Maria Garcia, RDH – Registered Dental Hygienist

Maria Garcia has been a Dental Hygienist for sixteen years. She graduated from Eugenio Maria De Hostos Community College in the Bronx. Maria has gained invaluable experience in the care of patients of all ages; from healthy patients to medically complex patients suffering from periodontal disease. Her training includes local anesthesia administration, periodontal disease management and prevention, occlusion and clear aligner therapy, soft tissue and bone health, oral cancer screenings, teeth whitening, enamel wear & erosion, and enamel treatments.

Her pride and joy is taking care of her patients; educating and helping them maintain and improve their oral health. She is passionate about what she does and is also very gentle while treating her patients. Maria has one son and loves traveling all over the world.

Dana Hilsenrath, IBCLC – International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

I was drawn to lactation work after the birth of my twin boys in 2015. Following a high-risk pregnancy riddled with insecurity and a three-week-long NICU stay, my ability to successfully breastfeed was essential. Not only was it the best way I knew how to provide my babies with the utmost nutrition, comfort, and security, breastfeeding provided me with the much-needed opportunity to learn to trust my body again.

I’ll never forget the day that it all just seemed to click. My babies were nursing for the first time. I was amazed by the persistence of these two sweet, tiny boys. I was amazed by my body, providing them with perfectly-tailored nourishment. I was amazed at how, together, we learned how to navigate this new-to-us world. And while there certainly were moments of doubt, insecurity, and utter exhaustion, moments like those – the healing moments of intimacy, wonder, and unconditional love – made it all worth it.

However, the seven weeks of (literal!) blood, sweat, and tears that it took for us to get to that point nearly derailed us. Had it not been for an AMAZING support system: from my husband to my mother (a midwife), to my grandmother, family, and friends, we never could have gotten there. Not to mention the army of my mother’s many midwives and lactation consultant friends. It truly does take a village!

I am keenly aware that not everyone has the resources and support system that I am so lucky to have, which is why I am so passionate about accessible lactation support. I would be honored to accompany you on your breastfeeding journey and to be a member of your village.