originally from Charleston—is one of six [siblings], and her entire family always gets together for the Fourth of July. It’s one of the most relaxing places on earth, where time just seems to melt away.”
Alera Owens is a former teacher turned stayat-home mom who has retooled her career as an educational consultant, serving families who have chosen to homeschool during COVID-19. Owens’ home base is Arlington, where she lives with her husband Jeremy, a petroleum engineer, and their 5-month-old son, Elliott. When she’s not tutoring and sharing her expertise via Zoom, Owens’ time is all about baby feedings, baby babble and—of course—“Baby Shark.”
a monday in the life of
ALERA
OWENS
4AM My eyes open after hearing 5-month-old Elliott chatting to himself in his crib. I glance at the monitor to see him giggling and grabbing for his toes. It is actually pretty cute until
I remember it’s 4 in the morning… 4:45AM Elliott dozes back to sleep, and I try to do the same. 6AM Jeremy wakes up and gets ready for work. 6:30AM Jeremy heads off to work while I roll out of bed and grab some tea. I’ve never been a coffee drinker, so Tazo tea in the morning is my jam. 6:45AM Elliott senses Mom is up and starts to whimper. 7AM During feeding No. 1, I open my Bible app on my phone and begin reading—but Elliott has other plans and decides he is going to be a wiggle worm. I’ll try again later. 7:30AM We both get dressed: a onesie for Elliott and leggings for Mama. Oh, the perks of the quarantine life. 8AM Playtime while I try and finish my tea and morning reading. Neither gets accomplished. 9AM Elliott goes down for a nap. I head downstairs to get our bag ready for swim class and decide to go ahead and change myself. As I dig through my swimsuit drawer, I giggle thinking about how there always seems to be that one mom who wears a bikini to Mommy-and-me swim class. (Insert eye roll.) 9:03AM I panic, realizing my only one-piece is missing … so I swallow hard and realize I am that mom today. Sorry, swim mates! 10AM Elliott’s awake just in time for his midmorning feed. 10:30AM Change Elliott for swim class and head for the car, only to remember the pool’s allimportant two-diaper rule. I unbuckle E and head for the changing table to add a second swim diaper, but these spandex rash guards are no match for a wiggly 5-month-old. Finally, 10 minutes later, we are ready to go. 10:56AM Arrive to swim class with four minutes to spare. (I call that a mom-win for a Monday!) 11AM We sing, splash and paddle our way through class. Elliott’s a serious one, but today he finally decides to crack a smile! 11:30AM We dry off and head toward home—but first, Starbucks. “I’ll take a grande chai latte, and let’s add a butter croissant too, please!” I realize I have not eaten anything all day. Whoops! 12PM Elliott is down for a nap, and I prepare for a virtual tutoring session. Today I am working with a sweet second grader on reading comprehension. 12:30PM The Zoom call with my student is going great until I hear Elliott start to stir on the monitor. 12:45PM I say a silent prayer, hoping Elliott can last 15 more minutes before a full-fledged meltdown occurs! 1PM Log off Zoom and breathe a sigh of relief that Elliott made it through my tutoring session. These are the times I am very thankful for his newfound skills, like bubble blowing, that help keep him occupied. Time to feed time again. 1:30PM I grab some lunch; this consists of last night’s leftovers. 2PM How can I make the next two hours zoom by? Today, we decide to try our hand at painting in a bag. All you need is a gallon-size bag, washable paint and a piece of cardstock. Put a few dabs of paint onto the cardstock and seal it inside the baggie. I tape the bag onto a hard surface and let baby go to town! Thank you, Pinterest—Elliott loved it. And I loved that it was mess-free. 3:30PM Elliott goes down for his last nap of the day, and I make a spinach-and-apple smoothie. 4PM I check my email and find I have a new client interested in tutoring for her kindergarten son. I know times are so tricky for parents right now, and I quickly reply with my consulting packages. 4:15PM Short naps are the death of me. I feed Elliott and search the freezer for something to make for dinner. 5PM Mad dash to clean the house before the hubby gets home … I mean, I promise I was productive today. 6PM Jeremy arrives home from work! I start dinner. On the menu tonight is stuffed salmon, zucchini and mashed potatoes. 6:30PM Dinner is served. Elliott tries out rice cereal again. Thankfully, Elliott is getting more in
the fine print
WHAT SHE’S READING Hands Free Mama by Rachel Macy Stafford DESTINATION OF CHOICE We had a big trip planned for Banff, Canada, but we have to reschedule due to COVID. WHERE SHE GOES FOR RETAIL THERAPY Madewell RESTAURANT SHE FREQUENTS WITH HER FAMILY Prince Lebanese (a local Arlington favorite) DATE NIGHT SPOT Since COVID, we’ve had to get creative. My favorite spots have been right in our home. We’ve had mini golf in our backyard and a cook-off to see who can create the best dessert with items in our kitchen. GO-TO RECIPE Tacos. (They aren’t just for Tuesdays!) NO. 1 ITEM ON HER BUCKET LIST To live in a foreign country for a few months TOP PLAYLIST Lukas Graham Radio HOBBIES Dance. I love teaching and choreographing for dance studios in my area. SHE WISHES SHE HAD MORE TIME TO Work out LOOKING FORWARD TO Fall and winter weather FAVORITE GIFT TO GIVE FRIENDS Mixy, a mix of herbs and spices to help create perfect drinks and cocktails CELEBRITY MOM SHE ADMIRES Angelina Jolie HOSTESS TIP Never skimp on the food!
his mouth today! 6:50PM Bathtime and bedtime stories. Elliott’s favorite story right now is Bedtime by Elizabeth Verdick. He listens attentively as we read. 7PM Jeremy takes Elliott upstairs and gives him a bottle for his last feeding. He also handles putting Elliott down to sleep, so I get a much-needed hour to unwind (and pump, of course). 7:45PM I decide to do a quick 30-minute workout since I haven’t had a chance to get moving today. My favorite online workouts are Heather Robertson’s free sessions on YouTube. Once Elliott’s play yard is cleared from the scene, I get to squatting! 8:30PM Shower. 8:50PM Quality time with the hubby. We are both exhausted, so we grab a glass of wine and catch up on the latest episode of Renovation Island. 11PM I pump one last time before heading to bed. 11:30PM My head hits the pillow and I quickly drift off to sleep. 11:59PM Eyes open. Wait, is that Elliott I hear?
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Living in an artful environment helps children develop valuable skills. But filling your home with art doesn’t just mean hanging pieces on the walls.
