The Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health and the Environment

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Published: 04/01/2013

The Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health and the Environment

A Resource for Moms in Prince William County

Children are routinely exposed to environmental toxins in their homes, schools, water and diets. Where can moms, parents, and caregivers in Prince William County find reliable information on environmental toxins and their effects on children?

At the Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health and the Environment, we provide consultations on children’s environmental health issues, at no cost.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health and the Environment is a Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit established to assist healthcare professionals, public health officials, parents and others who live or work in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Our Center is affiliated with Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

The Mid-Atlantic Center responds to concern about a variety of environmental health topics including:

· School related hazards.

· Indoor air contamination at home.

· Hazards of living near toxic waste sites.

· Daycare and preschool hazards.

· Inquires about potential toxins, such as residential pesticides, lead, well water contamination.

· Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates.

If you would like consultation on some aspect of children’s environmental health please call toll free at 1 (866) 622-2431 or via email at macche@cnmc.org. More information is available at: www.childrensnational.org/macche.

This is a sponsored post provided by the MAACHE Center at Children's National. This does not constitute an endorsement or medical advice.

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Readers Recommend: Dentists and Orthodontists

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Published: 03/12/2012

Hello, again, readers! I've compiled 2 Facebook conversations into one convenient location here, providing recommendations from our moms on Dentists and Orthodontists. We have some great in-county recommendations, and we have a few of you that apparently like I-95 a whole bunch and drive as far as Alexandria to get your teeth all sparkly! Hey, when you like someone, you like them!

Speaking of shiny- here's a shiny red disclaimer! My oldest kid is only 8, and our insurance covers 2 visits per year, so we have NOT been to all these people personally, soooo:

(DISCLAIMER AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE SO YOU KNOW IT MUST BE IMPORTANT!! PWCMOMS.COM DOES NOT CLAIM TO HAVE, NOR DO THEY HAVE A MEDICAL DEGREE OF ANY KIND. WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR, NOR DO WE ENDORSE ANY PARTICULAR COURSE OF TREATMENT FOR YOUR CHILD. THESE REVIEWS WERE MADE VOLUNTARILY BY READERS OF OUR WEBSITE, AND SHOULD BE USED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

Dentists

In-County Recommendations

**County Center Dental Group (Woodbridge)- have been a patient for 3 years

**Brite Stars (Lake Ridge) is great

Brite Stars!! Dr. Pham is awesome! I started taking my daughter to her when she was 2 and

a half and we just love her!

We go to Britestars pediatric dentist in Woodbridge VA, 3 of my kids go there, ages 9, 5 and 2. My 2 year old had her first visit a couple of weeks ago and loved it! She is very shy but she looked very comfortable during her visit! They let the kids choose a toy, give them a balloon, and of course they give them a new toothbrush and toothpaste. We started going there because my 5 yr old then 4 yrs old would not let our general dentist even look in her mouth. We went to britestars and she was so comfortable there that she let them clean her teeth and take xrays! She needed to have 3 fillings done and was a trooper during them too! She didnt even need "gas" to get them done! Oh, and they have tv screens on the wall and let your child watch a movie while they have their check up or procedure done.

BriteStars lets you go back with your children.

Another shootout for Dr. Pham!

Dr. Pham was able to ease all the fears that [another dentist] put into my child.

**Dr. Golden and Associates (Dale City, Burke, Quantico) LOVE them!!

My children love Dr. Al!

I had to take my daughter for an emergency visit as a new patient. Dr. Golden stayed late to fit us in and did a fantastic job. She had to go back for 3 more visits and still loves him, even though she was getting major dental work done!

Dr. Al loves us!!

**Dr. Mary Catherine Dvorak (Woodbridge) I love Dr. Kiki!

Another shout out for Dr. Kiki...hands down best ped and adult dentist ever.

**Dr. Dawn Crandall is superb. Our family dentist, whom we adore, referred us to her when we ran into an issue with my daughter. Two years later, my daughter is still talking about "My friend the dentist"!

