DFWChild Well Guide 2020 Tarrant County Edition

DFW T H E M A G A Z I N E PA R E N T S L I V E B Y I N TA R R A N T C O U N T Y

2020

THE WELL GUIDE

TRUSTWORTHY PRIMARY CARE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY.

Your neighborhood Methodist Family Health Center is nearby to keep your family healthy. Whether you need a routine checkup, immunization, school physical, or treatment for colds, cuts, sports injuries, or preventive care, our board-certified family medicine and pediatric doctors are equipped to provide top quality care. With more than 20 locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, our healing hands are conveniently close at hand. Trust. Methodist.

To find a location nearest you, go to MethodistHealthSystem.org/FamilyHealth.

Methodist Family Health Centers and Medical Groups are owned and operated by MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group and are staffed by independently practicing physicians who are employees of MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group. The physicians and staff who provide services at these sites are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals.

MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

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WELL GUIDE

Find health care providers recommended by local moms and dads, p. 9, 16, 24, 30

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14 Cover Illustration: Joy Gallagher

CONTENTS 5

Fast Facts / Moms & Babies Pregnancy and newborns, by the numbers

6

Wine Down?

Reassessing women’s drinking culture words Nicole Jordan / Additional Reporting Maya Butler

9

Mom Approved / Moms & Babies Readers’ favorite OB/GYNs and midwives

13 Fast Facts / Kids Health Tips and truths about your little’s well-being

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14

Matters of the Heart Hypertension in children words Carrie Steingruber + Leslie Chatman

16 Mom Approved / Pediatricians Readers’ top docs for kids 21

22

Fast Facts / Oral Health Bad habits, best foods and more

24

Mom Approved / Oral Health Readers’ recommendations for dentists and orthodontists

28 How Healthy Is Your Child?

Use this quiz to evaluate sleep, mental well-being and nutrition words Alex Mitchell Mortenson

Straighten Up Brace yourself: Orthodontic visits start earlier than you may think words Alexis Patterson

27 Fast Facts / Children’s Whole Health Info on body and mind wellness

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Mom Approved / Whole Health & Wellness Readers’ picks for counselors, therapists and alternative health

34 Making the List What it means to be Mom Approved

DFW

DFWChild’s The Well Guide is published annually by Lauren Publications, Inc. DFWChild’s The Well Guide is distributed free of charge, one copy per reader. Additional copies of DFWChild are available for $2 per copy at the offices of Lauren Publications, Inc. We reserve the right to edit, reject or comment editorially on all material contributed. We cannot be responsible for the return of any unsolicited material. DFWChild’s The Well Guide is ©2020 by Lauren Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission prohibited.

dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

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Lori Atkins, MD, FACOG Catherine Bevan, MD, FACOG Sunny Glenn, MD, FACOG Alicia Larsen, MD, FACOG Andrea Palmer, MD, FACOG Obstetrics & Gynecology 5x Mom-Approved FENOM Women’s Care is not just a practice in medicine, it is a practice in female humanity. We combine the finest general obstetrics and gynecology with care that extends beyond check-ups and physical wellness. Our all-female physician team offers real woman-to-woman insight in order to create a true continuum of health throughout the lives of our patients.

The OBGYN’s of FENOM are so proud to have been recognized as “Mom-Approved.” You Moms, you FENOMenal females—YOU are the reason why we do what we do. Our mission at FENOM is to take care of women throughout their lifespan, meeting them where they are every step of the way. We are committed to empowering women to take charge of their health through personalized care, insightful education and expert service.

We are passionate about our patients and strive as a team to be there for you in every capacity.

From the nervous time of preconception, to possible struggles with infertility, the uncertainty of pregnancy, labor, delivery, and tumultuous postpartum period—we are here for you through each step.

As a physician team, our commitment to the women we serve allows for the added benefit of consistency of care between physicians. Whenever a health need arises, we will be here for you. This includes our amazing clinic staff, a vital part of FENOM, and we thank them for taking such great care of our patients (and of us!). Together, we form a community of women who are empowered by a deeper understanding of their bodies and womanhood, and that is FENOMenal.

Recognition from our patients means the world to us, it lets us know you see us like we see you.

Thank you for being part of our FENOMenal family. #weareFENOM

Fenom Women’s Care

1250 8th Ave. Ste. 320, 322, Fort Worth, TX 76104 817-924-2111

Willow Park

134 El Chico Trail, Ste. 103, Willow Park, Tx 76087 817-441-1644

Girls To Women

4200 S. Hulen St., Ste. 450, Fort Worth, Tx 76109 817-524-1811 fenomhealth.com

MOMS & BABIES

fast facts about pregnancy and newborns C O M P I L E D B Y E M I LY Y E A R W O O D

BEST FOODS TO EAT WHILE BREASTFEEDING

EGGS

SOURCES: HEALTHLINE; TEXAS CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS; STATISTA; PYSCHOTHERAPY.COM; AMERICAN PREGNANCY ASSOCIATION; CASTLIGHT HEALTH

POTATOES

MEAT

DARK CHOCOLATE

TWIN BIRTHS ACCOUNTED FOR 3% OF ALL TEXAS BIRTHS IN 2015, WHILE OTHER MULTIPLES OCCURRED IN 0.1% OF ALL TEXAS BIRTHS

MALE CHILDREN BORN IN 2019 ARE EXPECTED TO LIVE TO THE YEAR

2095 WHILE FEMALE CHILDREN ARE EXPECTED TO LIVE TO

2099 Dallas has the

PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD LIMIT THEIR CAFFEINE INTAKE TO LESS THAN

200 MG PER DAY

12TH HIGHEST

average cost for routine vaginal deliveries in the United States

DURING PREGNANCY REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE LEVELS IN A WOMAN’S BODY ARE

20–30 TIMES HIGHER THAN USUAL

dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

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alcohol abstinence and “mommy needs a drink” are buzzy topics W O R D S N I C O L E J O R D A N / A D D I T I O N A L R E P O R T I N G M AYA B U T L E R

F

or mom of two Ashley Hall, each day is a blur of mealtimes, messy faces, dried-up tears and diaper changes. Like most stay-at-home moms, she finds the work rewarding, albeit exhausting. Hall—not her real name—loves spending time with her husband and her boys. She loves every first step and new word she’s able to witness. She loves being a mom. And she loves alcohol.

Not all (but most) days, Hall anxiously awaits bedtime, counting the hours until her standing date with the bottle in the fridge. “I can’t wait,” the Dallas mom says. “I’m just looking at the clock, waiting for them to go to bed so I can sit on the couch and have silence with a glass of wine.”

Hall says she doesn’t drink to excess and typically corks the bottle after a glass or two. (The current U.S. dietary guidelines define drinking “in moderation” as no more than one daily drink 6

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

for women.) The evening ritual is a welcome respite for Hall from the hectic yet monotonous world of motherhood. “You’re doing kid stuff all day,” Hall explains. “It’s the point where you feel like an adult. I feel like I’ve earned it after working hard during the day.”

The idea of wine, beer or vodka (or your drink of choice) as a reward is hardly novel. Hall is one of many moms who likes to imbibe at the end of a long day.

There are also moms who drink here and there—a glass to relax before the school pickup rush,

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WINE DOWN?

maybe another during a group playdate and one with dinner.

But as brands like Skinnygirl Cocktails and Mommy’s Time Out wine continue to cater to women, there’s something else brewing: the “sober curious” movement.

Dry January. Sober September. Alcohol-free bars.

Hashtags like #SoberCurious and #SoberIsSexy. They’re all the signs of moms (and others) taking a step back from alcohol. Some are not avoiding it completely but reassessing the circumstances in which they drink as well as how often.

Others are giving it up altogether.

Actress Anne Hathaway recently helped bring the idea into the mainstream. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres last year, Hathaway said she decided to stop drinking as long as her son (who will turn 4 this year and has since gained a sibling) lives at home.

“I don’t totally love the way I [drink], and he’s getting to an age where he really does need me all the time in the morning,” Hathaway explained. “I did one school run one day where I dropped him off at school—I wasn’t driving, but I was hung over, and that was enough for me.”

Research shows Hathaway isn’t alone in her desire for a more sober lifestyle. A 2019 Nielsen study showed that almost half of adults are trying to cut back on alcohol. Among millennials, that figure is 66%. In 2018, author Ruby Warrington published Sober Curious, the book that popularized the term. The subtitle (The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting All of Us on the Other Side of Alcohol) makes clear why Warrington believes people could benefit from examining their relationship with alcohol.

Her book posits that cutting back on drinking “is the next logical step in the wellness revolution.” But the “Cocktail Moms” culture is a hard one to change. A new crop of moms is using “playdate” as a sort of code word for happy hour, drinking at neighborhood parks and during Little League games, reaching for an afternoon cocktail (and then another and another) to take the

edge off of a rough day.

“It’s a bigger epidemic than people think,” says Avery Rowles, clinical director at the Santé Center for Healing in Argyle. “These are well-educated women. These aren’t mal-intentioned women or career drinkers. It’s part of new identity as a cool, hip mom.”

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THE NEW NORMAL

“We’ve seen the trend, definitely,” says Robb Kelly of the Robb Kelly Recovery Group in Dallas, though he is reluctant to use the word “epidemic.”

Even as abstaining from alcohol becomes more discussed in popular culture, Kelly saw an increase in patients who are moms over the last 12 months (from 14 percent to 28 percent of all patients).

Alcohol use and misuse are on the rise among women across the country. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) says that in 2018, around 5.3 million women met the criteria for alcohol use disorder. Between 2006 and 2014, there was a 47% increase in the rate of alcohol-related emergency department visits, with the increases bigger for women than for men. And from 2000 to 2016, there was a 10% increase in the prevalence of drinking for women—and a 23% increase in binge drinking. Those rates did not change for men.

For all strides in equality, alcohol has different effects on women compared to men.

Even when consuming the same amount, women have more alcohol in their bloodstreams and are affected more quickly and for a longer period of time.

The CDC notes that because of those differences, women are more likely to experience health problems from drinking compared to men. Excessive drinking can lead to cirrhosis and other alcohol-related liver diseases, memory loss and brain shrinkage, heart muscle damage and cancer.

It’s not just a long-term concern, obviously; the consequences of intoxication can be immediate and horrific. Just a few months ago, a Texas mom was charged with the murder of her 3-year-old son after police

say she crashed her car while driving drunk. Her 8-year-old broke his leg in the wreck.