WORDS CARRIE STEINGRUBER
SUPERMAN SITS ON THE EDGE OF A
WHITE-AND-GOLD FRAME, jaw firm, tiny plastic fists outstretched, poised to defend truth, justice and freedom of expression.
Surrounding him are prints and original works the Bowmans have collected from around the world, yet somehow the cheap toy ties the whole wall together. Maybe that’s why Stephany Bowman’s mother picked him up off the floor one day and made him part of the ensemble. “My mom found that little action hero and just put it up on the painting, and we’ve kind of left it ever since,” Bowman says. “It’s just fun.”
The Highland Park mom of three (Annabelle is 10, Alexander is 7 and Angelina is 5) doesn’t believe in coloring inside the lines. Her window treatments? Total lawlessness—in Superman’s room, curtain panels flanking the same window have different prints.
“I think that just reminds the kids that things don’t have to match; things can be unique and special and stand alone, and also blend together,” Bowman says.
But Superman is still the improbable star of the room, and a metaphor for the entire home: a changeable, creative space that everybody contributes to, even a superhero and his synthetic six-pack.
“Of course, we have things that are valuable, but at the same time, my kids grow up here, and I want them to feel like they can interact with things, or see things that make them smile,” Bowman says. “This is their home too—it’s not just my home, an adult’s world that they’re growing up in. It’s all of our home, together.”
Together, they’ve turned their home into what Mary Nangah calls a “livable work of art.” Nangah, who has a Ph.D. in art education and teaches at the Texas Christian University College of Fine Arts, believes that growing up in a creative, artful environment has a special effect on kids—more so than classes at school or the occasional trip to the museum. By filling a child’s living space with art, “you’re normalizing the idea of being creative, being expressive, giving the child voice, giving the child value, and constantly challenging the child as well,” she says.
There’s no shortage of studies to back up her beliefs—a 2015 literature review by the National Endowment for the Arts found strong evidence that art activities help kids regulate their emotions and hone their social skills. Last year, we published a piece exploring the cognitive benefits of art, because creativity is important for STEMwired brains too.
In the home, Nangah says, those benefits are both magnified and more crucial, because the home is where kids do a lot of their developing. It’s where they build a foundation of selfconfidence and social-emotional competence that gives them firmer footing in a world of uncertainty, bullying, pandemics and other stressors.
ABOVE // Alexander Bowman relaxes in the artistic space that is his Highland Park home—with everwatchful Superman perched above. BELOW // Annabelle Bowman strolls past art that brightens the walls.
“Having that grounding at home, I believe, makes a huge difference when a child encounters all these realities of life … in school and nowadays on social media,” Nangah says.
In other words, art is a tool for building resilience—and have our kids ever needed resilience more than right now, in this year from youknow-where?
But when Nangah extols the virtues of art, she’s not talking about a few pricey investment pieces and a Taschen-strewn coffee table. Art, Nangah argues, includes the music you play, the food you prepare, the conversations you have, and the spaces you leave for your children to make their mark—in finger-paint or otherwise.
In fact, making an artful space may mean intentionally not hanging artwork on your walls.
Here, a guide to cultivating a creative home environment for your family, starting with the most fundamental step: redefining the word “art.” 1. CHANGE THE WAY YOU THINK ABOUT ART “When I think of art, I’m thinking of it beyond a painting, a drawing,” Nangah says. Rather, art includes “how a space is composed, how things are organized, the wall color, the smell of the space, is there music playing…”
You probably recognize color, music and interior design as artful elements, but Nangah goes on:
“The energy that is put forth by the adults of that space … the family portraits you put up, the narratives that you bring up in that home, the stories that you tell—all of that is in fact an artistic experience. Because art is subjective, and it’s what we value.”
Everything you bring to a space—the words you say, the essential oils you diffuse, the time you spend playing with your child—can contribute to the space’s artfulness and foster creativity. That’s not to diminish the power of professional art, but to recognize that other things can have artistic value too.
Think about the word curate. Though it’s become wildly overused, the concept of making purposeful choices and thereby conferring value on things is central to creating an artful home. Pursue objects and experiences that have meaning, or that encourage your family to express themselves.
For example, when Angela C. Pitts’ three kids are in the kitchen, she says they’re not only whipping up a small-scale disaster; they’re having an artistic experience.
“Letting them be involved in cooking or just
around the creativity of food and recipes, that is a huge thing that can definitely add to purpose and meaning within the home,” explains the McKinney photographer and visual artist. “[The mess] is totally worth them getting to participate, and seeing how ingredients come together is kind of the same as [how] supplies come together for artmaking.”
Nangah even connects the dots between art and nurturing your child: Art is an extension of the maker, so tending to your child’s whole wellbeing influences their creative output. “What we make is just the avenue in which we express, if it’s through artmaking, if it’s through dance, if it’s through music, if it’s through writing, if it’s through narratives—those things come from within,” she says. 2. TALK ABOUT IT Your curating work is not done once you’ve installed some artistic pieces in your home.
“Curating is not just the hanging,” Nangah asserts, “[but] the memories they build, the interactions, the experience that they create.” She posits that just putting art on the walls—even thoughtfully—does not necessarily constitute an artistic experience. True richness comes from engaging with the work.
Tell your child why you’ve chosen a particular piece or recipe, which may be a chance to pass on a treasured family story. Talk about how the artwork and colors and sounds in your home make your child feel, what they like and dislike. You can even ask for their input before painting the family room (though you may want to present them with some pre-approved options).
Not only does this kind of dialogue encourage creative thinking, it normalizes the practice of listening to other perspectives—a skill we could certainly use more of these days.
There’s a bit of personal accountability involved too in explaining the things in your home to your child. It forces you to examine whether your choices have purpose, even if that purpose is simply to spark joy. Nangah points out that parents might not consider, for example, the impact of a child’s reading material on their ability to appreciate people from other ethnic and social backgrounds. “If one perspective is
all they’re seeing, they will have a harder time accepting, receiving, believing someone else’s perspective that looks totally different from them,” she says.
Life imitates art, right? So be conscious of what your home is communicating, and how you interpret it for your child.
Bowman hopes to relay a message of freedom and fearlessness. “I always tell them, ‘If it doesn’t work out, any pillow is replaceable; nothing is stagnant. I’m not stuck or married or committed to any of those items; I buy them for fun, to make us happy, to bring color,’” she says. “I hope that that inspires them to do the same, to just have fun with it and try different things, and if it doesn’t work to try something different next time.” 3. GIVE YOUR CHILD SOME SPACE In the Bowman house, instead of one designated playroom, there are creative stations scattered throughout where her three kids have supplies to color or play. “I feel like kids want to be together, and they want to create art while you’re sitting there with them, and not just in an isolated space,” she explains.
