Where Smiles Grow – Pediatric Dentistry – Schodack

Bios

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  DR. JASON DECKER

  Dr. Jason has practiced pediatric dentistry in the Capital District since 1998. He completed his undergraduate studies at Villanova University, receiving a B.S. in Biology. He then received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The State University of New York at Buffalo. Upon graduation Dr. Jason entered a 2 year residency program at Maimonides Medical Center, in Brooklyn, NY, where he received his Specialty Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Jason then successfully completed all testing and case review to become a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. Dr. Jason and his wife, Paige enjoy quality time with their 3 children, Alex, Andrew and Caroline. He enjoys traveling, golfing or being outdoors, with his children. Dr. Jason is also an avid follower of Villanova basketball and Chelsea FC of the English Premier League. Dr. Jason is an active member of The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Dental Association and The New York State Dental Association – 3rd District. He is certified in Sedation Dentistry in New York State and certified by The Nash Institute for Laser Dentistry. Dr. Jason receives annual OSHA training, bi-annual PALS certifications and regularly attends Professional Continuing Education courses directly associated with Pediatric Dentistry.

  Link: DR. JASON DECKER

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  DR. NANCY CAVOTTA

  Dr. Nancy was born and raised in Mechanicville, NY and graduated from Mechanicville High School in 1989. She attended Long Island University at Southampton on a dual Academic-Basketball Scholarship and received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Biology in 1993. She achieved her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (DDS) from SUNY/Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 1997, with a minor in Pediatric Dentistry. She then went on to a General Practice Residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Monmouth, New Jersey followed by two years of Specialty Training in Pediatric Dentistry, achieving her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Nancy is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and has attained Diplomate status in the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is a member of the Cleft and Craniofacial Team at Albany Medical Center, as the Attending Pediatric Dental Specialist. Dr. Nancy is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the New York State Dental Society, Third District. She has a New York State Sedation Certification and Laser Dentistry Certification by the Nash Institute. Dr. Nancy also maintains Annual CPR and OSHA certification, and biannual PALS certification. She has operating room privileges at Albany Medical Center and Samaritan Hospital. Dr. Nancy has found her true calling as a pediatric dentist. She takes pride in giving the children of the Capital District wonderful dental experiences and changing the expectations of dentistry for generations. She also enjoys spending time with her extensive local family, her husband, Colin and her two children, Carter and Cameron. Together they hike, boat and play hoops in the driveway…She loves that she can win at ”horse” against all the boys in her household….for now! Years smiling at Where Smiles Grow……2000-Present

  Link: DR. NANCY CAVOTTA

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  DR. JENNIFER CHARLESWORTH

  Dr. Jen, as she is known by her patients, has been practicing dentistry at Where Smiles Grow since 2006. She attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA for her undergraduate degree, and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with minors in Chemistry in Education. After college, Dr. Jen joined The Institute for Human Gene Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania where she performed medical research and co-authored several scientific articles in medical journals documenting her work. She then decided to pursue her dental degree, and attended Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, PA. Following dental school, Dr. Jen decide to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry and entered a two year Pediatric Dental Residency Program at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, where she was named Chief Resident after her first year. Dr. Jen then spent two years practicing pediatric dentistry in suburban Philadelphia before deciding to make her home in Saratoga Springs. She has completed all testing and requirements to be named a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. Dr. Jen and her daughter enjoy a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, tennis, and cross country skiing. On the weekends, Dr. Jen will be the proud mom watching her daughter’s softball and soccer games. She is also a huge fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and anything related to Disney. Dr. Jen is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Dental Association, and the New York State Dental Association, 3rd District. She is also a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is certified in New York State for Sedation Dentistry. Dr. Jen receives yearly OSHA training, biannual PALS certification, and completes many hours of Continuing Education Credits in Pediatric Dentistry each year.