Most of the women we’re talking about won’t be arrested (though you’ll meet a local mom who was later in this story). For the majority of these mothers, acquaintances and coworkers might never know about their habit. They’re the vice president of their company. The school volunteer. The woman whose life you admire on Instagram. They have one thing in common: They like to drink frequently and, in some cases, heavily.

But why?

IN SEARCH OF SOMETHING

“It’s to de-stress,” Hall says of her drinking. “Things are going 100 mph. Even if I just sit, it doesn’t calm me. It’s either this, or … I guess there is no ‘or.’”

She’s certainly not alone.

Kelly says stress is among the top reasons he sees moms drink frequently or heavily; he also identifies trauma and divorce as major factors. For other moms, drinking is a way to remember who they were before they answered to “Mommy.”

And, Rowles says, it’s a way for mothers to connect. “They’re finding companionship in it,” she explains. “Camaraderie.”

Admittedly, it all seems fairly innocuous.

Moms we interviewed say they’re conscious of the impact their alcohol use will have on their children, so they imbibe cautiously, rarely drinking in front of their kids, and never driving while intoxicated. Hall’s family history (which includes relatives who have struggled with alcoholism) makes her particularly careful.

“I know it could be a problem if I let it,” she says.

Experts are the first to admit that alcohol can be enjoyed moderately and responsibly by some (key word: some). And while most agree one or two

glasses of wine with dinner a few days a week probably isn’t cause for concern, trouble can ensue for those whose drinking increases. “It’s gradual,” Rowles says of alcoholism’s progression.

Increased tolerance and a preoccupation with where your next drink will come from are telltale signs of problem drinking, but there are other indications that something is awry. “If you’re in touch with yourself, you’ll start seeing some changes,” Rowles says, outlining these signs: • Your priorities will change.

• You might notice a change in your mood.

• You might become

more depressed.

• You might start comparing yourself to others more and liking yourself less.

• You might stop doing things you once enjoyed.

“If you’re unfortunate enough to be alcoholic,” Rowles adds, “once you start drinking, you’re not going to want to stop.

Eventually you’re going to cross a line, and it’ll take over your life.”

LOSING CONTROL

While the “sober curious” movement has drawn some praise, others worry the attention comes with a misleading implication: that getting sober is as easy as posting a picture of yourself on social media with a mocktail in hand. The Guardian quotes Sober Curious author Warrington: “Talking about sobriety as a trend is not OK. The point of sober curious is to differentiate between those of us who have the privilege to be sober curious and perhaps dabble [in alcohol] here and there, and those for whom drinking and alcohol is a mortal danger.”

A local mom we’ll call Angela Morris knows all about that.

“It’s a very dangerous dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

7

WINE DOWN?

drug,” she says. “It crosses all socioeconomic boundaries. I lost my job, my home and my freedom. I lost my child for two months. I let myself and my family down.”

Morris is a mom of two. She also is a recovering alcoholic. For years, she repeated a vicious cycle of sobriety followed by relapse— but when she was pulled over for drunk driving with her son in the backseat, she hit a new low.

Morris didn’t remember putting the key in the ignition, let alone strapping her son, then 9 months, into his car seat.

“We all think, ‘These things won’t happen to me,’” she says. “‘Well, this is an alarming story, but it doesn’t apply to me.’ I was one of those people.”

Morris grew up in a middleclass family, by all outward appearances the vision of suburban bliss. But Morris says no one knew about her father’s alcoholism. Alcohol was a fixture in the family’s home, making it easy for Morris to experiment as a kid—but she says it was when she reached adulthood that things began to spiral out of control. A few drinks on Friday and Saturday quickly turned into many drinks all day, every day.

She shudders to think of what could have happened had state troopers not picked her up while she drove under the influence with her son. After spending two months in county jail, Morris sought treatment at Dallas’ Nexus Recovery Center, a rehabilitation facility that specializes in substance abuse services for women.

Morris has come to believe parenting is something that should be done stone-cold sober.

“Playdates and ‘mommy and me’ time—alcohol should have no place in that,” she says.

“Alcohol and raising children really don’t mix.”

CHILDREN SEE, CHILDREN DO

The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) says 1 in 4 children is impacted by a parent abusing alcohol or drugs, and the consequences for these children are heavy: anxiety and depression, mental, physical and behavioral problems and 8

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

poor academic performance.

But even children who grow up in households where alcohol has a more subtle presence— perhaps they know wine as “Mommy’s juice” but not as an overt problem—can face negative outcomes.

For one, kids are perceptive, and if you’ve had too much to drink, they know. “They might not be able to say what’s changed, but they know something happened,” says Natalie Baerwaldt, former children services director at Nexus

find help Losing control or neglecting responsibilites because of drinking can be signs of an alcohol problem. Here are local resources to get you on the road to recovery.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Fort Worth area; 817/332-3533 fortworthaa.org National aa.org Arise Recovery Centers Multiple locations; 877/738-6350 ariserecoverycenters.com The Right Step Euless; 844/768-1079 rightstep.com Riverwalk Ranch Mansfield; 877/863-3869 riverwalkranch.com Robb Kelly Recovery Group Dallas; 214/600-0210 robbkelly.com Santé Center for Healing Argyle; 866/238-3154 santecenter.com Recovery Resource Council Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton; 214/522-8600 or 800/246-HOPE (4673) dallascouncil.org

Recovery Center. “I’ve had 4-yearolds say, ‘Mommy goes into the bathroom and she comes out and she’s different.’”

Kids are also sensitive, and as drinking by a parent escalates, they often begin to feel as if they’re playing second fiddle to alcohol. According to Rowles, kids pick up on the fact that Mom (or Dad) has temporarily checked out and “begin to internalize that they’re a burden,” even if they can’t put their feelings into words.

Above all else, kids are easily influenced. Research shows that parental drinking habits influence the choices of children, both the extent of their drinking and the age at which they choose to start. Children who grow up seeing Mom and Dad drink regularly and heavily are more likely to binge-drink as teenagers and to try alcohol at an early age, and children of alcoholics are four times more likely than children of non-alcoholics to develop their own addiction, according to NACoA. IT’S JUST ALCOHOL

As a parent, Rowles says she understands the feelings that drive so many women to drink.

Motherhood, wonderful as it is, can be an isolating experience riddled with feelings of anxiety and inadequacy. As a concept, the “Mommy needs a drink” movement is meant to relieve mothers of these pressures.

But some say the promotion of alcohol—as an escape or coping mechanism, or something deserved as a reward for a long day—is problematic at best.

It’s too early to determine the true social impact of the “sober curious” push. But as women who decide to abstain from alcohol talk about that choice, moms concerned about the impact of their drinking may feel empowered to take similar action.

And that’s a choice that should be based on an objective evaluation of your drinking.

“Look at the big picture of your life. … It’s just alcohol. In and of itself, a glass of wine is just a glass of wine,” says Rowles.

“When it becomes a focus and takes up more time than it should, there’s an issue.”

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Mom Approved

MOMS & BABIES mom approved midwives and OBGYNs COMPILED BY DFWCHILD EDITORS

MIDWIVES

ALVARADO

Miller, Mollie LM, LMT The Birthing Sweet Birth Center

ARLINGTON

Stricker, Bethany LM Bethany Stricker Midwifery Care at Birth & Wellness Center of Arlington

CLEBURNE

Juve, Jennifer MSN, CNM Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology Martin, Anesha LM, CPM Edenway Birth Center, LLC Pestrue, Kayce LM, CPM Edenway Birth Center, LLC Schwartz, Rosetta LM, CPM Edenway Birth Center, LLC

FORT WORTH

Alpha, Meagan MSN, CNM Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center DaSilva, Shannon DNP, CNM Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center Diamond, Hannah CNM Acclaim Nurse-Midwives “Hannah is always happy, compassionate and really good at her job. Hannah is very dedicated to her patients.”

—Jackelin, Fort Worth See ad on page 33.

Donaldson, Kathleen CNM Acclaim Nurse-Midwives “Kathleen is so sweet, gentle and patient. She takes time to get to know you on a personal level. I was only 16 when I delivered my first child, and she was there supporting me the whole way with encouraging words, emotional support and excitement. When my baby boy was born, it was like we were all family celebrating his birth! It was such a remarkable moment.”

—Faith, Weatherford See ad on page 33.

Goble, Lissa DNP, CNM Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center Hackler, Dana CNM Fort Worth Birthing & Wellness Center Hicks, Candis CNM Acclaim Nurse-Midwives “Candis Hicks goes above and beyond!

She is amazing to her patients and co-

workers. She takes her time with each patient she interacts with. The Acclaim midwives are all amazing!”

—Juli, Burleson See ad on page 33.

Hinton, Jamie CPM, LM Celebrate Birth Midwifery Services

make sure you are truly HELPED.” —Miranda, Fort Worth See ad on page 33.

Stanton, Ashley LM Fort Worth Midwifery Trahan, Crystal CNM Her Complete Healthcare

Hopkins, Katherine CNM Acclaim Nurse-Midwives “Katie is a wonderful, caring person.

From the beginning of my care with my first child till now with my second, she has been wonderful. Her fast responses and knowledge of midwifery saved my baby boy’s life in a situation no one expected. We love you, Katie!”

–Sara, Fort Worth See ad on page 33.

GRAPEVINE

Martin, Christy CPM, LM Celebrate Birth Midwifery Services

HURST

Morrow, Sarah CNM Acclaim Nurse-Midwives “She shows her true passion with patients and is very nonjudgmental. Her laughter and humor make it easier to confide my medical issues with her.”

—Cindy, Fort Worth See ad on page 33.

Fruga, Teree LM, CPM My Sister’s Keeper Birth & Midwifery Services at Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center

Okimoto, Summer CNM Acclaim Nurse-Midwives “Summer was amazing during the birth of my daughter. She allowed me to call the shots for my own labor. I got to say when I was ready to push; that was so empowering for me. My daughter was born with the cord wrapped around her neck several times and blue. Summer unraveled the cord quickly when her head was out, without ever saying a word to me. She let me focus on pushing and just getting her out without worrying me. She was excited with me and encouraged me the whole way.”

—Ashley, Mineral Wells See ad on page 33.

Cannon, Lynette CPM, LM Grapevine Birthing Center Daly, Kimberly CPM, LM Grapevine Birthing Center Hogan, Danielle CPM, LM Grapevine Birthing Center Jones, Sarah CPM, LM Grapevine Birthing Center Davis, Hannah CPM, LM Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center

Gaspard, Cheryl West CPM, LM Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center Gray, Malloree CPM Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center Massey, Michele CPM, LM Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center Miller, Donna CPM, LM Gentle Beginnings Birth & Wellness Center

KELLER

Friesen, Angela CPM, LM Origins Birth & Wellness Collective Legrand, Justine CPM, LM Origins Birth & Wellness Collective

Perez, Katie LM, CPM Wonderfully Made Midwifery

Thomson, Gina CPM, LM Origins Birth & Wellness Collective

Reno, Monica CNM Acclaim Nurse-Midwives “She TRULY cares about the patient.