And for all the artwork under Superman’s domain, Bowman is careful to leave empty space—some bits of blank canvas, if you will, for her kids to “bring the home to life” with their energy.
“We definitely are mindful not to overcrowd the home, because a lot of what the kids contribute is themselves—their movement, being able to do a cartwheel, being able to spread out and do a puzzle on the floor,” says Bowman. “Part of having an inspiring home isn’t always the material things you put in it; it’s also gifting the kids with open spaces, no matter how big or small the home is.”
For Pitts, making room is as much about mental space as physical space—she sees the two as intertwined.
“I don’t like to over-decorate a space; I like to leave some space open for creativity to fill in,” she says. “With the kids’ stuff, I rotate out toys so that they’re not overwhelmed with a bunch of things just piled everywhere.”
Pitts has noticed that when her kids’ playroom becomes cluttered, they’re less likely to initiate independent, imaginative play—instead, they pop into her studio, bored and restless, seeking direction. After a good cleanup, though, they’ll disappear to the playroom for long stretches.
Pitts also buys plain old paper instead of coloring books with characters in them, to liberate— and challenge—her children’s imaginations. “It’s teaching them to kind of think on their own and not just necessarily fill in the lines of a pre-existing picture, and that’s been really fun,” she explains. When she asks what they’ve drawn, “they go into this whole story of what it is in their mind, and that’s a really cool conversation starter.” 4. SHOW OFF YOUR CHILD’S WORK This is not a PR campaign for minimalism. (Instagram has that handled.) In fact, the home of potter and art instructor Brandon Howell would probably have most minimalists sweating.
“In our house, we have art all over the walls, all over our shelves,” he says. “Even when I was growing up, both my parents were art teachers also, so our walls were covered just about from ceiling to floor in this kind of bohemian collage of different artwork.”
But the Collin County father of five hasn’t crowded out his kids’ creativity with “big ‘A’ Art,” as he puts it. Besides the customary fridge exhibit and a gallery wall in the laundry room, “we also have little pieces of pottery and paintings and different things that they did in different spots all over the house,” Howell explains. “It’s mixed in along with our more professional stuff. I want them to understand that art is very approachable from all levels.”
As a parent and a teacher, Howell has noticed that kids get easily discouraged, especially when certain skills don’t come naturally to them. “Having their art on display really hopefully encourages them to keep doing it, and doing it not because they’re going to be a famous artist someday, necessarily, but to do it for their enjoyment,” he says.
Nangah agrees that displaying your child’s masterpieces bestows a critical sense of worth. “In the home, we have family portraits that are hung up, we hang up diplomas, we hang up different things that show meaning,” Nangah explains. If you treat their work like you treat other precious items in your home, your child will understand that you value their voice.
Even if you can’t hang every single piece (after all, you only have so many walls and refrigerators), be sure to praise your child’s creative expressions—the good, the bad and the messy. This reassures your kiddo that, no matter their skill level, what they’ve drawn or sung or danced is meaningful and worthwhile.
“When they’ve created something, it is really, really important,” Howell says.
The confidence to express oneself is liberating, for a child or an adult.
Howell reveals that of all his students, the most creative are the kindergartners, who take a no-holds-barred approach to art.
“They create the most wonderful, creative creations,” he says. “And you might not always be able to tell exactly what it is, but if you ask the child, they will tell you the whole story, the backstory about the character and how they saved this magical universe.”
Then in older kids, Howell often sees a progression of skill and a regression in creativity—you can actually tell what they’ve drawn, but their work lacks the unrestrained vibrancy of a kindergartner’s marks.
“They are going to start thinking more about friends and video games and have all of this pressure on them, and creativity somehow gets squeezed out of it,” he notes. “I think a creative environment … has to be done in a very purposeful way to keep that creativity alive.”
Mom Approved 2020
DENTISTS
WORDS
THE EDITORS
SAY CHEESE! FLASH A SMILE (OR A LOOK OF CONCERN) AT THESE FACTS & FIGURES ABOUT YOUR KIDDO’S GRIN, GLEANED FROM EXPERTS ON ORAL HEALTH.
YIKES! SOME FOODS & BEVERAGES THAT CAN DAMAGE TEETH:
SODA & SUGARY DRINKS
HARD CANDIES
HOW MUCH TOOTHPASTE TO USE:
AGES AGES 0–3: 0–3:
SIZE OF A RICE GRAIN
AGE AGE 3+: 3+:
SIZE OF A PEA
TEETH CAN EXERT AN AVERAGE OF
ICE THAT’S CHEWED
STICKY FOODS LIKE DRIED FRUITS
THIRD GRADERS WHO HAVE HAD DENTAL CARIES: TEXAS 66.8% 66.8% U.S. 51.7% 51.7%
CITRUS FRUITS & JUICES SPORTS DRINKS
UNLIKE BONES OR OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY,
TEETH CAN’T REPAIR THEMSELVES.
CHILDREN TYPICALLY GET BRACES BETWEEN AGES 8 & 14 AGES 8 & 14
200 POUNDS
OF PRESSURE WHEN YOU BITE DOWN.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE A BABY’S FIRST DENTAL VISIT: AFTER THEIR FIRST TOOTH APPEARS BUT NO LATER THAN THEIR FIRST THAN THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY BIRTHDAY
YAY! HERE ARE SOME FOODS & BEVERAGES THAT ARE GOOD FOR DENTAL HEALTH:
WATER (ESPECIALLY FLUORIDATED)
MILK, CHEESE & YOGURT
LEAN PROTEINS
FRUITS & VEGGIES
NUTS
ALL 20 BABY TEETH BABY TEETH SHOULD BE IN
BY ABOUT 2 YEARS OLD.
Is there anything sweeter than seeing a smile spread across your little one’s face? To keep those pearly whites healthy and strong, you need a dentist you trust—and one your child trusts, too. Now, you may be wondering: Since the Metroplex is fortunate to be home to so many dental practices, how do I begin the search for the ideal provider? We’re so glad you asked. DFWChild readers are giving you the inside track by sharing their favorite family and pediatric dentists as well as orthodontists and oral surgeons. Each year, we compile your recommendations into the Mom Approved Dentists guide.
What is a Mom Approved Dentist?
A Mom Approved Dentist is a dentist (or orthodontist, or oral surgeon) who has earned the trust, admiration and respect of parents. We asked our readers to recommend their favorite dental providers and tell us why. Parents praised these dentists for factors such as their professional skills, kid-friendly demeanor and warm office environment. All providers were in good standing with the Texas Board of Dental Examiners at press time.