**Dr. Creamer (Woodbridge). He is at the intersection of prince william pkwy and old bridge in the plaza across from Minnieland . His mother runs the office and tells the kids stories, photos too, of Dr Creamer as a child. The first time I took my kids there I walked in the door she said my name hugged and kissed me on the cheek introduced herself to my kids. Walked them around the office showing them around making them as comfortable as she could. Her son is a very gentle and kind man. Both of my kids had an incredible visit. He will allow parents in the room, I bounced from the room to the waiting room where my daughter was sitting. It's a small practice and the dr, hygienist and his mom watch everything going on. My friend has gone there for years and swears by him and now I do to. It's a wonderful

Out of County Recommendations

**Dr. Skordalakis (Sterling/Vienna) I hunted high and low for a pediatric dentist that was gentle and allowed parents in the exam room with their child. Took 8 years to find the guy but struck gold with Dr. Skordalakis in Sterling (and Vienna). I know it's a hike but he is soooo worth it. He has this amazingly caring and gentle demeanor that has even the littlest ones opening wide! He was able to do 2 fillings in my 2 year olds mouth with no novocaine or laughing gas! Every other pediatric dentist suggested full sedation (which we did with my older son and was frightening for me and super expensive too). But Dr. S was quick and gentle and we couldn't be happier. I've recommended him to a number of friends and everyone has said he's phenomenal.

Doesn't hurt that he's super hot too. ;-)

**Smile Ville (Alexandria)

Orthodontists:

In-County Recommendations

**Dr. Saleh (Lake Ridge) is great. HIm and the office staff are wonderful and genuinely care.

**Dr. Harold Frank (Mid County)

Love Dr. Harold Frank- he is wonderful

**Dr. Dunegan in Manassas. Love all the staff. Efficient, too.

Dr. Dunegan was my husband's orthodontist (he recently had braces) and my daughter is starting her treatment this month. Watiting room and entire office are very nice and they did a nice job with my husband's teeth.

**Dr. Daczkowski "Dr. D" (Manassas)

**Dr. Stern (Woodbridge and Manassas offices)- I saw Dr. Stern and loved him!!

**Dr. Hessamfer (Woodbridge)- Dr. Hessamfer and his staff in Woodbridge have been fabulous.

My son began treatment in August and we've been very happy with his treatment.

**Dr. Rosenberg (Gainesville and Burke) is the best!

Non-County Recommendations

**Dr. Bagden (Springfield) he is pretty renowned, but his prices reflect what I would have spent at another location for the work I needed.

**Dr. Metzdorf (Fair Lakes) Dr. Metzdorf is worth the drive. IT's a father-son team. He did my braces when I was a kid and I had a very difficult case!

**YesBraces Orthodontics for Children and Adults (Springfield) is wonderful and they are worth the drive. My daughter has Invisalign Teen and she enjoys going to their office.

**Dr. Hamman at Kingstowne Orthodontics (Alexandria) is awesome n has been around ortho her whole life- very honest n caring Dr U r a family member as soon as u walk n that door

Are we missing your favorite? Leave a comment and let us know!! Want to give an additional shout-out to your favorite? Leave a comment for that, too!! (You may also respectfully disagree with one of these, but please ensure your comments are not slanderous and keep them PG rated with the language)

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Helping Other Parents Endure (HOPE)

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Published: 10/15/2011

HOPE

(And not in the Obama kinda way)

Everyone needs a little hope in their lives, but especially parents that have suffered the loss of a pregnancy or infant. It's an especially hard loss because people don't talk about it.

After losing four pregnancies, PWC Mom Robin began a support group in Vermont for other parents dealing with the loss of a pre-born child. Now in our area, Robin has continued her passion for helping other parents cope with their loss. There's no membership or expectation, come as you are when you need to. Robin says for a lot of people that's the first few months and the anniversary of the birth or loss of their child. For others, it's just once or twice. For some, they just keep coming. Pregnant moms are welcome- the moms in the group know that being pregnant after losing a child is difficult, too.

HOPE means Helping Other Parents Endure, and Meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 7-8:30pm in the Teen Sunday School room at Church of the Word in Gainesville.

Here's more from Robin:
All who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, infant loss or SIDS death, whether recently or in the past, including

those who have felt such a loss through someone close to them, are welcome to participate.

The goal of this informal group is to provide a safe and supportive environment for exploration of changes brought to

our lives by the loss of a pregnancy or death of an infant. The group meets monthly on a drop-in basis. All are

welcome to attend regularly or whenever you feel the need for support.

For Additional Information Please Contact:
HOPE Helping Other Parents Endure Virginia

Robin L. Schroeder: 703-615-3725 (RobinLSchroeder@verizon.net)

Betty Connal: 703-955-6899 (sidsma27@aol.com / www.sidsma.org)

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