She is a class of her own. She doesn’t just throw a Band-Aid over your issue; she wants to get to the root cause and

Wages, Kaitlyn CPM, LM Origins Birth & Wellness Collective

WEATHERFORD

Prouty, Amanda CPM, LM Beautiful Beginnings Midwifery dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

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SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

MOM APPROVED / MOMS & BABIES

Watkins, Kim LM A Blessed Birth Midwifery

Wood, Beverly MD Generations OB/GYN Group, P.A.

OB/GYNS

BURLESON

ARLINGTON

Atkins, Baron MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Arlington North Cane, Michael MD Family Healthcare Associates Gordon, Kevin MD, FACOG Omega Ob-Gyn Gorski, Timothy MD FACOG Timothy N. Gorski MD FACOG Krum, Theodore MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Arlington North Luck, Mindy MD, FACOG Omega Ob-Gyn Moseley, Karan MD Texas Health Arlington Memorial Niemand, Noelle MD Matlock OBGYN Nangrani, Kiran DO, FACOG Women’s Health Services Oladell, Charmaine MD, FACOG Omega Ob-Gyn Patel, Meera DO USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Arlington South Peppler, Dawnette MD, FACOG Women’s Health Services Pickel, Stephanie MD, FACOG Omega Ob-Gyn Puffer, Sheri MD Women’s Health Services Seligman, Steven MD, FACOG Omega Ob-Gyn

a different OB/GYN.” —Lindsey, Burleson See ad on page 11.

Bowyer, Darrell MD Dr. Darrell Bowyer, MD

Butler, Stacy DM Women’s Health Medical Group

Chellappan, Chandra MD Huguley Medical Associates, Miracle OBGYN “Dr. Chellappan is an amazing woman. She listens to your concerns and exhibits the utmost care when helping you work through them. We just love her.”

—Jennifer, Burleson See ad on page 17.

Carnevale, Kristina MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Alliance

Duran, Donna MD Donna M. Duran M.D.

CLEBURNE

Carrington, Frederick MD Women’s Health Medical Group Chu, Khoi Ba MD Acclaim Women’s Health “Dr. Khoi Chu is fantastic! Always thorough and very knowledgeable. He is a wonderful OB/GYN!” –Desiree, Fort Worth See ad on page 33.

Anderson, Aiyanna MD Obstetrix Medical Group of Texas

Combs, Shanna Marie MD Acclaim Women’s Group “Dr. Combs is very personable and relatable. I had the best pregnancy and delivery thanks to Dr. Combs!”

—Holly, Fort Worth See ad on page 33.

Arnold, Laura DO Her OB/GYN

Deem, Adrianne MD Women’s Health Medical Group

Arraut, Amaryllis MD Obstetrix Medical Group of Texas

English, Cynthia DO Fort Worth Obstetrics & Gynecology

Atkins, Lori MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care “Dr. Atkins was amazing when I was pregnant with my twins. I had so many fears about preterm labor. She put my mind at ease at each and every visit. She never once considered sending me to a high-risk OB. She is that great at what she does that she handled my entire pregnancy and delivery. Because of her, I made it to 36 weeks and 2 days with no NICU stay and healthy babies.”

—Stephanie, Fort Worth See ad on page 4.

Erwin, Jamie MD VIVI Women’s Health “Dr. Erwin has been an amazing physician and friend throughout my high-risk pregnancy. She has been a compassionate and calming presence and has gone above and beyond to provide me and my family with the best care possible.

She is capable and intelligent, but she is also warm, friendly and present with each interaction. I would encourage my friends, sisters and loved ones to choose her as their doctor and trust her above all others! She truly is the best around, and I’m so grateful for her!”

—Katelyn, Fort Worth See ad on page 11.

Glover, Michael Timothy DO Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology

FORT WORTH

Bernstein, Linda MD Her Complete Healthcare

Firouzbakht, Noushin MD, PA Dr. Noushin Firouzbakht

Gordon, Charles DO Charles K. Gordon, D.O.

Bevan, Catherine MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care “Dr. Bevan is always so sweet every time I see her. She’s very caring and understanding about any questions or concerns that I have. If I want to try something different than what she recommends, then she gives me advice based on what I want and never makes me feel pressured or wrong for wanting something different. I’ve referred other friends to her, and they love her.”

—Samantha, Fort Worth See ad on page 4.

Parikh, Manisha MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Mid-Cities OB/GYN

Bradford, Laura MD Eighth Avenue Obstetrics & Gynecology

Safely, Charles MD Charles Safely OBGYN

Burkett, Danielle DO VIVI Women’s Health “Dr. Burkett takes her time with patients and makes sure you are given the best possible care. She has been the doctor for both of my pregnancies (one of which had complications), and made me and my husband feel safe and informed. I can’t imagine going to

Glenn, Sunny MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care “Dr. Glenn is amazing! She seems to truly care about her patients. Every appointment I have with her reminds me why she is my doctor and makes me so thankful that I’ve found her. She takes the time to answer all questions, have small talk and make sure you have a full understanding of what’s discussed. She has never rushed an appointment and always put my concerns at the focus!

She shared in the joy of us bringing our

Udell, Kimberly DO Dr. Kimberly Udell, OB/GYN

BEDFORD

Cipriano, Gilda MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Mid-Cities OB/GYN Emmet, Emily MD The Woman’s Group

Taylor, Stephanie MD The Woman’s Group Vallery, Kristen MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Mid-Cities OB/GYN 10

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

Garda, Jacqueline DO Acclaim Women’s Health “Dr. Garda is the most skilled OB/GYN I’ve ever met, on top of being so kind and personable with her patients. During my rough delivery, Dr. Garda made me feel so safe and calm and took such incredible care of my son and me. She is so proficient and has an incredible bedside manner.”

—Valerie, Saginaw See ad on page 33.

The doctors who know v.

We’re Vivi. A group of doctors who are smart, knowledgeable, compassionate, and absolutely full of life. We believe in the power of connection—forging friendships while delivering the highest level of care possible. Our female-led practice welcomes you with open arms (and hearts), and treats you with respect and dignity, no matter what you’re facing. Because today’s incomparable women deserve truly incomparable care.

WOMEN’S HEALTH | GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS

vivifw.com

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

MOM APPROVED / MOMS & BABIES

first baby into our family, and I trust her with my life! Highly recommend.”

—Kymberly, North Richland Hills See ad on page 4.

Neville, Heather MD Eighth Avenue Obstetrics & Gynecology

Jones, Timothy C DO Fort Worth Obstetrics & Gynecology

O’Toole, Patricia DO USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Alliance

Kohlmorgen, Ingrid MD Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology Kolar, Donna MD Fort Worth Woman’s Clinic Kutzler, Beatrice MD Beatrice Kutzler, MD Hardick, Leslie DO Leslie C. Hardick Hardt, Pattyann MD Eighth Avenue Obstetrics & Gynecology Herd, James MD Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology Hoang, Christine MD Acclaim Women’s Group “She has a great bedside manner and takes time to answer all my questions.

Made my pregnancy care feel special.”

—Morgan, Fort Worth See ad on page 33.

Hoffman, Gerry Michael MD Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology

Palmer, Andrea MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care “Dr. Palmer is very professional, but also kind. I appreciate the time she takes to chat with me a bit at most appointments about unrelated matters. I appreciate the short wait times at her office.

She is also respectful and supportive of my wishes for a natural birth.”

—Leigh, North Richland Hills See ad on page 4.

New, Troy MD Grapevine OBGYN

Robbins, Cynthia MD Eighth Avenue Obstetrics & Gynecology

Wai, Robert MD Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Texas

Smith, Mark MD Mark D. Smith M.D.

KELLER

Snead, Jonathan MD, FACOG Alliance Women’s Healthcare “Dr. Snead and his staff truly care about their people and have their best interest at heart. They are amazing!”

—Kelli, Keller See ad on page 19.

Irwin, Peter James MD Peter Irwin, MD

Tate, Darren MD Fort Worth Female Health Associates

Lagomichos, Melanie DO Premier Obstetrics & Gynecology

Tse, Gladys MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Alliance

12

Moser, Doreen DO, FACOG Doreen A. Moser, D.O FACOG

Rost, Timothy MD Grapevine OBGYN

Suba, Steven MD Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology

Moore, Demequa MD Acclaim Women’s Health “Very professional, made me very comfortable throughout my first pregnancy.

Answered any question I had.”

—Briana, Arlington See ad on page 33.

Morris, Carrie MD Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Texas

Rainer, Drew MD Women’s Health Medical Group

Howell, Robert Michael MD Women’s Health Medical Group

Manning, Madeline DO Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology

Marshall, Kimberly MD Grapevine OBGYN

Robert, Rebecca MD Trilogy Women’s Health

Snell-Hargrove, Dana DO My Ob/Gyn

Maas, Emily MD VIVI Women’s Health “What makes Dr. Maas exceptional is she really knows how to make her patients feel comfortable and welcome. She also takes the time to really get to know her patients on a personal level as well.”

—Alexis, Fort Worth See ad on page 11.

Lieser, Sofia MD Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Texas

Pico, Alyson DO Grace Obstetrics & Gynecology

Hooper, Mickey DO Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology

Larsen, Alicia MD, FACOG Fenom Women’s Care “Dr. Larsen makes all of your visits comfortable. She is easy to talk to and a great listener. She delivered my son and made it a great experience.”

—Chelsee, Watauga See ad on page 4.

Kindrick, Wendy DO Women’s Integrated Healthcare

Wagner, Elisabeth DO Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology Walters, Courtney MD Women’s Integrated Healthcare Webster, Barbara DO Her OB/GYN White, Michael A. MD North Texas Women’s Healthcare Associates Wiley, Ruth DO Eighth Avenue Obstetrics & Gynecology Zwernemann, Robert MD Texas Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology

GRAPEVINE

Gagnon, Maurice MD North Texas Women’s Healthcare Associates

LAKE WORTH

Speaks, Lynn DO USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Lake Worth

MANSFIELD

Daum, Paul MD Mansfield Miracles Kollar, Carolyn DO Premier Women’s Health Krombach, Robert Stephen MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Mansfield Havener, Heather Jarrell MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Mansfield Misamore, Kimberly MD Women’s Health of Mansfield Moore, Natalie MD, FACOG USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas – Mansfield Northrop, Sara DO Women’s Care Associates Paul, Jason MD Jason P Brown MD “Very attentive to his patients. Has the best bedside manner. Provides excellent and quality care. He is an amazing doctor in every way. Excellent surgeon!”

