The Connection Bridgewater-Somerville Edition April/May 2018

www.theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 20 New Ownership 30/ "( /-/ #" & ,.--& % " & *5-4+ 131).1-- Gift Certificates Available Walk-ins and Appointments Welcome HOT DEALS HOT DEALS # !' ) ' 5'0- )3'0- & "' 5 )2 & # ' .- )1 %%%( $ ! ( # &( !& % "(!& !+ ( & 0-6 ! ($ 2 ($ 36< ! ($ 364 $ ! (# &" /16 ! # " "! $) % $" ( & Artificial Nails ( & ! 2 & . ------:4= ! 2 & . --------------94= ( & . ----------------------------89= . ------------------------------------69= ( & ! 2 & $+ "* $ --94= ! 2 & $+ "* $ ---------84= ( & $+ "* $ -----------------------74= $+ "* $ -------------------------------64= $' ") --------------------------9/54 Hand/Feet ! ($ ---------------------------------------------59= ! ($ " "$ -----------------------------69= ($ ----------------------------------------------69= ($ " "$ ------------------------------79= ($ '"! %% --------------35 . !(& ($ # ----------------------------------------89= ! ($ 2 ($ --------------------------79= $ ! . % ! -------------------------------------9/54 " % ! 0 ! . &1 -------------------54 " "$ ! --------------------------------59 $ ! 056 2 ! $1 ! . --------<.59 Waxing + $"*% ---------------------------------------------; !. # -----------------------------------------------9 ! $ $ -------------------------------------------54= ! ----------------------------------------------------69= $ , ! -----------------------------------------------79= . ( ----------------------------------79.:9 $ . ( $ --------------------------------64.74 . %&-------------------------------------------84= ( ----------------------------------------------64= BRANCHBURG PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY 3322 Route 22 West Branchburg, NJ 08876 branchburgpediatricdentistry.com 908-722-2226 By: Kaylynn Ebner Dr. Archana Devi & Dr. Bernadette LaPena To maintain lifelong dental health, it is critical to begin caring for the teeth and gums during childhood— and that includes regular cleanings and exams by a dental health profes- sional. But, it takes a special kind of dentist to make such visits fun for the toughest critics: kids! Pediatric dentists Archana Devi, DDS, and Bernadette Lapena, DDS, of Branchburg Pediatric Dentistry have built their practice around mak- ing dental visits less intimidating for children with a mix of friendly atmos- phere, education, and technology. “I knew I wanted to focus on pedi- atrics since I was in dental school,” says Dr. Lapena, who received her DDS degree from New York Universi- ty College of Dentistry and complet- ed her General Practice Residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY. “I always found the pediatric rotations to be the most fun and interactive.” Her colleague, Dr. Devi, also loves working with children, and explains that the entire office (celebrating its fifth anniversary) was designed with babies, children, and teens in mind. “We try to make visits fun. We have a play area in the waiting room with toys, televisions, and iPads. There are television screens above the dental chairs, and children receive prizes after visits,” states Dr. Devi, who received both her DDS and Certifi- cate of Pediatric Dentistry from New York University. The paperless office provides state-of-the-art care in several ways. In-office digital x-rays as well as digi- tal caries detection can be projected onto computer screens to serve as an educational tool to discuss care and locate problem areas. Again, this helps children (and their caregivers) better visualize their dental care. “We strongly believe in educa- tion,” says Dr. Lapena, noting that she and Dr. Devi spend a lot of time with patients talking about every- thing from dental health best prac- tices to foods to avoid and more. Dr. Devi adds that the pair regular- ly visits schools and summer camps to encourage good dental hygiene from an early age and to make children comfortable with the idea of visiting a dentist. In fact, they encourage a child’s first visit at the first tooth eruption, which often happens before the first birthday. In keeping with their goal of a less intimidating dentist’s visit, Dr. Lapena says they are careful to explain pro- cedures to children without scary lan- guage. And when youngsters are very nervous about a procedure, Branchburg Pediatric Dentistry offers nitrous oxide/oxygen (i.e., laughing gas). For special needs chil- dren who cannot tolerate procedures in the office, Drs. Devi and Lapena will travel to local hospitals to do pro- cedures under anesthesia. In this modern age of emails and cell phones, Drs. Lapena and Devi are able to answer questions and provide reassurance to parents when acci- dents and concerns arise outside of office hours. From the fun décor to the caring, education-oriented dentists, Branch- burg Pediatric Dentistry is sure to put kids at ease about visiting the dentist. Pediatric Dentists Give Kids Something to Smile About