Meet our dream team

All About Kids doctor’s team is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teen years. As pediatric dental specialists, we treat each child uniquely. Our goal is to provide the most pleasant experience for you and your child while also providing you high-quality dentistry. We are here to make sure you always have a healthy and big smile.

Dr. Helene Strazza

When Dr. Helene Strazza was 14, her orthodontist found an extra adult tooth in her mouth that needed to be extracted by the oral surgeon. It was then that Dr. Helene understood how "Cool" dentistry can be! She later went on to study pre-dental, psychology and child development in college (SUNY Geneseo) where she enjoyed being involved in a major research project dealing with sibling and peer relationships in young children.

Dr. Strazza next attended Temple Dental School and later joined the United States Navy as a general dentist for five years. She earned the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) and had the privilege of caring for the members of our Armed Services along with their children.

  • Afterward, she completed her Pediatric Dental Residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital and earned the title of Chief Resident. She later worked as a part-time Attending, teaching pediatric dental residents. She continues to lecture throughout the country on "Kid Kulture," and practice management to dentists and pediatric dental residents.

    Pediatric dentistry is the perfect fit for Dr. Strazza as it combines her kid-at-heart personality with her passion for dentistry, psychology, and working with children. She is extremely committed to providing a kid-friendly, fun, inviting environment, where children and their parents can enjoy coming to receive quality dental care.

    Dr. Strazza is the founder, Chief Dentist, and designer of All About Kids. When she is not working on continuing to make AAK a great place, she can often be found spending quality time with her family and friends, enjoying water sports, outreach, and volunteering. She is also currently working on her new children's book about the adventures of our AAK mascots Chomps and Don Franko!

Dr. Shah

We are excited to welcome Dr. Megha Shah as Managing Practice Director at our All About Kids, Danbury location. Dr. Shah loves working with children and takes pride in making their dental experience positive and fun. She has an entertaining personality and gets children excited about their dental care, helping them develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Dr. Shah takes the time to establish lasting and trusting relationships with each one of her patients, treating every child as if they were her own. She has been named “NJ Favorite Kid’s Doc” by NJ Family Magazine and “Top Doc” by the Consumer Research Council.

  • Dr. Shah received her dental degree from the University of Maryland, and did her residency and specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center in NYC. . While in dental school, Dr. Shah completed several outreach missions in underserved communities, namely Operation Smile in Vietnam, the Native Americans in Chinle, Arizona, and the rural areas of Maryland. A board certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Shah is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD), American Dental Association (ADA), and Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA). She spends most of her free time with her husband and their two children, and enjoys eating foods from around the world, traveling, and the outdoors. Dr. Shah is fluent in both Spanish and Hindi.

Dr. Shiva

Dr. Shiva Basir is a board-certified pediatric dentist who believes dentistry should be a fun experience for children. Her goal is to provide the best care to her young patients in a gentle manner. She is committed to ensuring good oral health habit formation by supporting and guiding patients and their parents. Dr. Shiva graduated from Columbia University with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery. She completed her AGPR at the NY Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. While in practice as a general dentist, she discovered her joy and natural ability to work with children.

  • Dr. Shiva did two years of post-doctoral training specializing in pediatrics at Saint Joseph's Regional Hospital in Paterson, NJ. When not practicing dentistry, she enjoys yoga, surfing, skiing, and spending time with her friends and family.

Dr. Kim

Dr. You-Na Kim grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and attended Simon Fraser University where she graduated with an Honors degree in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. She completed her dental education at New York University College of Dentistry graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and then pursued her specialty training at NYU earning a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Kim is a Board Certified pediatric dentist who found her passion in Pediatric Dentistry while she was treating children in Oaxaca, Mexico on her dental mission trips. She provided free dental care in the local underserved community and implemented educational programs to local schools.

  • She has also visited elementary and middle schools in Hudson, New York, and Machias, Maine, to provide definitive dental care to an underserved population. Dr. Kim’s goal is to provide the highest quality dental care to every child in a personable and compassionate manner, as if he/she is her own child. She finds it extremely fulfilling to transform children’s perceptions and experiences in dentistry into positive and pleasant ones. Dr. Kim is certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS). She is currently an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association. During her free time, Dr. Kim enjoys cooking, working out, swimming, traveling, and going to concerts.

Dr. Jawa

Dr. Aarti Jawa loves working with children and teens and helping them create healthy, life-long dental habits. Dr. Jawa was born and raised in India and received her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from Sri Ramachandra University, Chennai. She completed her advanced standing DMD program at Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston University, in 2014. Dr. Jawa keeps herself updated with advancements in dentistry and spends hundreds of hours every year participating in continuing dental education. She recently completed her advanced training in surgical and restorative implant dentistry at Rutgers University, New Jersey.

  • When not at work, Dr. Jawa loves to spend quality time with family. Her hobbies include exploring new places, traveling, cooking and music. She speaks Hindi and Punjabi.

Dr. Jefferies

Dr. Jefferies was born in Belgium, but spent most of her life in Alabama. She earned her B.S. degree in Biochemistry and French minor from Rhodes College (Memphis, TN), and received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry. After working as a General Dentist for a few years, she returned to school and completed a residency in Pediatric Dentistry at UAB, and served as chief resident.