— Lindsey, Mansfield See ad on page 2.

Chen, Barbara Kuo-Yu MD Heritage Women’s Health

Pearce, Jessica DO Women’s Care Associates

Flowers, Julia MD Obstetrics & Gynecology of North Texas

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

LaStrap, Rhodesia DO Rhodesia N. LaStrap, DO

KIDS HEALTH

fast facts about your little’s well-being COMPILED BY EMILY YEARWOOD

MOST COMMON FO O D A L L E RG I E S I N C H I L D R E N :

MILK

PEANUTS

SORE THROAT?

SOURCES: NATIONWIDE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL; NEMOURS KIDSHEALTH; JOHNS HOPKINS MEDICINE; FOOD ALLERGY RESEARCH & EDUCATION (FARE); AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEDIATRICS; CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

EGGS

Pediatricians recommend waiting until your baby is at least 12 months old before introducing honey.

SOY

HOW SICK IS TOO SICK?

FOREARM FRACTURES ARE THE

MOST COMMON F R A C T U R E S

40%

I N

C H I L D R E N

MORE THAN

OF KIDS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION

IF YOUR CHILD FEELS TOO SICK TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES OR REQUIRES EXTRA CARE, IT’S BEST TO KEEP THEM HOME.

88.3%

OF CHILDREN

ages 5–11 are in “excellent” or “very good” health dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

13

MATTERS OF THE HEART

The lowdown on high blood pressure in kids C A R R I E

H

STEINGRUBER + LESLIE CHATMAN

ypertension is a word you expect to hear at your mother or grandmother’s yearly physical—not your fourth-grader’s. But since the late ’80s, there’s been a growing number of pediatric hypertension cases, enough that in recent years the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated guidelines for detecting and treating high blood pressure in kids.

14

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

©ISTOCK

WORDS

©ISTOCK

The AAP states that 3.6% of children ages 3–18 have hypertension. That’s more prevalent than past studies indicated.

“Elevated blood pressure in children often goes undetected,” says pediatrician Dr. Stormee Williams, vice president and medical director of Network Development and Innovation at Children’s Health. “This is partially why the American Academy of Pediatrics’ clinical guidelines for addressing pediatric hypertension were updated.”

The scary part?

Hypertension, ominously known as the “silent killer,” has serious health ramifications.

Undiagnosed cases in childhood can result in progressive health complications, like organ damage and cardiovascular disease.

But because high blood pressure is “silent,” there are no obvious signs or symptoms to set off a parent’s warning alarm, explains Dr. Deborah Schutte, medical director of cardiology at Cook Children’s.

Consequently parents have to rely on blood pressure tests at the doctor’s office to catch a number that’s too high.

Even when kids notch several high blood pressure readings, they may not get diagnosed.

A 2016 study funded by the National Institutes of Health found that three-quarters of kids with repeated high blood pressure readings went undiagnosed—and therefore untreated.

The old pediatric blood pressure screening tables were difficult for doctors to navigate. The AAP designed the revised guidelines in order to help kids get the treatment they need. But why is it needed in the first place?

WEIGHT UP “For most infants and young children, hypertension is most likely secondary to an underlying disease often involving the kidneys or cardiovascular systems,”

Williams explains. Studies have shown that sleep disorders and premature birth can also trigger high blood pressure.

For kids who’ve reached puberty (say, mid- to lateelementary years), high blood pressure is usually the primary problem, due to genetics, poor diet, inactivity or environmental factors.

But weight is a major factor. “Obesity in this country has increased tremendously over the past two decades,” Williams says.

The prevalence of high blood pressure leaps significantly higher among kids in this category.

The connection between obesity and high blood pressure is one reason the AAP made some changes to its blood pressure screening tables, which provide normal blood pressure levels based on age, height and sex. The previous tables factored in measurements from kids who are overweight or obese; the updated tables are based on normalweight children.

As a result, the threshold for what’s considered elevated blood pressure was lowered, meaning more kids—overweight and normalweight both—are likely to get flagged for high numbers.

And, should kids register on the high side, the revised guidelines recommend ambulatory monitoring—taking blood pressure readings over a 24-hour period while the child goes about her day, instead of relying only on the reading from the clinic.

This will help clear the kiddos whose blood pressure spikes because of doctor’s office anxiety.

CHECKUP The AAP guidelines make it easier to evaluate, diagnose and treat high blood pressure, but all of it is for naught if your child’s blood pressure isn’t tested regularly.

“Because there are no symptoms of hypertension, the key is screening at well-child checks,”

Schutte says. She points out that for kids 3 and older, the AAP says blood pressure should be checked at least annually. And since conditions like diabetes and high cholesterol can go hand in hand with high blood pressure, those routine health checks are even more important.

Since genetic risk factors can predispose kids to hypertension, talk about your family history with your pediatrician, Williams says.

If needed, the doctor may prescribe lifestyle changes or medication to get your child’s numbers back on track—a small price to pay for a healthier heart down the road.

go low If your child’s blood sugar is on the high side, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends changing some of your kid’s habits—or what you pack in school lunches: Get Active: Any type of exercise can help lower blood pressure, but the AAP recommends 30–60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity three to five days a week.

Skip The Sugar: Focus on fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, whole grains, nuts, fish, poultry and lean red meats. Limit sugar and sodium—that means choosing water over sodas and sports drinks.

Stress Less, Sleep More: Kids who get seven hours of sleep or less per night are at greater risk for hypertension, and lowquality sleep has been associated with high blood pressure. Enforce bedtime routines and practice deep breathing exercises together before bed to reduce stress and help your child sleep better.

After all, studies suggest that meditative breathing and even yoga can lower blood pressure too.

dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

15

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Mom Approved

KIDS HEALTH mom approved pediatricians COMPILED BY DFWCHILD EDITORS

PEDIATRICIANS

ARLINGTON

Anwar, Kashif MD Kashif Anwar, MD

Davidson, Randy MD Arlington Pediatrics Leon, Walter MD Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital

COPPELL

Venkatachalam, Vani MD MD Pediatrics “Dr. Vani is an excellent physician. Her diagnosis is spot on, and she does not prescribe unnecessary medications. She also suggests holistic home remedies.”

—Umashree, Carrollton See ad on page 19.

EULESS

Moayyad, Edward MD Kids Doc Pediatrics

Nnamani, Ijeoma MD, FAAP Ivy Children’s Clinic

Nussbaum, Sherry MD Sherry Nussbaum, MD

Valdes Roque, Ana MD Loving Care Pediatrics

Raine, Wilfred MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics “I understand why Dr. Wilfred is so well known and has excellent reviews. Not only does he have excellent education, he has that special touch one must have when working with children. He is kind, very personable and extremely friendly.”

—Olga, Arlington See ad on back cover.

FLOWER MOUND

BEDFORD

Jackson, Sharon MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics “She is always friendly. When she comes in, she talks to the kids and the parents.

She truly listens to what is being said by both. Since we started going to her clinic, my children don’t worry when I tell them we’re going to see the doctor.

Even the staff and PA are amazing.”

—Carmalea, Irving See ad on back cover.

Leung, Christina MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics “We are so lucky to have her watch over our little one. She is so thorough with her examinations and explanations, very kind and patient with our talkative 10-year-old and uses common sense as well as thoughtfulness when recommending care. She really takes her time, and you can see how much she is taking in and considering before making any decisions.”

—Chai-Ming, Grapevine See ad on back cover.

BURLESON

Baird, Tiffany MD Huguley Medical Associates

Vert, Deborah DO Cook Children’s Pediatrics “We love Dr. Vert! We switched from another doctor after waiting in the waiting room for two hours with a 4-day-old.

Wait times are never long, and she is always patient with us. She really listens to my concerns about my children and addresses every one of them.”

—Samantha, Joshua See ad on back cover.

16

Fitzgerald, Ralph MD MD Pediatric Associates “Dr. Fitzgerald truly cares for his patients. He is so kind and patient with all of the children that come to see him.“ —Lauren, Flower Mound See ad on page 19.

Forbes, Michelle MD MD Pediatric Associates “I am a new mom, and Dr. Forbes was very helpful and answered every question I had. She takes time with her patients and was good with my son.”

—Emily, Carrollton See ad on page 19.

FORT WORTH

Arnaout, Diane MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Forest Park

Brennan, Mary MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Cityview “Always professional, takes her time with our children and thoroughly answers any questions we have. Anytime we need to make an unexpected visit, we are fit in without waiting hours! Best pediatrician, in my book!”

—Veronica, Cleburne See ad on back cover.

Charette, Vanessa MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Magnolia Dr. Charette is an angel in human form!

“She was so wonderful with our infant from the moment we met her. She answers all our questions so thoroughly, takes her time with our son and is easy to get in touch with when first-timeparent paranoia sets in outside office hours. We absolutely love her.”

—Valerie, Saginaw See ad on back cover.

Gronberg, Michael MD Alliance Pediatrics

Jones, Mark MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics, Fort Worth – Henderson

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

“Dr. Jones talks through each diagnosis with you from every angle and does what is best for the child and the family. We have gone to him for 12 years, and he is an excellent and very professional pediatrician.”

—Erica, Arlington See ad on back cover.

Kinloch, Ramon MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Forest Park “We LOVE Dr. Kinloch. He’s intelligent and thorough—but, most importantly, he sincerely cares about his patients.

As first-time parents, we’ve had a lot of questions. He always sits with us and talks through each question. I’ve never felt rushed or like my child was just another patient to him.”

—Ann Marie, Benbrook See ad on back cover.

Klein, Katherine MD Alliance Pediatrics

Mandal, Kathryn MD, FAAP Continuum Pediatrics “Dr. Mandal is kind, caring and compassionate. She spends time with her patients and cares about what you, as a parent, have to say. She is easy to make an appointment with, and everyone in her office is so friendly, just like her. We are thankful we found her as a pediatrician. I highly recommend her and her practice. She’s the best!”

—Jennifer, Keller See ad on page 31.

Martin, Bruce MD Alliance Pediatrics Matches, Sarah DO UNT Pediatrics

McGehee, Frank MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Magnolia “Dr. McGehee is the best doctor I have ever met. Both of my babies absolutely adore him. He is personable and genuinely cares about not only your babies but the parents too. He takes time to see how the whole family is doing and sits and just talks to you. He never rushes an appointment and makes sure you completely understand what is going on with your child.”

