Arpi Patel Khare, DDS, MSD
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Arpi Khare is the proud owner of Arlington Pediatric Dentistry and a Board Certified pediatric dentist. She was raised in Virginia and attended the University of Virginia for her undergraduate degree. She then went on to the University of Maryland for her dental degree, where she graduated magna cum laude at the top of her class. Following dental school, she completed an additional two years of pediatric dental training at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has been practicing in the DMV area for more than five years and was voted a top dentist by her peers in “Washingtonian” magazine in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Dr. Arpi has always loved being around kids and takes great pride in being able to care for your children in her practice. Having two young sons herself, she will always treat your children with the experience of a pediatric dentist but the heart of a mom. She is excited to meet all of the families at APD!
Dr. Arpi is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Virginia Dental Association and the Northern Virginia Dental Society.
Jeemin Chang, DMD
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Jeemin Chang grew up in Massachusetts and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, earning his Bachelor of Science. Then he continued his study at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) with honors. Dr. Chang completed his specialty training in pediatric dentistry at BronxCare Health System in New York City and served as a chief resident.
Dr. Chang’s goal is not only to provide the highest quality of dental care in a personable and compassionate manner but also to create a positive experience for the patients. He strives to earn trust from his patients and make dental visits fun for all children.
In his spare time, Dr. Chang enjoys playing golf, skiing, watching sports and traveling with his wife.
Deepa Pandian, DMD
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Deepa is a board-certified pediatric dentist who has had over 17 years of experience practicing family dentistry and almost 10 years specializing in working with children of all ages, always making sure patients feel comfortable and have the best smiles.
Dr. Deepa attended the University of California San Diego, where she received her Bachelor of Science in animal physiology and neuroscience. Her desire to use science to help others would lead her to do a couple of years of cancer research in San Diego and to earn her master’s degree in physiology from Loma Linda University (LLU) in California. Her studies at LLU introduced her to dentistry, which was a natural fit for her because she loves working with people and making people smile. She completed her Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Florida and came back to practice dentistry in southern California. After some years of practicing general and family dentistry, Dr. Deepa found her true passion, which was working with children. Recognizing that she wanted to better serve the children in her community, she formally finished her pediatric dental specialty training at the NYU Lutheran Medical Residency site in San Diego, associated with Rady Children’s Hospital, so that she could work with all children, including those with medical and behavioral special needs. Dr. Deepa is passionate about working with children early and at all stages so that they feel comfortable with their future experiences in the dental office and confident in their oral health, themselves and their smiles.
Dr. Deepa is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She holds memberships with the American Dental Association®, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as local memberships in the same associations, and she stays up to date with the latest advances in general and pediatric dentistry through conferences and continuing education classes to make sure that her patients have the best care available.
Dr. Deepa speaks both English, Spanish and even some French. When she is not seeing patients, she loves spending time with her family and friends. Her hobbies include music, hiking, cooking, piano and traveling. She is also a big Disney, comics and sports fan. Most of all, Dr. Deepa is dedicated to making sure her patients have the best experience so that they always leave smiling and have an amazing future.
Carlos M. Cruz-Chu, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Cruz hails from Lima, Peru. He received his DDS degree from the University Cayetano Heredia in Lima. He completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and subsequently completed a two-year fellowship program at the school. Upon completion of the program, he was awarded a faculty appointment. During his tenure at the University, Dr. Cruz continued to practice dentistry at the community health center. He then completed a two-year pediatric dentistry residency at the University of Puerto Rico. In 2013, he moved to Virginia and joined Arlington Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Cruz-Chu believes that it is essential that all children have access to quality professional dental care. He strives to minimize the anxiety children may foster when visiting the dentist so as to form lifelong habits of regular dental visits and good dental hygiene.
Dr. Cruz-Chu is a Board Certified pediatric dentist and a member in good standing of the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Cruz-Chu speaks fluent Spanish.
Erin Mahoney, DDS
Orthodontist
Dr. Erin Mahoney is a board-certified orthodontist at Arlington Pediatric Dentistry. She realized the impact orthodontics can have on someone’s life through her own experience with braces; her new smile boosted her self-confidence and allowed her to be more outgoing. It was from this young age of 10 that she was inspired to become an orthodontist so she could have that same effect on others.
Dr. Mahoney was raised in Maryland and started her dental experience as an orthodontic assistant at the age of 17. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park for her undergraduate degree. She then went to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry for dental school, graduating magna cum laude. Dental school is also where she met her classmate, roommate and dear friend, Dr. Arpi Khare. Dr. Mahoney completed a three-year orthodontic residency at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia and has been practicing in the Baltimore area since 2016. She is skilled in early intervention (Phase I) orthodontic treatment, functional growth appliances, traditional braces, Invisalign® and orthognathic jaw surgery.
Dr. Mahoney is a board-certified orthodontist — a voluntary credential that represents an orthodontist’s personal and public commitment to the standards of specialty practice and lifelong learning. In addition to her formal education, Dr. Mahoney attends many continuing education seminars year-round. She focuses her attention on courses that offer training in the latest orthodontic technology to decrease treatment time and increase esthetics.
Dr. Mahoney is eager to bring out the beauty in her patients’ smiles while providing personalized care and individually tailored treatment plans. In her spare time, she loves to travel to new cities, both near and far, to absorb their culture and, of course, cuisine. She also enjoys interior decoration, yoga and walks with her rescue puppy, Otto.
Dr. Mahoney is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists®, the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association®.