Dr. Jefferies is a board-certified Pediatric Dentist, who has a very special place in her heart for all her patients.

  • As the sibling to someone with special needs, she has the compassion and enthusiasm to help every child, and their parents, become less fearful of the dentist while helping them have healthy smiles!

    In her free time, Dr. Jefferies enjoys spending time with her husband and son, cooking new recipes, and eating food from around the world.

Dr. Boorin

Martin R. Boorin, DMD, is an experienced, residency-trained dentist anesthesiologist who has been in practice for over 23 years. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine and subsequently completed a one-year general practice dental residency followed by a two-year residency in dental anesthesiology at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY. Dr. Boorin is a diplomate of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology.

  • Dr. Boorin is currently a clinical assistant professor in the departments of Hospital Dentistry and Dental Anesthesiology of the SUNY Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, and is jointly appointed in the Department of Anesthesiology, Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY. He provides didactic instruction and clinical supervision to dental anesthesiology, pediatric dental, general practice residents, and dental students. Dr. Boorin has been an active participant and educator in the recently developed and accredited dental anesthesiology resident training program at SUNY Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine and Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook, NY. Dr. Boorin is active in and has lectured before numerous regional and national professional organizations.

Dr. Ganz

Dr. Ganz is a Connecticut native and grew up locally in Fairfield County. He is a board-certified orthodontist who enjoys providing the highest quality of care to all his patients. He earned his B.S. from the University of Michigan and attended the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine for his doctorate. Following dental school, he completed his residency and earned a Certificate in Orthodontics at New York University in New York City. In his free time, Dr. Ganz loves to travel and stay active. He has traveled to Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Guatemala with outreach groups.

  • He is an avid skier, hiker, tennis, soccer, and golf player. As a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Board of Orthodontics, he continues to further his knowledge in the field of orthodontics with the latest literature. He looks forward to meeting you and building healthy, confident, beautiful smiles!

Dr. Joe

Dr. Joseph DeSantis, commonly referred to as Dr. Joe, is a board-certified orthodontist celebrated for his exceptional skills in transforming smiles. His dedication to his profession is evident in how he uniquely blends expertise, compassion, and attentiveness in each case. He began his educational journey at Northeastern University in Boston, where he pursued his undergraduate degree. He later attended SUNY Stony Brook for his doctorate, followed by a residency in Orthodontics at New York University.

  • His time at these institutions solidified his love for the profession, laying the foundation for his future success in creating beautiful smiles and positively impacting the lives of his patients. In his spare time, Dr. Joe enjoys cooking for his wife Kathleen, participating in trivia, watching movies, and engaging in continuing education in orthodontics.

Dr. Raymond

Dr. Ray Dawkins, a compassionate and dedicated pediatric dentist, was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. From a young age, he discovered his passion for working with children, starting as a swim instructor at the YMCA at the age of 15. This early experience laid the foundation for his journey into dentistry, where he found a natural fit in pediatrics. Dr. Dawkins earned his dental degree from the prestigious University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry, where he pursued a dual DMD and MBA program.

  • Building on his foundational knowledge, he further honed his skills by completing a two-year specialty training in pediatric dentistry at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
    Embracing the vibrant environment of the northeast, Dr. Dawkins decided to stay and practice in Connecticut, drawn by the opportunity to continue making a difference in the lives of children and families. With an unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality of care, he strives to make dental visits a fun and enjoyable experience for young patients. Dr. Dawkins believes in the power of guidance and education, actively involving both patients and parents in the importance of oral health.

    While dentistry is his primary focus, Dr. Dawkins leads a well-rounded life outside of his profession. He finds joy in music, both as a listener and a DJ, exploring the bustling streets of NYC, and indulging in the enchanting world of Harry Potter. These diverse interests fuel his creativity and allow him to connect with patients on a personal level.

    Excited to be a part of the All About Kids team, Dr. Ray Dawkins eagerly looks forward to meeting you and your family. With his expertise, genuine care, and commitment to fun-filled dental experiences, he strives to ensure that every child feels comfortable and empowered throughout their oral health journey.

Dr. Laurent

Dr. Laurent, a highly accomplished dentist, hails from the vibrant city of Brooklyn, NY. He earned his B.S. degree in Human Biology from the esteemed University at Albany in New York, followed by his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington D.C. Driven by his passion for dentistry, he completed both a general practice and pediatric residency at BronxCare Health System, where he also served as chief resident for both programs.

  • With his well-rounded education and diverse clinical experiences, Dr. Laurent is equipped with a comprehensive skill set to provide exceptional dental care to patients of all ages.

    Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Laurent embraces a balanced and fulfilling life. When he is not diligently tending to his patients, he finds joy in exploring the world alongside his wife, discovering new destinations and cultures through travel. Additionally, Dr. Laurent is an avid food enthusiast, constantly seeking out new culinary experiences and savoring diverse cuisines. Through his commitment to continuous learning, compassionate approach, and genuine dedication to patient well-being, Dr. Laurent has earned a reputation as a trusted dentist who strives for excellence in all aspects of his practice.

Book an appointment

Let's put it on the calendar. All About Kids offers a wide range of services for children. We begin seeing patients when they are one year old, and we continue to see them until they are young adults, as old as 21 years of age.