—Jenna, Burleson See ad on back cover.

Mercer, Bradley MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Forest Park “Dr. Mercer is wonderful! He’s calming to anxious kids and is a great listener.

He approaches parental concerns over childhood issues with compassion and works hard to find a solution that is agreeable to both parents and child.”

—Mary, Burleson See ad on back cover.

Easy Online Booking

Most Insurances Accepted

All Ages Treated

2421 W 7th St Suite 205, Fort Worth, TX 76107 (817) 439-7662 I sonaskin.com dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

17

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

M O M A P P R O V E D / K I D S H E A LT H

Morrow, Julee MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Southwest Harris Parkway “The best doctor! She has such a way with kids and parents. So sweet and understanding.”

—Morgan, Arlington See ad on back cover.

Natterer, Ann MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Cityview “Dr. Natterer is a kind person. She goes above and beyond to treat all her patients with love and respect. Would recommend her to all my friends and family!”

—Victoria, Joshua See ad on back cover.

Olvera, Rebecca MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Southwest “Dr. Olvera is the most patient physician I have come across. She listens and responds with thought and care to every question. Most of all, she never appears rushed and doesn’t have a long wait.

She spends as much time as needed with each patient. She is truly amazing.”

—Wendy, Benbrook See ad on back cover.

Phillips, Alice MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Cityview “Dr. Phillips is a blessing. From day one, she listens to every concern wholeheartedly and pays attention to every detail. She responds well to my overprotective, ‘better safe than sorry’ demeanor. She is never in a rush and always takes time to explain what she is doing and the ‘why’ behind it.”

—Cassandra, Fort Worth See ad on back cover.

Pradhan, Monica MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Henderson “Dr. Pradhan is the most thorough, gentle, kind and patient pediatrician.

She knows how to console and comfort kids as well as thoroughly assess.

I switched pediatricians to her after I was berated for my lifestyle choice.

Even if she disagrees with your opinion, she offers the best medical advice.”

—Abby, Keller See ad on back cover.

Rafati, Joyce MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Magnolia “Dr. Rafati cares for both of my children. She never hesitates to make recommendations to specialists out of an abundance of caution for their health. She knows that you can never be too careful about your children and makes sure you have all the info and resources needed to ensure good health for them.”

—Angie, Fort Worth See ad on back cover.

Varghese, Sandy MD Cook Children’s Neighborhood Clinic Fort Worth – Miller “Sandy Varghese was my son’s first pediatrician. I was a young single mom! She made me feel like I was doing so well! Always knew what was going on. Doctor visits were never a drag because she always showed how much she cared for my son.”

—Rachel, Arlington See ad on back cover.

18

Williams, Kellie J. MD Kid Care Pediatrics

Worsley, Ben MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Southwest Harris Parkway “He is so kind and positive!! His bedside manner is excellent. He is always up to speed on current matters.”

—Corinne, Fort Worth See ad on back cover.

Wylie, Kevin DO Cook Children’s Pediatrics Fort Worth – Southwest Harris Parkway “He listens and does not jump to medications! He offers suggestions for things we can do at home since he knows I try to stay away for medications for my family.”

—D’Nae, Fort Worth See ad on back cover.

GRAPEVINE

Askari-Brown, Mary Anne MD Clinical Pediatric Associates of North Texas Ghaffar, Faryal MD Dallas Pediatrics & ID Associates

Hopkins, Eric MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics “Dr. Hopkins always makes my child laugh by telling jokes to make the appointment less stressful. He takes his time with every patient and makes sure we understand and answers all of our questions. He is always supportive of our parenting style while also providing us with the most up-to-date professional recommendations.”

—Shelby, Fort Worth See ad on back cover.

Robert, William Pierre MD Grapevine Pediatric Clinic

HURST

Harston, Melanie DO Cook Children’s Pediatrics “Dr. Harston is thorough and knowledgeable. She makes a personal connection with her tiny patients. She also uses her knowledge of being a parent to help you! We love her!”

—Heather, North Richland Hills See ad on back cover.

Lopez, P. David DO Cook Children’s Pediatrics “Our pediatrician is very special because he actually listens and cares. He takes time with the kids and doesn’t leave anything without consideration. I appreciate that he understands our concerns and always explains all we need to know.”

—Laura, Haltom City See ad on back cover.

Nash, Lisa MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics “Dr. Nash is a wonderful and very caring doctor. Both my son and I love her. She has taken wonderful care of my son throughout all of his medical issues. We’ve had some pretty scary situations, but she always takes the time to ask me how I’m doing. Am I dealing with this ok? She’s amazing.”

—Kristen, Watauga See ad on back cover.

KELLER

Jacob, Shelby MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics Keller – Heritage “I wholeheartedly endorse and recom-

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

mend Dr. Jacob, her nurse Claudia and the team at Cook Children’s! I’m a firsttime mom, and I’ve had questions about everything and worried about so many things. Dr. Jacob’s approach is evidence based and up to date with AAP recommendations, but she is practical, reassuring and so loving to my daughter!”

—Shanel, Fort Worth See ad on back cover.

MANSFIELD

Tomberlin, Julie MD Julie Tomberlin, MD, Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine Wallace, Erin MD USMD Medical Clinic of North Texas

SAGINAW

Davis, Samuel MD Child Plus Pediatrics

SOUTHLAKE

Nichols, David MD Cook Children’s Pediatrics “Dr. Nichols is great! He is honest but also respectful of parents’ wishes when it comes to the plan of care for their children. He gives parents all the tools to make sound medical decisions for their children, and he has a great bedside manner with parents and kids.”

—Amanda, Fort Worth See ad on back cover.

STEPHENVILLE

Miller, Kelly DO Cook Children’s Pediatrics “She and all her staff are amazing! She loves your children as her own and treats you like family. She always wants to do what is best for your child no matter what. She always tries to get you in the same day you call and has a smile on her face when you see her. Her office is always very clean, warm and inviting.”

—Kandace, Comanche See ad on back cover.

PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGIST

FORT WORTH

Ranelle, Ann DO, FOCO Fort Worth Eye Associates “She takes individual time to care about every child. She listens to the parents and communicates effectively.”

—Jennifer, Fort Worth See ad on page 19.

PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDIST

HURST

Quatro, Christine DO Varsity Orthopedics

PEDIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER

FLOWER MOUND

Mowery, Kim RN, CPNP MD Pediatric Associates “Kim is great with both of my sons, one of whom has a learning disability and developmental delays, and the other who is asthmatic. She spends time listening to your concerns, while at the same time relates well with parents as well as my teens. We always ask for an appointment specifically with her!”

—Anne, Flower Mound See ad on page 19.

Ann Ranelle, DO, FOCO Pediatric Ophthalmology

3x Mom Approved Dr. Ann Ranelle is honored to be recognized as a Mom Approved pediatric ophthalmologist. She is board certified in ophthalmology and completed her fellowship in pediatric ophthalmology at Detroit Children’s Hospital. For the last 14 years Dr. Ranelle has practiced at Fort Worth Eye Associates. Specializing in amblyopia treatment, strabismus surgery, cataract surgery and the diagnosis and treatment of childhood eye diseases, she prides herself in offering advanced technology and excellent full-service care for each child. She is the Past-President of the Tarrant County Medical Society board and spends her free time being the mom of 2 boys.

Fort Worth Eye Associates

5000 Collinwood Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-732-5593 • ranelle.com

Jonathan Snead, MD Obstetrics & Gynecology 5x Mom-Approved Jonathan Snead, MD, and Angela George, WHNP-BC, of Alliance Women’s Healthcare are accepting new patients. Alliance Women’s Healthcare has been serving the north Fort Worth area for over fifteen years. Dr. Snead won Physician of the Year for Texas Health Resources Hospital at Alliance (2015), Keller Best of the Best OBGYN (2012–19), Living Magazine Best of the Best OBGYN (2014–19) and a FortWorthChild magazine Mom Approved Doctor (2015–2019).

Come see why so many patients and physicians alike trust us and recommend our practice! Dr. Snead has hospital privileges at Texas Health Resources Hospital at Alliance.

Alliance Women’s Healthcare

10600 N. Riverside Dr., Ste. 100 Fort Worth, TX 76244 • 817-741-9663 alliancewomenshealthcare.com

dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

19

Melissa Rozas, DDS & Loria Nahatis, DDS Pediatric Dentistry 7x Mom Approved Dr. Melissa Rozas and Dr. Loria Nahatis, moms themselves, know the importance of making a child feel comfortable and safe in the dental office.

They are passionate about creating a positive dental experience that is also fun and educational for the entire family. “Good communication, trust, and common goals towards a healthy and happy smile is our mission,” says Dr. Rozas.

Both Dr. Rozas and Dr. Nahatis love seeing patients as infants or by age 1 year. “Seeing the babies early in life, allow us the ability to help the parents establish proper oral hygiene techniques and assess the child’s risk for cavities. We are also able to evaluate potential problems such as tongue and lip-tie, mouth breathing, and their effects or oral development,” says Dr. Nahatis.

They are passionate about working with special needs children and their families to customize an oral health plan that suites their dental needs.

Dr. Rozas and Dr. Nahatis are both board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and are active members in American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, The Greater Dallas Pediatric Dental Society and the Academy Laser Study Club. Dr. Rozas is past president of the Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and is currently serving as co-chairman of the Greater Pediatric Dental Society.

Melissa Rozas, DDS Dentistry for Infants, Children & Teens, PA

Dentistry for Infants, Children & Teens, P.A.

632 E. Sandy Lake Rd., Coppell, TX, 75019 972-393-9779 • info@rozasdds.com rozasdds.com

Justin Warcup, DDS Pediatric Dentistry 4x Mom Approved 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

20

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

ORAL HEALTH

fast facts about those pearly whites COMPILED BY EMILY YEARWOOD

BAD HABITS

BEST FOODS

FO R A CH I LD’ S D E NTA L H YG I E N E:

TOO MUCH TOOTHPASTE

SHARING UTENSILS

UNLIKE BONES OR OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY, TEETH ARE

INCAPABLE OF SELF-REPAIR

SUGARY DRINKS

A CHILD CAN EAT FOR GOOD ORAL HYGIENE:

THUMB SUCKING

A BABY IS BORN WITH

20

RAISINS

ORANGES

SOURCES: BABY TOOTH CENTER; SCIENCE FOCUS; AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION; IMAGINE SMILES; COLGATE

TEETH BELOW THE GUMS

THEY USUALLY START COMING THROUGH BETWEEN 6 MONTHS AND A YEAR

CARROTS

AMERICANS BUY MORE THAN

14 GALLONS OF TOOTHPASTE EVERY YEAR

MILK

TOOTH ENAMEL IS THE HARDEST SUBSTANCE IN THE HUMAN BODY

FISH

dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

21

STRAIGHTEN UP don’t wait for your child’s permanent teeth before making an orthodontic appointment W O R D S A L E X I S PAT T E R S O N

L

eaf through your seventh grade yearbook, and you’ll probably see many kids smiling up at you with braces on their teeth. It’s a middle school right of passage … right? Not necessarily. Brace yourself: Orthodontic treatment may need to begin a lot earlier to head off significant problems.

