About
Gramercy Kids Smiles, located at 200 E 15th St, New York, NY 10003, stands as New York City's premier pediatric dental practice, uniquely integrating oral health, speech, and airway development from infancy onward. Founded by Dr. Fatina Shtivelman, a board-certified pediatric dentist, the practice emerged from her personal journey as a mother facing breastfeeding challenges with her own son, which sparked a profound commitment to addressing lip and tongue ties early in a child's life. This pivotal experience inspired Dr. Fatina to pursue advanced training and create a holistic dental care model that goes far beyond traditional check-ups, evaluating not just teeth but tongue mobility, airway function, and speech readiness to foster long-term health and confidence.[1][2][6] Dr. Fatina's impressive educational background includes a D.D.S. from SUNY Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, a general practice residency at Staten Island University Hospital, and specialized pediatric dentistry training at Stony Brook University Hospital, where she served as chief resident. Her research focused on improving dental access for special needs populations, and she further honed her skills through a fellowship at Stony Brook treating medically complex patients under sedation and anesthesia. As a board-certified professional—the highest accolade in pediatric dentistry—Dr. Fatina brings unparalleled expertise to her Gramercy Park community, serving families in Kips Bay, East Village, Lenox Hills, and across Manhattan.[1][6]
The mission of Gramercy Kids Smiles is rooted in compassion, prevention, and education, treating every child as if they were their own. As parents themselves, Dr. Fatina and her partner Dr. Jason Berk emphasize personalized, unrushed visits in a fun, exciting environment designed to build lifelong healthy smile habits. Happy dental experiences are paramount, transforming potential anxiety into enthusiasm, as evidenced by glowing parent testimonials: one mother notes her shy six-year-old gets 'excited' for appointments, praising Dr. Fatina's patience and the friendly staff.[1][7] This philosophy extends to comprehensive services like advanced laser dentistry for lip and tongue ties, supporting breastfeeding, feeding, speech development, and orthodontic care. The practice collaborates with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and myofunctional specialists, offering a multidisciplinary approach unmatched in NYC—truly the city's only pediatric office blending these elements from day one.[2]
What sets Gramercy Kids Smiles apart is its preventative, educational focus and unique value proposition: empowering families with knowledge through custom worksheets, brushing tutorials, and tools like a tongue/lip tie assessment quiz. Unlike standard dental offices that address issues reactively, this practice intervenes early, preventing downstream problems in speech, breathing, and overall development. They cater to infants, children, adolescents, and special needs patients with gentle, high-quality care, complemented by an in-house affordable pediatric dental membership plan for accessible maintenance. The team enhances this excellence: Dr. Ani Merjian, with advanced training from Columbia University and chief residency at St. Barnabas Hospital, specializes in compassionate care for young patients; Vickie Sanchez, a registered dental hygienist from Hostos Community College, excels in pediatric hygiene and habit formation.[3]
Parents trust Gramercy Kids Smiles for its clinical excellence, personal touch, and results—straight teeth are just the start; it's about confident, healthy kids. Open extended hours Monday through Friday 9 AM-7 PM and Saturdays 8 AM-4 PM, with easy online booking or calls to 646-854-7752, the practice makes elite care convenient. In a bustling city like New York, where pediatric dentistry can feel impersonal, Gramercy Kids Smiles shines as the compassionate, innovative choice parents seek, delivering smiles that last a lifetime.[1][2][3][4][6] (Word count: 612)
