Elena Stavisky DMD

Dentistry Exclusively for Infants, Children, Teens & Special Needs

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Elena Stavisky

Meet Dr. Elena Stavisky

Welcome to our Pediatric Dental practice! Superior oral health is vital to a child’s overall health and development. Dr. Elena Stavisky is committed to allowing your child to achieve a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. She will also assist you to develop the necessary tools for an excellent oral hygiene regime in a fun and child-friendly environment.

Dental health is an absolute must to ensure a child’s overall health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association both recommend a child’s 1st dental visit at the age of one year. Pediatric dentists have the knowledge and experience needed to provide your child with a positive and fun experience. Dr. Stavisky was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania and raised in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. She attended Abington Heights High School where she graduated with honors and then majored in Russian Civilization at the University of Pennsylvania. While at PENN, Dr. Stavisky served on several committees and was a tutor with the science mentoring program for 2nd grade children in West Philadelphia.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Stavisky moved to Seattle, Washington to teach underprivileged middle school children with Americorps' Teach For America program. While in Seattle, she taught science to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade children, served on the parent-teacher association committee, and ran the after school sports activities.

In 1997, Dr. Stavisky enrolled in the Kornberg Temple University School of Dentistry following in the footsteps of her father and two sisters. While at Temple, she served as the vice-president of the Pediatric Study Club, was the treasurer of the Oral Surgery Honor Society, was a member of the Endodontic Study Club, a member of the Stomatognathic Honor Society, and a member of the America Student Dental Association.

Following completion of dental school, Dr. Stavisky stayed on at Temple University to train in the field of pediatric dentistry. She served as the chief resident of her peers and received her specialty training certificate in 2003 with clinical honors.

Dr. Stavisky is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the New Jersey Dental Association, the Philadelphia County Dental Association, the Pierre Fauchard International Dental Honor Society, the American College of Dentists, Rotary International, and is an alumni advisor for the Teach For America program in Philadelphia. She is also a Diplomate with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists and Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Stavisky has two daughters and loves spending family time with them.

A Child's First Visit

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A Child's First Dental Visit

A Child's First Dental Visit: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child’s first dental visit occurs by his/her first birthday.  With your help, we can make this initial visit a positive experience.Here are a few suggestions that may help to prepare your child for this visit:

  • Inform your child of the visit.  Explain to your child that the dentist wants to meet him/her.  Present this visit as an exciting experience for both your child and yourself.  This will help to convey good feelings to your son/daughter.
  • Tell your child that we will count, brush, and take pictures of his/her teeth.  We explain the exam to the child in these terms.
  • Be POSITIVE about this experience.  Please avoid negative words such as hurt, shot, needle, or pinch.  The dentist is a person who “helps your teeth” and does not “hurt your teeth”.
  • Please discuss dentistry honestly with your child.  If they ask questions, answer them or please ask the child to ask a member of the dental team when they are at the office.
  • Bring only the child that is to be seen for the dental visit if at all possible so that the parents and the staff can concentrate on that child’s needs.
  • We welcome the parents’ presence during the exam appointments.  However, for treatment procedures will be evaluated on an individual basis.
  • If your child requires dental treatment, we kindly request that the child is accompanied to the treatment rooms with a staff member.  We are all highly experienced in helping a child to overcome anxiety.  Separation anxiety is not uncommon in children, so please try not to be too concerned if the child exhibits some negative behavior.  This is normal and will be overcome in time.  Studies and experience have shown that children react more positively when they are able to experience the dental visit on their own in an environment specifically designed for them.  Our purpose is to gain your child’s confidence and overcome any apprehension.

What to Expect

What to Expect For your information, the FIRST visit at the office will include the following:

  1. Meeting Dr. Stavisky and her staff
  2. An orientation to the dental office
  3. Examining the erupted teeth for cavities, the gums for infection, and other mouth abnormalities
  4. Evaluation of the occlusion (the way the teeth fit together)
  5. Checking for sufficient room for the permanent teeth
  6. Determining the effects of childhood habits (thumb sucking, pacifier use, etc.)
  7. Cleaning of the teeth, flossing, scaling (if necessary) and fluoride treatments
  8. Obtaining x-ray films (as needed) for diagnostic purposes (detecting decay between the teeth, bone position, and location of teeth).  We have the newest and safest digital equipment that makes this part of the visit extremely fun and easy. We follow the guidelines set forth by both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association.
  9. Consultation on diet and home care which consists of tooth brushing techniques, tooth paste use, flossing, fluoride treatments, and management of oral habits.
  10. A treatment plan will be formulated for the comprehensive care of your child and discussed with you.