22

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

Ava Shortnacy of Southlake got her braces just after she turned 8. Believe it or not, 7 is the age by which the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends all children get an orthodontic evaluation.

For most kids, their permanent

© ISTOCK

RIGHT // AVA SHORTNACY OF SOUTHLAKE GOT HER BRACES ON AT AGE 8. “AVA WAS OK WITH OUR DECISION [TO START ORTHODONTICS], SO IT REALLY HELPED,” SAYS HER MOM, PETRA CRUZ-SHORTNACY.

PHOTO COURTESY OFPETRA CRUZ-SHORTNACY;

6-year molars and permanent central incisors will have erupted by that point.

“Ava’s mouth is pretty small, so she didn’t have much room for her adult teeth coming in,” says Petra Cruz-Shortnacy, Ava’s mom.

“It was causing crowding and pushing her front teeth forward.”

So Ava found herself in a chair at Johnson & Collins Orthodontics the summer after first grade.

“This is the time when we can best identify if there are potential jaw growth discrepancies or severe crowding problems,” explains Dr. Monte Collins, Ava’s orthodontist and a part-time clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas.

“Many times these issues can be addressed with an early, limited phase of treatment to improve the jaw growth pattern and create space for the larger, developing permanent teeth.”

The issues with a child’s mouth may be obvious; if so, an orthodontic evaluation is advised earlier than age 7. Other times, your little’s smile may seem modelperfect. Beware: That can be the sign of a problem.

“If baby teeth are straight and close together, that’s when the adult teeth will most likely be crowded,” says pediatric dentist Dr. Kelli Ettelbrick (just “Dr. Kelli” to her patients at Frisco Dentistry for Kids). “The adult teeth are much bigger than the baby teeth and need more room to come in. You want baby teeth to look like a picket fence, with space for permanent teeth.”

Ettelbrick notes that some common behaviors can cause orthodontic problems. “Mouth breathing affects jaw growth and development,” she says. “And if a 2-year-old or 3-year-old is still sucking on a pacifier or a thumb or finger, we try to correct that, as it is easier at that age than later. I tell parents to discontinue pacifiers by age 3. Sucking on a finger is more difficult to stop since it is attached to the child— but if the child tends to do it

with a blanket or stuffed animal, make that item less available.

Don’t have it in the car or while watching TV, maybe just in bed at night.”

Pediatric dentists can provide some orthodontic services; Ettelbrick sometimes utilizes palate expanders and space maintainers in her practice. But she refers out the vast majority of orthodontic cases.

That’s what happened with Ava. Her pediatric dentist noticed crowding and recommended an orthodontist visit. Not long after, Ava became the first among her friends to have braces.

It’s important to not wait for all permanent teeth to come in before exploring orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics—the specialty’s official name—for your child, according to Collins. We discussed pictures on the AAO website showing the problems to watch for in 7-year-olds: crossbite, protrusion and open bite, among others. (See the sidebar.)

“What these photos do not show is the consequences of a poor facial growth pattern left untreated for another five to seven years waiting on all the teeth to erupt,” cautions Collins. “No parent wants to hear their doctor say, ‘I wish I had seen your child five years ago.’”

Worried that your younger child won’t cooperate with orthodontic treatment? You probably don’t need to be concerned.

Collins says kids who require early treatment are generally very positive about it. “There are no anesthesia shots, and braces are a cool thing at this age,” he observes.

Cruz-Shortnacy concurs.

“Honestly, I think Ava was pretty excited,” she says. “It made her feel like a big girl. Dr. Collins is great, and the staff is pretty amazing. And Ava really enjoys the Starbucks across the street.

It’s her post-appointment treat.”

Even if an orthodontist identifies issues, not all 7-year-olds will immediately need braces or other interventions. Mild or moderate crowding, with an appropriate pattern of jaw growth, can wait for permanent

teeth. When earlier treatment is warranted, the child will most likely still benefit from comprehensive orthodontic treatment after permanent teeth all come in.

Ava is now 12 and preparing for her second round of braces.

“I was one of those parents who assumed this treatment was for older kids,” says CruzShortnacy—who found out that her daughter wasn’t alone in needing an orthodontist in elementary school. “We had a few families ask us for advice, and soon after, there were some others in braces.”

Wondering if your child needs to join them? Get an orthodontic evaluation by age 7, say the experts.

“You would be surprised at the number of dental abnormalities that will show up on a panoramic X-ray at this age—extra teeth, missing teeth, misdirected teeth,” shares Collins.

Ettelbrick adds that there’s not a downside to an orthodontic evaluation for your child. “It’s just a consultation, and they’re often free,” she points out. “Why wouldn’t you? It could save you from more extensive treatment down the road.”

tooth troubles The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have a checkup no later than age 7. Here are some of the problems they’re looking for: • Anterior (front) crossbite • Posterior (back) crossbite • Crowding • Open bite • Protrusion • Ectopic eruption (tooth growing in the wrong place) • Underbite • Diastema (gap between teeth) • Oral habits (sucking on fingers, mouth breathing)

Crowding

Ectopic Eruption

Diastema

dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

23

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Mom Approved

ORAL HEALTH

mom approved dentists and orthodontists COMPILED BY DFWCHILD EDITORS

FAMILY DENTISTRY

ARLINGTON

Cabansag, Nancy DDS Encore Dentistry Hamam, Fadi DMD All Dental Wardlaw, Stephen DDS I-20 Family Dental

BEDFORD

He, Howard DDS Brown Trail Dental Vartikar, Prachi DMD Nirvana Dental

CROWLEY

Greer, Erin DDS Crowley Family Dentistry

FORT WORTH

Laska, Justyna DDS, PC Justyna S. Laska, DDS McConnell, Brad DDS Harris Parkway Dental Sachdev, Kanika DDS Mint Dentistry

HASLET

Baugh, Amelia DDS Avondale Haslet Dental Center

KELLER

Patel, Darshan DDS, DPH Esthetique Dental

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Dillard, Douglas DDS Woodland Hills Dental Perry, Chad DDS Chad Perry, DDS Robb, Mary M. DDS Mary M. Robb Cosmetic & General Dentistry “Our son is special needs and has great difficulty adjusting to change. Mary made his transition to her practice wonderful. She is patient, kind, loving and funny. My son loves her. she took the time to learn all about him.”

—Mary, Watauga See ad on page 25.

Vasantha, Vijitha DDS Absolute Smile

SAGINAW

Libling, Jennifer DDS Brush Dentistry

SOUTHLAKE

Sohn, Paige DDS, MAGD Sohn Dental 24

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

Jamison, Drew DDS Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry

Ferguson, Stephanie DDS Park Place Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics “Dr. Ferguson educates the family on how best to care for kids’ teeth and gums The office has a special way with the kids that puts them at ease. We’re in and out with no long waits. The office is super kid friendly.”

—Jennifer, Grand Prairie See ad on page 35.

Morrow, Jack W. DDS, MSD Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry

ARLINGTON

Gharraph, Hussam DDS Kidzania Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics Ketchel, Jennifer DDS, MS Arlington Pediatric Dentistry

BEDFORD

Krone, Manivara DDS Pediatric Smiles “She is very patient with the kids. Staff is so caring, and hours are great.”

—Vanessa, Hurst See ad on page 25.

BURLESON

Preece, Stan DDS Preece, Church & Associates Pediatric Dentistry Roberts, Susan DDS, MS Dr. Susan Roberts Pediatric Dentistry Warcup, Justin DDS North Texas Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics “Amazing staff! Always so kind and amazing with children. Patient and will go above and beyond to make you and your child comfortable. Answers any and all questions!”

—Ashley, Fort Worth See ad on page 20.

HASLET

Ashcroft, Jason DMD, MSD Pediatric Dentistry of Haslet

MANSFIELD

Hamilton, Blane DMD iKids Pediatric Dentistry

Leavitt, Aaron DDS iKids Pediatric Dentistry

Hamilton, Randy DMD iKids Pediatric Dentistry

Walton, Chris DDS Burleson Pediatric Dentistry

Hyde, James DDS Drs. Hyde, Miller & Associates

COLLEYVILLE

Miller, Charles DDS Drs. Hyde, Miller & Associates

Ta, Tuong (David) DDS Pediatric Dentistry of Colleyville

COPPELL

Nahatis, Loria DDS Melissa Rozas, DDS “They are caring and friendly.”

—Mohammad, Irving See ad on page 20 Rozas, Melissa DDS Melissa Rozas, DDS “Dr. Rozas is very friendly, and she answers whatever questions you have.

The office is very clean and welcoming, and everyone in the front office is very friendly and helpful. I recommended this dentist to several of my friends!”

—Krista, Carrollton See ad on page 20.

FORT WORTH

Beville III, R. Nelson DDS Fort Worth Children’s Dentistry Brazeal, Jarod DDS Legacy Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry Church, Austin DDS Preece, Church & Associates Pediatric Dentistry Gold Rector, Elizabeth DDS, MS Legacy Pediatric & Adolescent Dentistry

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

SOUTHLAKE

Davis, Christopher DDS Davis Pediatric Dentistry Thomas, Preetha DMD Enclave Dental

ORTHODONTICS

ARLINGTON

Barbre, Raymond DDS, MS Smile Doctors Braces

BURLESON

Mills, Macie DDS, MS iKids Orthodontics

FORT WORTH

Bekish, Daniel J. DMD, MS Bekish Orthodontics Kuperman, Lester DDS Smile Doctors by Kuperman Orthodontics

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS

Delgado, Michael DDS, MS Delgado Orthodontics “The process from start to finish is super easy. They work with you on payments. The staff is friendly, and the kids look forward to their appointments.

They are always going above and beyond for their patients.”

—Jamaka, Hurst See ad on page 25.