What makes Mom Approved Dentists different?
Each year, various publications come out with lists highlighting area health care providers. Often these providers are chosen not by patients or patients’ families but by colleagues in the industry. We think Mom Approved Dentists (and all of our Mom Approved providers) are special because they’ve been nominated by local moms and dads who have been in their offices and interacted with them. These oral health professionals didn’t make it into our guide by purchasing ad space. This is a parentto-parent referral list.
Where do I find comments from other parents about the providers they recommend?
Head to dfwchild.com and look for “Mom Approved” in the Directories tab. You’ll find this list plus the rave reviews of parents who have used these dental professionals’ services.
How do I recommend a provider?
DFWChild holds four surveys a year for readers to nominate their favorite health care professionals. (In addition to dentists, we provide reader recommendations for pediatricians, wellness professionals and women’s health specialists.) When surveys are active, you can find them at dfwchild.com, in the “Mom Approved” section (under the Directories tab). Please include comments telling us why your provider is the best of the best!
FAMILY DENTISTRY
ALLEN Toney, David DDS David Toney DDS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
ARLINGTON Darweesh, Osama DDS Brighter Smile Family Dentistry
Watts, Edmond DDS FunDentist Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry
BARTONVILLE Artho, Matthew DDS Country Lakes Family Dental See ad on page 35
BEDFORD Davis, Dakota DDS Davis Family Dental Care
Vartikar, Prachi DMD Nirvana Dental
BURLESON Denton, James T. DDS Dental Visions CARROLLTON Hattaway, Shad DDS, FAGD Indian Creek Dental See ad on page 30
DALLAS Nguyen, Cung (Jeff) DDS Henderson Family Dental
Ombrello, Jill DDS, AIAOMT Central Dentist
Tamkin, Parihan DDS Smile Bar
Vanderbrook, Drew DDS Vanderbrook Family Dentistry
DENTON Edmondson, Chris DDS Denton Family Dentistry
FLOWER MOUND Lo, Wilson DDS, FAGD Texas Dental
FORT WORTH Laska, Justyna DDS, PC Justyna Laska DDS PC Tillman, Gregg DDS Gregg H. Tillman DDS
Unger, Jeremy DDS Texas Dental Arts
GARLAND Musso, Mark DDS Musso Family Dentistry
Musso, Mike DDS Musso Family Dentistry
GRAND PRAIRIE Parson, Kimberly DDS Revive Family Dentistry See ad on page 36
Truong, Chris DDS Great Southwest Family Dental & Implants
KELLER Angwin, Kristen DDS Just for Grins Family Dentistry See ad on page 35
Huynh, Eric DDS Oasis Dental, PA Highland Oaks Family Dentistry
MURPHY Glazer, Brittaney DDS Glazer Family Dentistry See ad on page 37
Jain, Anshu DDS Smiles at Murphy
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Perry, Chad DDS Chad C. Perry, DDS
PLANO Lo, Wilson DDS, FAGD Texas Dental
Thompson, Steven DDS,MAGD Imagecare Dental
RICHARDSON Bunch, Marcie DDS West Shore Family Dental
SOUTHLAKE Baker, Brett DMD Huckabee Dental
Morales, Tracy DDS Huckabee Dental
Thomas, Preetha DMD, FAGD, AIAOMT Enclave Dental
WYLIE Cantrell, Sarah DDS Cantrell Family Dentistry
Eggart, Emily DDS Maxwell Creek Family Dentistry
PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
ARLINGTON Ferguson, Stephanie DDS Park Place Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics See ad on page 32
Ketchel, Jennifer DDS, MS Arlington Pediatric Dentistry
AUBREY Lee, Karrie DMD Windhaven Pediatric Dentistry See ad on page 36
BURLESON Laborde, Elizabeth DDS Burleson Pediatric Dentistry
Walton, Christopher DDS Burleson Pediatric Dentistry
CARROLLTON Goodall, E. Blair DDS Children’s Dental Specialists See ad on page 34
Holt, Jeffrey D. DDS, MS Kids Dental See ad on page 32
Hutcheson, Candice DDS, MS Children’s Dental Specialists See ad on page 34
Simpson, Harold DDS Children’s Dental Specialists
Train, Terri E. DDS, MS Children’s Dental Specialists See ad on page 34
CEDAR HILL Martin, Ashla DDS Kids@Heart Pediatric Dentistry Pediatric Dentistry Colleyville
COPPELL Coe, Karen DDS Coppell Pediatric Dentistry
Louca, Sonia DDS Coppell Dentistry for Kids
Reddy, Anil DDS, MPH, MSND, RCSEd Children’s Dental Care
Rozas, Melissa DDS Melissa Rozas DDS & Associates See ad on page 33
DALLAS Braidfoot, Raymond DMD R. Braidfoot, DMD Pediatric Dentistry
Bushey, Nicholas DMD Children’s Dental & Orthodontics See ad on page 31
Curtis, Ben DDS Children’s Dentistry of North Dallas
Damon, Carla DDS Dallas Pediatric Dentistry See ad on page 35
Harrington, Erik DDS, PhD The Dental Ranch Preston Hollow Specialists
Holly, Lara DMD Children’s Dentistry of North Dallas
Iwase, Rei DDS Children’s Dentistry of North Dallas
Lindley, Anne DDS The Dental Ranch Preston Hollow Specialists
Marr, Karina DDS Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda
Petrocchi, Sandra DDS Arango and Petrocchi PA
Ryan, Patrick DDS Grin Pediatric Dentistry
Shanadi, Arvind DMD Smile Safari Pediatric Dentistry
Tujios, Aleco DDS, MS Woodhill Dental Specialties See ad on page 36 Villaseñor, Alex DDS, MS myKIDSdds See ad on page 37
DUNCANVILLE Barefield, Donna DDS, MSD Barefield Pediatric Dentistry
FLOWER MOUND Duffy, Debra DDS, PA Debra C. Duffy DDS Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry
Waters, Melissa DDS Dental Care 4 Kids See ad on page 34
FORT WORTH Barnett, John L. DDS Kids Stop Dental See ad on page 31
Beville III, R. Nelson DDS Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry
Brazeal, Jerod DDS Legacy Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry
Gold Rector, Elizabeth DDS Legacy Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry
Jamison, Drew DDS Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry
McAnthony, Bridget DDS Bridget McAnthony, DDS Pediatric Dentistry
Morrow, Jack W. DDS, MSD Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry
Patel, Sheela DDS Cook Children’s Neighborhood Clinic Renaissance
Tummala, Leela DMD, MSD, BDS My Kid’s Dentist & Orthodontics
Warcup, Justin DDS North Texas Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics See ad on page 33
Williams, Arthur DDS Kids Stop Dental
FRISCO Bhaumik, Abhishek DDS Stonebrook Pediatric Dentistry
Davis, Mila DDS Healthy Smiles Children’s Dentistry See ad on page 30 Lalani, Zarmin DDS, MS Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry See ad on page 37
Rubin, Paul DDS Frisco Kids Dentistry
Sentelle, David DMD, PhD, MPH Frisco Kids Dentistry
GARLAND Hoang, Lily DMD Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
Kwak, Kee DDS Children’s Dental Care of Garland
Preece, Adam DDS The Pediatric Dental Specialists
Preece, Anya DDS, PSM Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry See ad on page 37
Talaiver, Julie DDS Firewheel Dentistry for Kids
GRAND PRAIRIE Velasquez, Lina DDS The Kid’s Dentist
HIGHLAND VILLAGE Clapp, Jason DDS Pediatric Dental World
HURST Ferguson, Stephanie DDS Park Place Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics See ad on page 32
Lin, Jin DMD Hurst Pediatric Dentistry
IRVING Kuba, Reena DDS, MS Children’s Dental Centre of Irving See ad on page 34
KAUFMAN Harrington, Erik DDS, PhD Texas Dentistry for Kids
Lindley, Anne DDS Texas Dentistry for Kids
Tran, Thanh DDS Texas Dentistry for Kids
LAKE WORTH Martin, Dale DDS, MSD, PC Serengeti Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
LITTLE ELM Masoud, Ziad DDS, MDS Lucky Teeth Pediatric Dentistry
MCKINNEY Chan, Justin DDS Sprout Dentistry for Kids See ad on page 35
Gehani, Daniel DDS Showtime Smiles Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry
Yoo, Sage DMD Sprout Dentistry for Kids See ad on page 35
MESQUITE Harrington, Erik DDS, PhD Texas Dentistry for Kids
Lindley, Anne DDS Texas Dentistry for Kids
Tran, Thanh DDS Texas Dentistry for Kids
PLANO Harrington, Erik DDS, PhD The Dental Ranch
Holt, Jeffrey D. DDS, MS Kids Dental See ad on page 32
Lindley, Anne DDS The Dental Ranch
Ryan, Patrick DDS Grin Pediatric Dentistry
Smith, Nathifa DDS Teeth R Us Children’s Dentistry
RICHARDSON Goodall, E. Blair DDS Children’s Dental Specialists See ad on page 34
Hutcheson, Candice DDS, MS Children’s Dental Specialists See ad on page 34
Simpson, Harold DDS Children’s Dental Specialists
Train, Terri E. DDS, MS Children’s Dental Specialists See ad on page 34
ROCKWALL Chou, Jennifer DDS The Smiley Tooth
Tujios, Aleco DDS, MS Woodhill Dental Specialties See ad on page 36
ROWLETT Pollock, Tera DDS Rowlett Dental Kids SOUTHLAKE Davis, Christopher DDS Davis Pediatric Dentistry
Watts, Amy DDS, MS Giggles & Grins Pediatric Dentistry
SUNNYVALE Preece, Anya DDS, PSM Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry
Reddy, Anil DDS, MPH, MSND, RCSEd Children’s Dental Care
Shields, Joel DDS, PC Joel B. Shields DDS Dentistry for Children and Teens
WILLOW PARK Stroud, Robert Casey DDS Stroud Pediatric Dentistry
ORTHODONTICS
ALLEN Lofgren, Trent DDS Creekview Orthodontics
ARLINGTON Brimhall, Jae DMD, MS Smile Doctors Braces See ad on page 13
BENBROOK Kuperman, Lester DDS, MS, PA Smile Doctors Braces See ad on page 13
BURLESON Kuperman, Lester DDS, MS, PA Smile Doctors Braces See ad on page 13
CARROLLTON Thames, Terry DDS, MSD Thames Orthodontics
COPPELL Bailey, Luke DDS, MSD Bailey Orthodontics
DALLAS Kanabar, Joshika DDS, MS Walnut Central Orthodontics
Lepley, Casey DMD, MS Lepley Orthodontics Simon, Patricia DDS Lakewood Orthodontics, PA
DUNCANVILLE Henderson, Marlon DDS Henderson Orthodontics
FLOWER MOUND Bailey, Luke DDS, MSD Bailey Orthodontics
FORT WORTH Patel, Anthony DMD, MS Smile Doctors Braces See ad on page 13
FRISCO Greenberg, Greg DDS RxSmile
GRAND PRAIRIE Henderson, Marlon DDS Henderson Orthodontics
HASLET Patel, Anthony DMD, MS Smile Doctors Braces See ad on page 13
HIGHLAND VILLAGE Brown, Matthew DDS, MS MB Orthodontics, PLLC
KELLER Miller, Tamara DDS, PA Tamara Miller Orthodontics
LEWISVILLE Krieger, Glenn DDS, MS, FAGD Krieger Orthodontics
MCKINNEY Lofgren, Trent DDS McKinney Orthodontics
MURPHY Fesler, Michael DDS, MS Fesler Orthodontics
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Delgado, Michael DDS, MS Delgado Orthodontics
PLANO Crain, Gerald DDS Crain Orthodontics
Jensen, James Dean DDS, MS, PA James Dean Jensen, DDS, MS, PA
Jones, Tamara DDS, MSD Willow Bend Orthodontics
RICHARDSON Jones, Tamara DDS, MSD Richardson Orthodontics
SOUTHLAKE Patel, Anthony DMD, MS Smile Doctors Braces See ad on page 13
Tolleson, Shane DDS, MSD Tolleson Orthodontics
ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY
DALLAS Gannon, John DDS Dallas Oral Surgery Associates
Schlieve, Thomas DDS, MD, FACS UT Southwestern Medical Center See ad on page 36
PLANO Gannon, John DDS Dallas Oral Surgery Associates
Check out our Mom Approved lists at dfwchild.com/directory. You’ll find a variety of reader-recommended providers and the reasons local moms love them.
Shad Hattaway, DDS, FAGD Family Dentistry
Dr. Hattaway’s philosophy is pretty simple. Education is the best form of prevention. He works to put every one of his patients into a maintainable state all by themselves at home. “If you can’t keep it clean, it’s not a matter of IF it’s a problem, but WHEN it’s a problem.” He loves working with parents and children early to help build healthy habits for a lifetime.