  Link: DR. JENNIFER CHARLESWORTH

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  DR. KATE CARROLL

  Dr. Kate was born in Long Island and later moved to California with her family. However, she has a special place in her heart for the Capital Region as this is where her parents met in college! She is a Board-Certified pediatric dentist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree was completed at Tufts University in Boston. Following dental school, she completed an extensive two-year pediatric dental residency program at Schneider Children’s Hospital/Long Island Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY. With her additional training, she gained valuable knowledge and experience with in-office conscious sedation, general anesthesia, behavioral management techniques and trauma on-call cases. Dr. Kate enjoys staying active by kayaking, hiking, and traveling. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and sons, John & Paul. Her boys keep her very busy especially coaching basketball! Dr. Kate is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and is current with Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

  Link: DR. KATE CARROLL

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  DR. DAN CABAN

  Dr. Dan grew up on Long Island but was first introduced to the Capital District when he attended Siena College for his undergraduate degree. After Siena he worked at Albany Medical College in research and went on to attend Temple University School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. After dental school, he completed two residency programs. A one-year general dentistry residency at Woodhull Medical Center during which he realized that he wanted to pursue working with kids and special needs patient. He went on to complete a two-year pediatric dental residency program at Maimonides Medical Center &Kings County Medical Center, both in Brooklyn, NY. After residency he moved back to the Albany area which he always felt was the place he wanted to start his career. Dr. Dan is a Diplomate and Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Dan currently resides in Troy, NY where he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, working on a never-ending list of projects and short lived hobbies, and trying to figure out how to get his family from Long Island to visit more so they can bring him bagels. Oh, and he loves bagels…..A LOT!!!!

  Link: DR. DAN CABAN

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  CLYDE

  Clyde has been a part of the Where Smiles Grow team for many years. Both he & Ms. Lisa love to travel around the Capital Region to various schools & events teaching children about their oral health. Clyde also loves to spend time with his friends in the community, and you’ll regularly see him at Tri-City ValleyCats games hanging out with his pal Southpaw. Clyde is always excited about meeting new children in the Capital Region! If you’d like to have him & Ms. Lisa visit your school or event email lisak@wheresmilesgrow.com!

  Link: CLYDE

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  Dr. LAUREN HEISINGER

  Dr. Lauren was born and raised on Long Island before making her way up to the Capital District. She attended Hofstra University where she received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Biology. Prior to attending dental school, she worked as a graduate laboratory assistant in the Hofstra Microbiology department, and also as an adjunct professor teaching Biology to undergraduate students. Dr. Lauren then went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. During her senior year she was awarded the Patricia Lewis Memorial Scholarship in Pediatric Dentistry for her dedication to outreach and pediatric dentistry. Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Lauren stayed at Stony Brook to pursue her Specialty Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, where she served as Chief Resident in her second year. During residency she obtained extensive experience in treating patients with special health care needs, and many dental and facial emergency trauma cases while on call. She completed research in cleft and craniofacial orthopedics during both dental school and residency. Dr. Lauren is a board-eligible pediatric dentist with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She has also been active in The American Dental Association and The New York State Dental Association. Before moving to the Capital District, Dr. Lauren served on the Board of Directors of the Suffolk County Dental Society for 4 years, while also volunteering on many committees for both the Suffolk and NYS Dental Association. Dr. Lauren was an alternate delegate at both the NYSDA and ADA House of Delegates meetings, and she recently served as the New Dentist Committee Chair for Suffolk County. Dr. Lauren has been a volunteer faculty member at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine where she taught ethics to dental students. She is also devoted to outreach, and has traveled to the Dominican Republic, as well as on a Remote Area Mission to Virginia to treat underserved patients. She has been active in planning and volunteering with the annual Give Kids a Smile event for the last 6 years. When not treating patients, Dr. Lauren enjoys vacationing in the Adirondacks, hiking, biking and waterskiing. She is also an avid skier, and in her free time enjoys traveling and exploring new ski destinations.

  Link: Dr. LAUREN HEISINGER