Mary M. Robb, DDS Family Dentistry 2x Mom Approved At the age of nine, a family friend and dentist inspired me to enter the dental profession. The care and attention he showed me has been my motivation as I have practiced in the Mid-Cities for over thirty years.

I am a general and cosmetic dentist treating patients from two to ninetytwo and I would love to serve you and your family’s oral health needs. I offer a free “fun visit” for three year-olds and very much enjoy children of all ages. Come and see why my patients “love their teeth and love their dentist!”

Mary M. Robb DDS Cosmetic & General Dentistry 4108 City Point Dr. North Richland Hills, TX 76180 817-284-7687 •maryrobbdds.com

Michael J. Delgado, DDS, MS Orthodontics

7x Mom Approved Michael Delgado, DDS, MS believes that healthy, improved smiles can improve lives and inspire confidence. Dr. Delgado is an Orthodontic Specialist, using state-of-the-art equipment to ensure optimal treatment for children, teens, and adults in his Mid-Cities location.

Delgado Orthodontics

9293 Huntington Square North Richland Hills, TX 76182 817-282-1821 delgadoorthodontics.com

Gymnastics skills that improve independence and coordination.

Or as they see it,

The Little Gym offers a wide variety of classes to help children ages 4 months through 12 years reach their greatest potential. Structured lessons, unique themes and a nurturing environment build confidence during each stage of childhood.

Come try us out!

Arlington/Mansfield (817) 465-9296 Fort Worth (817) 346-9655

Frisco (972) 704-1819 Keller (817) 562-4466

N. Fort Worth 817-996-3691 Rockwall (469) 769-1190

TheLittleGym.com

Manivara Krone, DDS Pediatric Dentistry 3x Mom Approved Dr. Manivara P. Krone opened her practice, Pediatric Smiles P.A. in 2006 which specializes in providing dental care for infants, children, teens, and special need children. Her passion in pediatric dentistry and positive attitude always helps every child feel at ease. Her goal is to provide the highest quality dental care along with a fun and positive dental visit for each patient. Dr. Krone is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Pediatric Smiles P.A.

3004 Highway 121, Suite B Bedford, TX 76021 817-283-8600 • info@pediatricsmiles.net pediatricsmiles.net

dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

25

Early Intervention Program 2–5 yrs old

Bridge Program (preschool-aged) 4–6 yrs old

Transition Program (school-aged) 7–10 yrs old

COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY (CBT)

Maintenance Program

• • • • • •

(school-aged) 8–13 yrs old

APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) • • • • • •

PLAY THERAPY • • • • • •

SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING AND PROBLEM SOLVING • • • • • •

THERAPEUTIC GAMES AND BOOKS • • • • • •

SOLUTION FOCUSED • • • • • •

PARENTING/BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS—PARENT TRAINING AND COACHING We serve children whose diagnoses may include Autism, ADHD, ADD, OCD and ODD LOCATIONS IN FLOWER MOUND, GRAPEVINE & TROPHY CLUB Office: (972) 410-5297 | Fax: (972) 410-5270 | abc-pediatrics.com

CHILDREN’S WHOLE HEALTH fast facts on body and mind wellness C O M P I L E D B Y E M I LY Y E A R W O O D

SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY

IMPORTANT FOODS FOR

PROPER GROWTH

HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS: ??

IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS:

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

BEHAVIOR CHANGES

7.5%

DIFFICULTY CONCENTRATING

UNEXPLAINED WEIGHT LOSS

HOW MANY HOURS SHOULD YOUR KID SLEEP

AGES 6–12

9-12 HOURS OF KIDS UNDER AGE 18 CURRENTLY

SOURCES: MAYO CLINIC; CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION; SLEEP AND HEALTH

HAVE ASTHMA

FRUITS & VEGETABLES

WHOLE GRAINS

AGES 13–18

8-10 HOURS

FAT-FREE AND LOW-FAT DAIRY PRODUCTS

A VARIETY OF PROTEINS

93.6%

O F K I D S H AV E H A D CO N TAC T W I T H A H E A LT H C A R E PROFESSIONAL IN THE

PAST YEAR

SUGAR-SWEETENED

beverages account for 10% of the daily caloric intake of children and adolescents.

OILS dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

27

HOW HEALTHY IS YOUR CHILD? Get a sense with this quiz WORDS

W

hile you don’t want to leave seven messages for your child’s pediatrician at the first sign of a sniffle, you also want to make sure that you’re not overlooking anything major. So how do you know your kids are on the right track for well-being? Take our quiz—and talk to your pediatrician.

mental health _______ My child feels that he is good at things. _______ My child has friends or other solid ties in the community. _______ My child has personal interests or hobbies outside school. _______ My child’s negative emotions, like anger and sadness, appear infrequently. _______ My child tells me about positive interactions with peers. _______ My child generally responds appropriately to pressure from school (i.e., doesn’t panic, cry or get excessively angry about upcoming tests). _______ My child doesn’t excessively worry. _______ My child says positive things about their physical appearance. _______ My child comes to me when facing a problem.

_______ My child treats animals kindly. _______ My child generally feels good in their body and doesn’t complain too much of aches or pains. _______ My child’s behavior and personality remain relatively constant. _______ My child can sit still and pay attention when necessary. _______ My child generally respects parental authority. _______ My partner and I refrain from arguing in front of our child.

TOTAL 28

___

ALEX MITCHELL MORTENSON

If your child has a score of 9 or less in this section, reach out to your pediatrician or a mental health specialist. Whatever the quiz score—if your child displays concerning behaviors or says they want to hurt themselves or others, or if your gut tells you something’s wrong, get immediate help.

LOCAL RESOURCES Alliance Child & Family Solutions Multiple locations; acfstexas.com

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHANGES Tips from Tiffany Smith, clinical director of Tiffany Smith Counseling and partner and site supervisor for Flower Mound Counseling

Cook Children’s Rees-Jones Behavioral Health Center Fort Worth; cookchildrens.org

1. Monitor eating and sleeping “Seek help for your child if you notice a large change in appetite … if your kid starts eating much more or much less than usual,” says Smith.

Excessive sleeping is also a concern.

2. Pay attention to their interests “A red flag … is your kid losing interest in something they used to love for no obvious reason,” Smith says. Be alert to sudden friendship changes or increased irritability.

3. Physical Changes Watch for weight fluctuations and signs of self-harm. “You need to question any bruises, cuts or scratches that can’t be accounted for,” Smith advises.

4. Stay up on their grades A sudden academic drop may reflect a problem.

5. Keep an eye on screen activity Kids may make cries for help through text messages and social media.

Tiffany Smith Counseling Flower Mound; heartyourfamily.com

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

Center for Counseling & Family Relationships Fort Worth; ccfam.com Child Study Center Fort Worth; cscfw.org

Lena Pope Multiple locations; lenapope.org

nutrition _______ My child eats three meals a day, plus 2–3 snacks. _______ My child eats a breakfast that includes a lean protein every morning. _______ My child ages 4–8 eats two and a half dairy servings per day. _______ My child ages 9–12 eats three dairy servings per day. _______ My child ages 4–8 eats four or five servings of grain foods (preferably whole grain) per day. _______ My child ages 9–12 eats five or six servings of grain foods per day.

child’s bedtime.

_______ My child avoids spending time in bed except for sleeping. _______ My child doesn’t get caffeine. _______ My child usually stays in his own bed at night.

_______ My child does not fall asleep in school.

_______ My child does not snore loudly or have pauses in breathing while sleeping.

TOTAL___ _______ My child eats five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. _______ My child ages 4–8 eats three or four servings of protein per day. _______ My child ages 9–12 eats five servings of protein per day. _______ My child eats fatty fish two or three times per week. _______ Less than 10 percent of my child’s daily caloric intake comes from sugar. _______ My child eats less than a teaspoon of salt a day. _______ I model appropriate dietary patterns and practices for my child. _______ A majority of my child’s meals are eaten with family.

_______ My child mostly drinks water or milk, occasionally drinks fruit juice and rarely drinks soda. _______ My child eats mostly homecooked meals.

_______ A majority of my child’s meals are eaten away from the TV, computer and other distractions.

TOTAL

GETTING BETTER ZZZs Tips from Dr. Angela Mix, West Plano Pediatrics and UT Southwestern Medical Center clinical teaching faculty

LOCAL RESOURCES Cook Children’s Nutrition Services Fort Worth; cookchildrens.org Debra Hilliard-Jones Nutrition Bedford; debrahilliardjonesnutrition.com Lemond Nutrition Plano and Rockwall; lemondnutrition.com

___

If your child’s nutrition score is 12 or less, or you still have concerns, touch base with your pediatrician or another dietary expert.

BALANCED DIETS Tips from Angela Lemond, registered dietitian and coowner of Lemond Nutrition 1. No tricks “I’m not a big fan of sneaking veggies into children’s meals,” Lemond says. “When you’re doing it behind their back it doesn’t encourage them to make © ISTOCK

If your child’s sleep score is 7 or less, that’s a sign you should talk to your pediatrician or a sleep specialist. (Talk to them anyway if your child is excessively sleepy in the daytime, or if your child snores or pauses while breathing during sleep.)

good choices on their own.”

2. Start ’em early The earlier you can introduce a healthy food into your child’s diet, the better. “Even if they initially reject a food, keep offering it,” Lemond advises.

3. Monkey see, monkey do Take a good, hard look at your own diet. “Model optimal eating behavior and eat a variety of foods,” Lemond recommends.

sleep _______ My child ages 3–5 gets 10–13 hours of sleep in 24 hours. _______ My child ages 6­–12 gets 9–12 hours of sleep in 24 hours. _______ My child seems relatively alert and awake during the day. _______ My child’s sleeping environment is cool, dark and quiet. _______ My child and I have a nightly bedtime routine. _______ We turn off all blue-light emitting screens (TVs, tablets and computers) well before my

1. Consistency, consistency “Allowing your child to stay up extra late [on weekend nights] may backfire,” Mix warns.

“They will not necessarily sleep in longer and may in fact get up even earlier and be more irritable.”

2. Keep evenings low key “Avoid high-stimulation activities such as video games, TV, movies and exercising at least one hour before bed,” Mix advises.

3. Keep technology out of the bedroom “[Gadgets] can disrupt sleep throughout the night,” Mix says.

Try a central docking station.

