Our doctors pursue a higher calling.
That’s not a catch-phrase. Years ago, the pediatric dentists at Giggles and Grins decided to implement “Board Certification” to raise the level of care they provide. Here’s a closer look at how they’re different.
Dr. Sandra Armstrong
Born in Fort Stockton, Texas (aka the Wild, Wild West), Dr. Sandra Armstrong grew up in a succession of small towns. Eventually, she landed in Odessa, Texas, where the phrase “Friday Night Lights” took on a whole new meaning.
At just 15, Dr. Armstrong began working in a pediatric dental office… and she stayed there until her graduating year of college. (Obviously, “the calling” started early.) She developed a love for children and a fierce determination to eliminate their dental phobia. This is no small feat, but one she became very good at accomplishing!
She graduated from the University of Texas Permian Basin with a bachelor’s degree in Life Science and a minor in Chemistry. Then she set her sights on the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, where she received a Doctorate in Dental Surgery (beginning a lifelong quest for continuing education). Dr. Armstrong received two Graduate Merit Awards with her Doctor’s degree: one for the outstanding care of pediatric patients, and one for service to special-needs patients. Each of these helped set a course for the rest of her professional life.
After she received her dental degree, she attended the University of Texas Health Science Center Residency for pediatric dentistry. She added to that knowledge with extensive anesthesia and pediatric-medicine training at Herman Hospital, Ben Taub Hospital, MD Anderson Cancer Institute and Gulf States Hemophilia clinic.
In 1991, Dr. Armstrong decided to make Southlake her home and began Giggles and Grins. It’s been voted by her colleagues as one of the Top Five pediatric dental practices in the United States. She is Board Certified in Pediatric Dentistry – a distinction that helps set her practice apart.
According to Dr. Armstrong, “Giggles and Grins is enjoyable because our staff is fun. Our doctors are fun! We play games. we dance, we sing, we do cartwheels… whatever it takes. It touches me when patients that I first saw at the age of one send me graduation invitations, wedding invitations… and then come back with their babies. They’re family!”
Dr. Armstrong is a proud member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation, which provides dental care for underserved pediatric patients. Her extended interests have been wide-ranging, from the development of fluoride varnish to AIDS research. Companies like Proctor and Gamble and OMNII Oral Pharmaceuticals have turned to her as a consultant. She is a published author, editor and educator for the community, and she regularly participates in philanthropic organizations.
When she isn’t reading/running/biking, Dr. Armstrong spends her spare time with her husband Bruce and favorite mutts Happi and Solovino. Giggles and Grins consistently is voted by patients and parents as “Best of the Best”, “Who’s Who in Dentistry”, “Top Docs”, and “Mom Approved Doctor”.
Dr. Amy Watts
All pediatric dentists are not die-hard Texas Aggies. This one is. And if you ask her, she’ll say she came into the world that way.
Dr. Amy Watts was born in Bryan, Texas and grew up just south of Fort Worth. Because there was never any doubt, she attended Texas A&M University where she stood for entire football games, completed her undergraduate degree in three-and-a-half years, and graduated summa cum laude in 2001 with a BS in Biomedical Science.
Dr. Watts continued her education by attending The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She graduated magna cum laude from its dental school in 2006. Dr. Watts received many honors during this time, including multiple scholarships, Dean’s List, and the award for Excellence in Clinical Dentistry. She was also inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society.
Her educational journey led her to Columbus, Ohio, where she was very fortunate to work with many nationally-known instructors at The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Following a 24-month residency, Dr. Watts received a Master of
Science in Dentistry, as well as her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. Her clinical research was published in the Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, internationally-recognized as the leading journal in the field.
Dr. Watts has been recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry… a voluntary, multidisciplinary process that is specialty-specific. This achievement validates her expertise and helps ensure superior outcomes for the care she provides. Dr. Watts continually learns the latest in techniques and treatments, which keeps her at the forefront of evidence-based dentistry.
Dr. Watts is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, International Association of Dental Traumatology, Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, FWDDS Pediatric Dentistry Study Club, Greater Dallas Pediatric Dental Society and the Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
In explaining the difference at Giggles and Grins, she says, “I chose a career with children because they bring joy to each day. And I think the thing that surprises our first-time families is how much fun their children have. They want to come back! So I get to watch them grow. It’s an emotional experience to see these kids just grow up right before your eyes. It’s unique. It’s an honor.”
When she’s not in the office, you’ll find her and her husband Dane staying busy with their son, Evan, and their daughter, Ava. Dr. Watts loves to be outdoors, loves sports and loves traveling. (“And most of all, the Aggies. WHOOP!”)
Just don’t get her started about the band.
Dr. Alexis Capeci
Dr. Alexis Capeci was born and raised on the west side of Cincinnati, Ohio. She attended the University of Dayton for her undergraduate education, graduating magna cum laude in 2013 with a BS in Pre-Dentistry and minors in both Spanish and English.
Dr. Capeci continued her education by attending dental school at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry (“most all-time wins in college football — Go Blue!”). Here Dr. Capeci was involved in volunteer research and leadership opportunities that fueled her passion for working with children. Dr. Capeci received many awards throughout her tenure, including the award in pediatric dentistry upon her graduation in May 2017.
Like Dr. Watts, Dr. Capeci completed her training at The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. During her residency, Dr. Capeci had the opportunity to work with nationally-known faculty and received extensive training in all aspects of pediatric dentistry. Upon completion of her residency, Dr. Capeci received a Master of Science Degree for her research related to pediatric dental trauma.
Dr. Capeci is at Giggles and Grins because she loves kids. “When I was in dental school, I had the opportunity to shadow a pediatric dentist who saw special-needs patients in a hospital setting,” she says. “I just fell in love with the compassionate care he gave the kids, making them as comfortable as possible… and how they responded back to him as a result.”
That defining insight made her a great match for Giggles and Grins. In her words, “We understand that each child has individual needs, and that each parent has individual needs. We don’t have a cookie-cutter way of doing things.”
Dr. Capeci is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Texas Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Greater Dallas Pediatric Dental Society. When not in the office, she enjoys traveling, working out, and trying new foods.
Every day, Dr. Capeci creates the same kind of safe-and-welcoming environment she admired years ago. “Giggles and Grins is known for what the name implies. I just couldn’t imagine doing anything else. The kids always make me laugh, always have reactions you’d never expect. It’s a lot of fun,” she says.
She is excited to meet you!