Meet The All Star Team
Dr. Katherine Bracy
Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist & Certified Lactation Counselor
I have never thought of children as small adults, but rather as beings with their own desires and needs so full of potential. The long-standing paradigm is that we are collectively victims of our own genetic makeup. In dentistry, specifically, if our parents had “bad” teeth, we would have “bad” teeth. If our parents needed braces, we would need braces. The potential in children is already predetermined at birth. As a dentist, I felt defeated. I wanted to be able to provide my families with tools to actively better themselves, not just passively sit by as nature takes its course. In the meantime, I was becoming a parent myself. I was desiring for my children to not be different from who they are, but to be the best versions of themselves. I was learning how important a good night’s sleep is to growth and development. I was learning ways to instill healthy habits into my children’s daily routine. How could I not share this information with our patients and parents? My goal is to provide families with as many tools as I can to better their lives.
Formal and Continuing Education
- Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC)
- Former Attending, Rose F. Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
- Diplomate, The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, St. Barnabas Hospital
- Chief Resident
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Dr. Bracy firmly believes that staying current with the latest advancements in dentistry is essential to providing the best possible care to our valued patients. She has undertaken specialized courses and training in a variety of areas, including ankyloglossia & frenectomies, as well as multiple pediatric sleep and airway courses, allowing her to provide comprehensive care for children, addressing both their dental needs and overall well-being.
Dr. Cindy Chay
Dual-Certified Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist
My 2nd daughter, Serena, was born with a severe tongue-tie and I was unable to breastfeed. The attending physician informed me that she would grow out of it and bottle feeding was always an option. But as Serena continued to grow, I knew something was wrong. She soon became a chronic mouth breather. Her upper jaw was narrow and I saw early signs of dental crowding. As I started searching for answers, I learned that her condition wasn’t temporary. Something bigger was going on. And it was affecting the growth of her jaws, which was impacting her overall health. This was the start of my airway journey.
What causes dental crowding? Why can some babies latch and thrive while others can’t? What causes ADHD and is there an airway relationship? I soon found myself heading back to residency, this time in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics as well as attending multiple mini-residencies that focused on growth and development and the airway. Things started to make sense as a mom and as a pediatric orthodontist.
At this point, I cannot unsee what I’ve already experienced and learned. As a result, my treatment philosophy and approach changed significantly. It’s no longer just about the teeth, but more about the child attached to it. Every child has a story. And my hope is that I can help them thrive with proper growth guidance of the jaws and face, ultimately improving their quality of life, as I did for my daughter, Serena.
Formal Education and Continuing Education
- Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, NYU Langone Medical Center
- Chief resident
- Awarded Theodore L. Jerrold award in recognition for outstanding achievement
- Diplomate, The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, Montefiore Medical Center
- Chief resident
- Awarded Leo M. Davidoff Society for excellence in teaching
- Fellow, Rose F. Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
- General Practice Resident, Hackensack University Medical Center
- Doctor of Dental Medicine, UMDNJ (now Rutgers)
- Masters in Public Health, UMDNJ (now Rutgers)
Dr. Cindy’s dedication to staying at the forefront of dental advancements and her commitment to lifelong learning exemplify our practice’s mission to provide the best possible care for our patients. In addition to her formal residency training, she has taken numerous continuing education courses including areas in Pediatric and Adult Sleep and Airway, Soft Tissue Dysfunction, and Maxillary Skeletal Expanders (MSE/MARPE) to ensure that her growing patients receive comprehensive care that goes beyond traditional orthodontics.
Meet the Team
Professional Affiliations
