NOT Like Pulling Teeth: A Visit to Dr. Bresler's Cavity Busters

It was time to take Caroline to her routine six month dentist appointment. While some parents may have to drag their children kicking and screaming to the dentist, my kids actually look forward to going to Doc Bresler's Cavity Busters.

Upon entering the office, you realize this is no ordinary dentist office! The sound of little hands banging furiously on white video arcade buttons echos across the room. In the corner, kids stand on plastic steps stools play Ms. Pacman, Donkey Kong 3 and Q-Bert.

An ocean of Nemo characters greets patients in the waiting room. My favorite is Crush (the sea turtle) and his son, Squirt. Bruce the Shark is showing off his new braces, courtesy of Doc Bresler, no doubt.

There is no shrieking drill or small closet size dental room. Instead, patients enter a door with Mr.Incredible's son, Dashiell, karate-kicking on it. This door leads to a large room with red, yellow and blue dental chairs. The kids get to pick out a toothbrush and receive prizes for being brave. The kids even choose their own flavor fluoride treatment: mint, orange or vanilla.

Caroline appeared grinning from ear to ear to show me her pearlly-white smile. In her hands, she held her treasures: a plastic fluorescent yellow bracelet, a red thumb ring that glittered, a red toothbrush and sticker.

Now I know why they call Doc Bresler's "the kids' dentist." Kids love to visit!

Doc Bresler's Cavity Busters is located at 6801 Ridge Avenue.

For more information go to www.cavitybusters.com or call:

215-483-6633.

Hansberry Garden and Nature Center Flea Market

Hansberry Garden and Nature Center is a beautiful community garden located on the corner of Wayne Avenue and Hansberry Street in the Germantown neighborhood. Its membership consists of wonderful neighbors with diverse backgrounds and gardening experience ranging from absolute beginners to experts.







They'll be holding their first Flea Market for the season on Saturday, May 9, 2009, from 10:00am-4:00pm, with a special plant sale for Mother's Day, an absolutely amazing selection of kids' books, adult fiction/non-fiction, and much more for prices as low as 25 cents, and an eccentric variety of flea market finds (toys, clothes, electronics, oddities) for great prices. There will also be a baked goods sale, a garden cafe selling refreshments, and an assortment of flea market vendors with tables packed with goodies.


This is so fun to take the kids to because the garden is such a family-friendly space- it's enclosed from traffic and has plenty of places for children to run around, toys to climb on, and plants to admire. I love taking my children for the morning, finding some great deals on children's picture books while they run around the garden plots. They get a special sweet treat made with love by one of the neighbors as we leave and everybody's happy.


Hansberry Garden will hold flea markets every second Saturday from May until September so if you miss this one be sure to check out next month's. This year they'll also be holding free gardening workshops from local garden enthusiasts during the flea markets, and possible kids' activities too. So come support local gardens and community with your family!


*Membership to the garden is only $15 a year (plus a small amount of work which can be joining a committee, attending meetings, and/or working a few hours in the garden) and members are given their very own plot to grow flowers or vegetables in this chemical-free community garden.