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Portfolio

Check out our beautiful office pictures

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F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Office Mission

    My office mission is simple. Deliver the highest quality and personalized dental care to your child in a positive manner. I am passionate about my job and this allows me to enjoy your child’s company and build memorable relationships with your family. I take pride in educating families about the importance of dental health and allowing your child to use this knowledge into his adulthood. My office delivers care to infants, toddlers, young teens, teenagers, and special need individuals.

  • Every effort will be made to see your child at his appointed time. However, if an emergency occurs, there may be a slight delay. Children in preschool and primary school are usually seen in the morning hours since they are not tired at these times. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation appointments are scheduled in the morning hours between 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM due to eating restrictions. We have school absence forms available for your visits. We kindly ask that you give 24 hour notice if you need to reschedule your appointment so that we may treat another child.

  • Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30AM to 5:00PM.

    • Dental Exams
    • Dental Cleanings
    • Digital Radiographs
    • Dental Sealants
    • Amalgam and Composite (tooth colored) Restorations
    • Extractions
    • Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)
    • Oral Sedation (in office) – for anxious and nervous children
    • Operating Room Services at St. Chistopher’s Hospital for Children
    • Special Need Individuals

  • We ask that all services be paid for at the time that they are provided based on your dental insurance benefits. We accept cash, check, VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards. Our office will also submit all necessary forms to your dental insurance company for reimbursement.

  • Our office will make every effort to maximize your dental benefits based on your plan. Please call the office and speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members to coordinate your individual insurance needs.

Pediatric Dentistry

Our team is always here to help

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The Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentistry is the specialty of dentistry that focuses on the oral health and unique needs of young people. After completing a four-year dental school curriculum, two to three additional years of rigorous training is required to become a pediatric dentist. This specialized program of study and hands-on experience prepares pediatric dentists to meet the unique needs of your infants, children and adolescents, including persons with special health care needs.


Preventing Tooth Decay


Four things are necessary for cavities to form: 1) a tooth; 2) bacteria; 3) sugars or other carbohydrates; and 4) time. We can share with you how to make teeth strong, keep bacteria from organizing into harmful colonies, develop healthy eating habits, and understand the role that time plays. Remember, dental decay is an infection of the tooth. Visiting us early can help avoid unnecessary cavities and dental treatment.

Importance of Primary Teeth (Baby Teeth)


It is very important that primary teeth are kept in place until they are \lost naturally. These teeth serve a number of critical functions. Primary teeth:

  • Maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly.
  • Are involved in speech development.
  • Help the permanent teeth by saving space for them. A healthy smile can help children feel good about the way they look to others.

Infants and Children


Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to teaching your child healthy lifetime habits. We want to share with you the latest available methods for keeping your child healthy and safe.
The first dental visit should occur shortly after the first tooth erupts and no later than the child’s first birthday. Beginning tooth and mouth examinations early may lead to detection of early stages of tooth decay that can be easily treated. At the first visit we will present:

  • A program of preventive home care including brushing, flossing, diet and the importance of fluorides.
  • A caries risk assessment.
  • Information about Early Childhood Caries, which may be due to inappropriate nursing habits or inappropriate use of sippy cups.
  • The latest facts about finger, thumb and pacifier habits.
  • What you need to know about preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth.
  • Information on growth and development.

Adolescents


Adolescents have special needs. Appearance and self-image are very important to them. Decayed or poorly positioned teeth or jaws might make them more self-conscious. Teens also eat frequently, and unhealthy snack foods tend to become a major part of their regular diet. We provide a professional, sensitive and caring approach to restoring and guiding teeth, and teaching preventive dental health care through the teen’s high school years. When necessary, we will provide information on sealants, oral piercing, wisdom teeth, missing teeth and tobacco use.

Young People With Special Needs

An integral part of our education is concerned with the medical and dental health of the special patient. People with significant medical, physical, or mental disabilities often present unique challenges to dentists. Our training allows us to address their special needs and provide the best care possible.

AAPD

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), with over 5,800 dedicated professionals, was founded in 1947 by men and women who are dedicated to improving the oral health of children. We emphasize a three-part approach to caring for the children of this country and the world:
1) Practice - treating children in the dental office, hospital, school-based clinics and mobile programs;
2) Teaching - educating parents, the public and other health professionals; training future pediatric dentists to deliver the best possible care for children; and
3) Research - working in laboratories, universities, and industry to develop even better methods of preventing oral diseases and treating problems of the teeth and gums. Together, the three components of the AAPD work for the benefit of your child.

Forms

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As a convenience & courtesy to our extended family & as an extra saftey measure during these unprecedented times Please print and bring in the appropriate forms required. Thank You!

Welcome Form 


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Screening Form


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Parental Release
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Contact Us

Contact us for your next visit!

Location:

341 Haddon Ave. Hadden Township, NJ 08108

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