In addition to his private practice in Carrollton, Texas, he is the president of the board of directors for a community supported non-profit dental clinic in Arlington. This clinic has a school based educational program that goes around to second, third, and fourth graders in Tarrant county and teaches them good oral hygiene habits and techniques. They complete dental screenings, provide sealants, and give out toothbrushes. For some of these school children, the toothbrush their program gives them is the first one they have ever owned. Dr. Hattaway states, “This is where I get really passionate.” He follows the adage, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ While this saying was originally referencing fire prevention, many of the same concepts can be applied to our health. Working with parents and children closely is often the solution to avoiding dental health problems all together.
Dr. Hattaway was recognized by the Dallas County Dental Society as New Dentist of the Year in 2017 for his contributions to the organization, the profession of dentistry, and the community in which he serves during his first 10 years of practice.
If you know of a family or pediatric dentist in the Fort Worth/Arlington area who is looking for ways to support the community, please get in contact with Dr. Hattaway!
1016 E Hebron Pkwy., Carrollton, TX 75010 972-836-8653 • indiancreekdental.com
Dr. Mila Davis is a cum laude graduate of Princeton University. She received her D.D.S. from Columbia School of Dental Medicine in New York City, with specialty training at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University receiving Certification in Pediatric Dentistry. She was an Assistant Professor for Clinical Dentistry at Columbia University. In Dallas, Dr. Davis taught part time at Baylor College of Dentistry. After rigorous clinical and written examination, she was awarded Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Davis has hospital privileges at Children’s Medical Center. She was co-chair of the North Texas Give Kids a Smile Program where dental members volunteer to screen underserved children 5–12 years old for dental decay. Dr. Davis is certified in basic life support and pediatric advanced life support. She is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Greater Dallas Pediatric Dental Society.
Healthy Smiles Children’s Dentistry 12398 FM 423, Ste. 1900 Frisco, TX 75033 214-436-4774 healthychildrenssmiles.com
Dr. John L. Barnett, Jr. began his practice of Pediatric Dentistry in 1978 in New Orleans, Louisiana. While in New Orleans, Dr. Barnett was very active in organized dentistry: A member of the American Dental Association, National Dental Association and the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Barnett has served as President of the Pelican State Dental Association, President of the Louisiana Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Chairman of the Medicaid Task Force for the Louisiana Dental Association. Dr. Barnett also worked at the LSU School of Dentistry, for over ten years, as an Associate Professor.
After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2005, Dr. Barnett moved back to his childhood home of Fort Worth, Texas and opened Kids Stop Dental Care in 2007. Dr. Barnett’s love of art and music can be seen and heard throughout the colorful new dental facility. He feels blessed to be able to bring beautiful smiles to kids every day and is passionate about giving back to his local community.
Kids Stop Dental 6222 Hulen Bend Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76132 817-546-3335 kidsstopdentistry.com
Your child deserves a smile they cherish for a lifetime, we are here to make that happen. We are a leading children’s dental practice serving patients throughout the greater Dallas areas. We believe that creating a beautiful, healthy smile should be easy, convenient, and downright fun! Dr. Nicholas Bushey and our experienced dental team are committed to creating a world-class treatment experience for your child.
After obtaining his undergraduate bachelor’s degree, Dr. Bushey was awarded the coveted 4-year Health Professional Scholarship for dental school. Dr. Bushey went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Pennsylvania and later served as a general dentist officer for 5 years in the Air Force.
Following his service in the Air Force, Dr. Bushey discovered a passion for pediatric dentistry and went on to complete his pediatric dentistry specialty training at the University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. He spends his free time trying new restaurants, traveling, running, video games and playing with his dogs, Benny and Copper.
Dr. Bushey looks forward to helping each child that enters our doors.
Children’s Dental and Orthodontics 17194 Preston Rd. #160 Dallas, TX 75248 214-453-2567 childrensdentaldallas.com
Park Place Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodotics 3602 Matlock Rd #208 Arlington, TX 76015 817-465-1888 parkplacekids.com
Your child deserves a smile they cherish for a lifetime and, at Park Place Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re here to make that happen. We are a leading pediatric dental and orthodontic group serving patients throughout Arlington, TX and Hurst, TX offering comprehensive care in a warm, welcoming, and kid-friendly office environment.
Dr. Stephanie Ferguson loves being a mom and a pediatric dentist; she is great at both! Dr. Ferguson is the owner and principal dentist at Park Place Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and has been for over five years. The office provides a welcoming and fun environment and kids really look forward to visiting the dentist. It is not unusual for a young patient to start with Dr. Stephanie when they get their first tooth and stay with her for many years. Park Place recently hired a wonderful orthodontist and is now able to offer full orthodontic treatments to our patients.
A 2008 graduate of Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Dr. Ferguson continued her education with a two-year residency at the UT Health Science Center in Houston receiving her specialty certificate in pediatric dentistry. A proud Texas native, Dr. Ferguson is a happily married mother of three amazing kids. She loves spending time with her family and enjoys running, church, remodeling fixer uppers, serving her community and watching Aggie football.
A board certified specialist in Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry, Jeffrey Holt is the founder of KidsDental, a favorite of both kids and parents alike in the Dallas area. Dr. Holt has strategically changed the way children experience dentistry by providing positive and exciting atmospheres custom designed with children’s needs in mind. Kid-friendly diversions like SuperSlide PlayScapes, video games, trendy music, cool light shows, and inviting colorful dental chairs equipped with movies help keep each visit fun! With an emphasis on early childhood intervention, cosmetic restorative Pediatric Dentistry, and Orthodontics, Dr. Holt and his expert team focus on specialized and preventive dentistry during the growth and development years. A commitment to the highest level of quality care assures a healthy smile for life. Education: DDS, University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry; Post-Doctoral MS, Baylor University; Certificate of Pediatric Dentistry, Baylor College of Dentistry; Specialty Residency Programs, Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children Affiliations: American Board of Pediatric Dentistry; American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; American Dental Association; Texas Dental Association; Dallas County Dental Society; Greater Dallas Society of Pediatric Dentists; former Clinical Director and Professor, Baylor College of Dentistry and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Board Certified: Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
KidsDental Plano: North Dallas Tollway @ Parker • 972-378-5437 Carrollton: Hebron @ Josey • 972-394-2140 kidsdentalonline.com
Dr. Melissa Rozas, the mom of two teenagers, knows the importance of making children feel comfortable, safe and confident in the dental office. She is passionate about creating a positive experience that is not only educational but also informative and fun! “Clear communication, trust, and setting goals with the parents and children is our mission, and we mix in a ton of fun as well!”
Our pediatric dentists and team love seeing patients as infants or by age 1 year. “Seeing babies early in life allows us the ability to teach parents the best way to take care of their child’s mouth and teeth. In addition, we can evaluate for potential problems such as tongue posture, tongue and lip-ties, speech problems and feeding issues.” She says, “there is new research showing how an early diagnosis and treatment with many of these problems, is key to giving children the ability to grow to their full potential and thrive at home and school.”