LOCAL RESOURCES Cook Children’s Sleep Center Fort Worth; cookchildrens.org Dallas Sleep Keller location; dallas-sleep.com North Texas Lung & Sleep Clinic Fort Worth and Southlake; northtexaslungandsleepclinic.com

This quiz assesses well-being for ages 4–12 and is based on advice from Dr. Kim Mangham, Cook Children’s Pediatrics Keller • Angela Lemond, Lemond Nutrition in Plano and Rockwall • Araceli Vázquez, DietGenics Nutrition Consulting, LLC in Dallas • Tiffany Smith, Tiffany Smith Counseling and Flower Mound Counseling • Dr. Angela Mix, West Plano Pediatrics dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

29

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

Mom Approved

WHOLE HEALTH & WELLNESS mom approved counselors, therapists and alternative health practitioners COMPILED BY DFWCHILD EDITORS

ACUPUNCTURE

KELLER

Wang, Calli (Xizi) LAc North Texas Whole Health Wellness Center

ABA THERAPY

CROWLEY

Whaley, Rachel DC Chiropractic Wellness Cafe Winn, Hannah DC, EMT-B Chiropractic Wellness Cafe

FORT WORTH

FORT WORTH

Vandegriff, Amy RBT PediaPlex

Garcia, Terry DC Inner Light Chiropractic

SOUTHLAKE

Robinson, Lindsey DC Inner Light Chiropractic

Suckarieh, Nadia MA, BCBA Hope Center for Autism

Bauman, BrieAnna RBT PediaPlex Wilshire, Tayla BCBA PediaPlex

TROPHY CLUB

Elsken, Kristan BCBA ABC Pediatrics

AUDIOLOGY

FORT WORTH

Seibold, Andi AuD Little Ears Audiology

CHIROPRACTIC

BURLESON

Hosaka, Kristen DC Turning Point Wellness

Crabtree, Randal DC Chiro Plus Clinics South

Scott, Mark DC Inner Light Chiropractic

GRAPEVINE

Connolly, Tara DC Sozo Chiropractic & Wellness, LLC Moulton, Kael DC Moulton Chiropractic

KELLER

Moore, Rachel DC Align My Spine

MANSFIELD

Adams, Jordan DC Calibration Chiropractic

Puente, Emily DC, CACCP Bridge Family Chiropractic

SOUTHLAKE

Annas, Mary Beth DC Prime Chiropractic Porteus, Nikki DC, CACCP Renew & Restore Wellness York, Meghan DC, CACCP Loving Life Chiropractic

COUNSELING

ALEDO

Huey, Kristin LPC Alliance Child & Family Solutions Huffstuttler, D’Lisa LPC Alliance Child & Family Solutions

BEDFORD

Atwood, Michael LPC Alliance Child & Family Solutions

BURLESON

Gortney, Michele MS, LPC-S Michele Gortney Leonard, Julia MS, LPC Mid Cities Counseling Center, PLLC

COLLEYVILLE

Missimo, Christopher MA, NCC, LPC-Intern Missimo Motivation, LLC & Psychological Services of North Texas Monge, Sadi (Siomara) MS, LPC-S, RPT Family Connections Counseling

EULESS

Afzal, Sabaa MA, LPC Happiness Co. Counseling & Intervention

FORT WORTH

Johnson, Nikolaus LPC, EMDRTrained Center for Counseling & Family Relationships 30

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

©ISTOCK

Booher, Erin MEd, LPC, NCC Erin Booher Counseling

Kathryn Mandal, MD, FAAP Pediatrics

3x Mom Approved After graduating from high school at age 14, Dr. Kathryn Mandal attended prestigious Smith College in Massachusetts. She then attended medical school in San Antonio and completed her residency training in pediatrics in New York. She has been a board certified pediatrician since 2002. Dr. Mandal joined Continuum Pediatrics in 2016, a unique place where patients can get same-day appointments and see the same doctor every time. As the mother of an ex-preemie with health issues, she understands how difficult it can be, and works hard to make convenient access to health care a priority.

Continuum Pediatrics

9509 N. Beach St., Ste. 102 Fort Worth, TX 76244 817-617-8600 • continuumtx.com

We’ve got a lot to celebrate.

Join the largest network of moms in Dallas-Fort Worth.

DFWCHILD.COM Scan with camera to get the magazine dfwchild.com / The Well Guide

31

SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION

M O M A P P R O V E D / W H O L E H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

SOUTHLAKE

McCauley, Jennifer PT, DPT, OCS Inspire Physical Therapy & Wellness

PSYCHIATRY

FORT WORTH

Choudhry, Zohra MD Dr. Zohra Choudhry

PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY

SOUTHLAKE

Brandon, Anna PhD, ABPP Anna R. Brandon, PhD, ABPP

PSYCHOLOGY

COLLEYVILLE

Nadelson, Kathleen PsyD Psychological Services of North Texas

FORT WORTH

Weckel, Geoff PsyD Restoration Counseling

MANSFIELD

Brenner, Caroline PhD The Jones Center for Children’s Therapy

SPEECH THERAPY

FORT WORTH

Jochens, Ashleigh SLP Cowtown Pediatrix

Michero, Emily PhD, LPC-S Dr. Emily Michero

EQUINE THERAPY

ROANOKE

Dunn, Annadee Victory Therapy Center

FASCIAL INTEGRATIVE THERAPY

BEDFORD

Ritz, Stefanie LPC Alliance Child & Family Solutions

Burget, Frankie OTR/LC, LMT/MI, BCIM, BCIP, SEP, CST, CNDT Windsong Therapy

Ruffin, Roci LPC The Oaks Life Center

FORT WORTH

Taylor, Anastasia MSSW, LCSW-S Alliance Child & Family Solutions

HURST

Shepard, Jessica MA, LPC Little Love Counseling

KELLER

Ekobena, Queen LPC Logos Counseling Kelso, Gay MSSW, LCSW Logos Counseling McComas, Lacey MA, LPC Logos Counseling

MANSFIELD

Clark, Rebecca LPC Cook Children’s “We took our son to several therapists before we were able to find one that he felt comfortable enough to open up to. He was suffering from anxiety and depression. Rebecca has been very helpful in ensuring the whole family understands what the underlying issues are and works together for resolution.”

—Marina, Mansfield See ad on back cover.

32

MUSIC THERAPY

Bailey, Jordan MT-BC Heart & Harmony Music Therapy Fabian, Emily MT-BC Heart & Harmony Music Therapy Michel, Madison MT-BC Heart & Harmony Music Therapy Roberson, Annie MT-BC Heart & Harmony Music Therapy

NEURO INTEGRATION

FORT WORTH

Rae, Leanna MSSW, CPLC, TBIT, RMT Kid’s Brain Tree

NEUROMUSCULOSKELETAL MEDICINE

Rankin, Marilyn MA, CCC-SLP Carter Therapy Smith, Melissa MS, CCC-SLP Cook Children’s “Takes time to work with the child and family. Is always positive about the potential outcome even in the most depressing times of the family. Is a positive light for both parents and child.

So much confidence was taught by her, and my son would light up anytime she came in the lobby. She ALWAYS made us feel special and did whatever she could to help in all aspects of his medical care.

She is a one of a kind and has found her calling helping special needs children and their families as well.”

—Katrina, Evant See ad on back cover.

GRAPEVINE

Fields, Lakeisha MS/SLP Magnolia Speaks Speech Therapy Center

KELLER

Richmond, Kristen MS, CCC-SLP Therapedia, LLC

SOUTHLAKE

Hudspeth, Hayley SLP PediaPlex

SOUTHLAKE

Roop, Jay P. DO North Texas Musculoskeletal Medicine

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

KELLER

Kokkinis, Cheryl OTR/L Therapedia, LLC

PHYSICAL THERAPY

FORT WORTH

Woerner, Marie PT, DPT, WCS, CLT Woerner Physical Therapy

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

©ISTOCK

Johnson, Rhonda LPC-S, LMFT-S, RPT-S, CEAP, EMDR-Trained Center for Counseling & Family Relationships

MAKING THE LIST what it means to be mom approved WORDS

DFWCHILD EDITORS

C

hoosing a health professional to care for your child can be a little like searching for your significant other. They first have to check all the boxes (education, area of specialty, location)—and then there’s the question of chemistry. Does this doctor feel like the right fit? Does she “connect” with your family? It’s not uncommon to visit a few different providers before you commit. We wanted to make that process easier. That’s why DFWChild compiles our Mom Approved lists. They include doctors (and dentists and counselors and midwives and more) recommended by our readers—other DFW parents—who are equally passionate about finding the best of the best for their children. We hope this helps you connect with your health care match.

WHAT IS A MOM APPROVED DOCTOR (OR DENTIST, ETC.)?

Mom Approved health and wellness professionals are those who have earned the trust, admiration and respect of our readers.

Parents reached out to us, recommended these pediatricians, OB/GYNs, fertility specialists, therapists, orthodontists and other providers—and told us why. Whether it’s about their professional acumen, flexibility or gentle demeanor, these health care professionals have impressed moms and dads like you who care deeply about their kids’ whole health. All these providers are licensed (if applicable) and were in good standing with their respective certification or examination boards at press time.

WHAT MAKES MOM APPROVED DOCTORS DIFFERENT? Each year, publications come out with lists ranking area 34

health care professionals. Often these providers are chosen not by patients and clients but by other providers. Mom Approved Doctors are unique because they’ve been nominated by the consumers: local moms and dads. These providers didn’t make it on our list by purchasing space in the magazine, and their inclusion doesn’t imply an endorsement by DFWChild. This is truly a parent-to-parent referral list.

IS THE LIST EXHAUSTIVE? The list is by no means exhaustive—there are likely many outstanding professionals who aren’t on the list because our readers didn’t pass on a recommendation. If you have a local health care provider you love, tell us.

HOW DO I RECOMMEND A PROVIDER? DFWChild holds four surveys a year for readers to nominate their favorite health care providers in the following categories:

The Well Guide / dfwchild.com

• Pediatricians, pediatric

specialists and family doctors • Dentists and orthodontists • OB/GYNs, midwives and

fertility specialists • Counselors, chiropractors and other wellness professionals

We post surveys at different points during the year on our website; visit dfwchild.com/directory and look for Mom Approved Docs.

We ask that you leave comments telling us why you love a particular provider—other parents want to know why you think a health care professional is special. (Comments we publish may be edited for grammar, clarity and length.)

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE MOM APPROVED DOCTORS? The full list of Mom Approved providers, with comments from the parents who recommended them, can be viewed in the Mom Approved Docs section at dfwchild.com/directory.

Keeping kids healthy doesn’t have to be complicated.

Our doctors help make it simple.

Schedule an appointment today at cookchildrens.org/pediatrics