Dr. Melissa Rozas is board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and she is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is the founder and owner of the North Texas Tongue Tie Center, which opens spring of 2021. She is an active member of the American Dental Society, Texas Dental Association, The Greater Dallas Pediatric Dental Society, the Academy Laser Study Club, and the International Affiliation of Tongue-Tie Professionals.
Dentistry for Infants, Children & Teens, P.A.
Melissa Rozas, DDS Dentistry for Infants, Children & Teens, PA 632 E. Sandy Lake Rd., Coppell, TX, 75019 972-393-9779 • info@rozasdds.com rozasdds.com
Justin Warcup, DDS, is the owner of North Texas Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Dr. Warcup earned a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degree at Ohio State University (OSU), where he also was on the dean’s list, served as president of the OSU Dental Entrepreneur Society, and co-founded OSU’s La Clinica Latina to provide dental care to an underserved community.
Dr. Warcup is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Academy of Laser Dentistry, Texas Dental Association, Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Fort Worth District Dental Society.
Dr. Warcup and his wife have four children. When he is not in the office helping patients or at home enjoying his family, Dr. Warcup serves in leadership capacities with youth groups in the community—where he coaches sports teams, leads scouting groups.
“At North Texas Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, every member of The Smile Team aims to help our patients enjoy their trips to the dentist so much that they look forward to the next visit! We recognize that each patient is special and invaluable, and we celebrate them. I consider it both an honor and a privilege to provide Fort Worth’s youth the highest quality dental care in the best possible environment,” says Dr. Warcup. “I love what I do, and I truly believe I have the greatest job on this earth.”
North Texas Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics 3550-C Hulen St., Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-732-9341 • northtexassmiles.com
Children’s Dental Specialists 100 N Central Expy #1108 Richardson, TX 75080 4443 N Josey Ln Carrollton, TX 75010 972-235-8555 childrensdentalspec.com
Candice Hutcheson, DDS, MS; Terri E. Train, DDS, MS & E. Blair Goodall, DDS Pediatric Dentistry 7x Mom Approved
Children’s Dental Specialists has provided the highest quality of care since 1980, when Dr. Harold Simpson started the practice. Now, Drs. Candice Hutcheson and Terri Train are delighted to welcome Dr. Blair Goodall to the team, providing the same wonderful care to children that families of the practice have come to expect!
Drs. Hutcheson, Train, and Goodall each completed a pediatric dentistry residency at Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry and are Board Certified (or Board Eligible) pediatric dentists. In addition to the practice, they are dedicated to serving the community through dental education, charity services, and sponsorships.
At Children’s Dental Specialists, each patient is treated as if they are a part of our own family. The doctors and staff take pride in creating a positive and fun environment from the very first appointment. We treat children of all ages and medical conditions, with a strong emphasis on preventive dentistry.
A proud Dallas native, Dr. Reena Kuba received her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Texas at Dallas. She then earned her DDS degree from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. While at Baylor, she completed her certification in pediatric dentistry in addition to a Master of Science in oral biology. Dr. Kuba is a certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is a guest lecturer in the department of pediatrics at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. In addition to her passion for preventive dental care, Dr. Kuba and her team specialize in laser dentistry, infant tongue and lip tie release, serving the pediatric special needs population, and creating a positive dental experience for all her patients.
Children’s Dental Centre of Irving 8870 N. MacArthur Blvd. #A101 Irving, TX 75063 214-484-3199 irvingchildrensdental.com
Melissa Waters, DDS Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Melissa Waters is so thrilled to return back to the DFW area after living in the Lowcountry of South Carolina for the last 4 years. Originally from small town Nebraska, after graduating from dental school from the University of Nebraska Medical Center, she then completed a pediatric residency at Baylor College of Dentistry/Texas A&M HSC. During her training program, she gained extensive experience working at Children’s Hospital Dallas and Scottish Rite Hospital treating children with complex medical conditions and special healthcare needs. As an experienced pediatric dentist, who was a former nurse, she brings a gentle, conservative approach to treating not just a child’s dental health, but focuses on whole body wellness and optimizing growth and development. Her recently renovated office is located in the heart of Flower Mound, and aims to create a family-centered environment where you and your child are welcome to experience the dental visit together.
Dental Care 4 Kids 2260 Cross Timbers Rd., Ste. 100 Flower Mound, TX 75028 972-874-2800 dentalcare4kidstexas.com
Dr.’s Kristen and Jonathan Angwin are a husband and wife team your whole family will love! They focus on providing excellence in dentistry and gentle care for patients of all ages. Their practice philosophy is to create beautiful, healthy smiles and build lasting relationships. Dr. Jonathan focuses his time with the adult patients while Dr. Kristen’s passion is taking care of the children in a warm, caring, kid friendly environment. “What I love most about working with children is having an excuse to be silly all day. I enjoy seeing their big smiles and hearing how excited they are to come see me!”
Just for Grins Family Dentistry 681 S. Main St., Ste. 300 Keller, TX 76248 817-741-4455 justforgrinskeller.com
Very few dentists tout the accomplishments and treatment availability like those of Dr. Matthew Artho of Country Lakes Family Dental. A father of nine children, and a veteran, Dr. Matt is a graduate of Texas A&M College of Dentistry, completing an Advanced Residency in General Dentistry and a recipient of a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry. A dentist for the entire family, his office is all-digital and state-of-the-art including laser treatment for children that requires no anesthesia. Voted by his patients as Best of Denton County for 8 years, Dr. Matt is the dentist for your entire family.
Country Lakes Family Dental 74 McMakin Rd., Ste. 200 Bartonville, TX 76226 940-455-7645 • info@countrylakesdental.com countrylakesdental.com
Justin Chan, DDS & Sage Yoo, DMD Pediatric Dentistry
As fellow devoted parents and board-certified pediatric dentists, Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage founded Sprout Dentistry for Kids with the vision of providing families with exceptional care and service that even kids’ dental specialists would approve of for their own children. Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage view each visit as a milestone in your child’s life and an opportunity to build life-long positive attitudes towards oral health. From radiation-free decay detection to needle-free laser dentistry, we’re committed to providing the highest quality care at each visit while guiding you and your child through a lifetime of healthy milestones!
Sprout Dentistry for Kids 6675 S Custer Rd #200 McKinney, TX 75070 469-301-3212 • sproutdentistryforkids.com
Carla Damon, DDS Pediatric Dentistry
Your children are in for a treat with Dr. Damon. She is a board-certified pediatric dentist located in Dallas. Her experience is grounded in a passion for growth and development, prevention, and wellness beginning from birth to the age of 18! Correcting suboptimal growth and development can impact a child’s life by affecting their feeding, swallowing, breathing, and sleeping. Her goal is to help kids thrive! Prevention is also a focus with our Hands-on Learning Lab™ where children learn the science and techniques for self-care of their teeth while working one-on-one with a health coach.
Dallas Pediatric Dentistry 8411 Preston Rd., Ste. 200 Dallas, TX 75225 972-808-6825 • dallaspediatricwellness.com
Karrie Lee, DMD Pediatric Dentistry
After 10 years in practice as a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Karrie finally opened up her own dental office serving the communities of Prosper, Frisco, Aubrey, Crossroads, and their neighbors!
WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry is a brand-new, clean, state-of-the-art dental practice that is designed to be your kids’ Dental Home! We want to grow with them as they grow, and teach them the importance of maintaining a healthy, happy smile throughout their lifetime! Here at WPD, we value compassion and safety and we pride ourselves in providing quality and conservative dental care, all while having fun, so that your child will have the best experience!
WindHaven Pediatric Dentistry 27045 E. University Dr. Ste. 2A Aubrey, TX 76227 469-277-1787 • WindHavenPD.com
Kimberly Parson, DDS Family Dentistry
Dr. Kimberly Parson and the Revive Family Dentistry team are excited to serve your entire family with the very best in family and cosmetic dentistry. We are blessed to have the opportunity to provide a relaxing dental home for both our adult and pediatric patients. Dr. Parson believes that patient education is paramount in preventing and resolving dental issues. She takes the necessary time to explain recommendations regarding her patients’ dental health. Dr. Parson believes that comfort and trust is paramount to establish a healthy relationship between dentist and patient. At Revive Family Dentistry, your family can expect gentle dental care in a warm and relaxing atmosphere.
Revive Family Dentistry 2360 W. Camp Wisdom Rd., Ste. 170 Grand Prairie, TX 75052 • 469-340-4002 info@revivedentistry.com • revivedentistry.com
Thomas Schlieve, DDS, MD, FACS Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 2x Mom Approved
Dr. Thomas Schlieve is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon practicing at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health. He is the only oral surgeon in DFW with fellowship training in the management of cysts, tumors, and cancers of the mouth and jaws privileged to operate at Children’s Health. He specializes in pathology such as the ameloblastoma, odontogenic keratocyst, or jaw cysts/tumors. He is an expert in the management of wisdom teeth and extra teeth. Dr. Schlieve aims to provide the highest level of patient safety and quality care. In his role at Children’s, he provides surgery to children with complex medical problems. UT Southwestern Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery 6333 Forest Park Blvd, Suite 130, Dallas, TX 75235 Thomas Schlieve, D.D.S, M.D 214-645-3999 utswmed.org/doctors/thomas-schlieve drthomasschlieve.com
Woodhill Dental Specialties is the dual-specialty dental office of Drs. Aleco E. Tujios (center), Jeffrey G. Johnson (right) and Dr. Kate Norbo (left). Recently expanded to Rockwall, TX, their practice has been serving the children and adults of the Dallas Metroplex for over 71 years. With board certified specialists in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics under one roof, their office provides exceptional and personalized care to their patients from infancy throughout adulthood. With familiar faces, a compassionate and experienced staff, and a relaxed office environment, it is not uncommon for patients to express “They can’t wait to go back and see the dentist again!”
Woodhill Dental Specialties 8355 Walnut Hill Ln. #100, Dallas, TX 75231 • 214-691-1172 6519 Horizon Rd., Rockwall, TX 75032 • 469-769-5727 woodhilldentalspecialties.com
Dr. Alex Villaseñor, her colleagues and the caring team at myKIDSdds are dedicated to serving you and your family with the very best in pediatric dental care and orthodontics. They feel blessed for the opportunity to be a positive influence on children’s lives through their work at myKIDSdds and in their community.
As a four doctor practice that includes both pediatric dentists and orthodontists, the team at myKIDSdds is passionate about collaborative care and building healthy habits which lead to a well-balanced lifestyle. When visiting myKIDdds you can expect an award-winning atmosphere and knowledgeable, compassionate professionals that will treat your family as their own.
myKIDSdds 8325 Walnut Hill Ln., Ste. 111 Dallas, TX 75231 214-696-3082 • myKIDSdds.com
Brittaney L. Glazer, DDS Family Dentistry 3x Mom Approved
“One doctor. One office. Your whole family.” is our motto and we mean it! Dr. Brittaney Glazer is the only dentist you’ll see at Glazer Family Dentistry and we believe that makes all the difference. Her team provides specialized personal care that you cannot always find at a larger dental practice. In 2018, 2019 and 2020 we were voted “Best Dentist” by the Murphy Monitor, and a 2019 and 2020 “Neighborhood Favorite” by Nextdoor.com. Read our reviews and come meet us! Glazer Family Dentistry 119 N. Murphy Rd., Ste. 500, Murphy, TX 75094 214-774-9906 • GlazerFamilyDentistry.com Instagram and Facebook: @GlazerFamilyDentistry
Zarmin Lalani, DDS, MS Pediatric Dentistry 5x Mom Approved
Dr. Zarmin Lalani and staff are passionate about providing highest quality dental care in a fun, friendly and compassionate environment. Creating a strong foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles begins with positive experiences! Dr. Lalani is board certified, a fellow of the AAPD, and a diplomate of the ABPD. She holds her DDS, Masters, and her Pediatric Specialty Residency certificate from Baylor College of Dentistry. She feels blessed to be able to bring beautiful smiles to kids every day! Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry 10710 Eldorado Pkwy. Ste. 140, Frisco, TX 75035 469-365-5437 • discoverykidsdentistry.com
Anya Preece, DDS, PSM Pediatric Dentistry 3x Mom Approved
Dr. Anya Preece has dedicated her profession to becoming a nurturing dental provider specializing in infants, children, teens and patients with special needs. Her professional expertise is complimented by her perspective as a mother including two with special healthcare needs. She has built a team who are devoted to working with children. We think of our patients as members of our dental family and want you to feel like our office is your dental home. Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry 2820 N. Belt Line Rd. #200, Sunnyvale, TX 75182 972-674-TINY (8469) • tinyteethtx.com
Mom Approved
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PEDIATRICIANS | COUNSELORS | THERAPISTS | WOMEN’S HEALTH DENTISTS | ORTHODONTISTS | WELLNESS PROFESSIONALS
