Dr. Shtivelman was born in Brooklyn and raised in the New York City area. She graduated magna cum laude from Wagner College with a degree in Biological Sciences, completing her studies in just three and a half years. Before beginning dental school, she spent her final semester volunteering and gaining hands-on experience in the dental field—an opportunity that further strengthened her passion for helping patients through dentistry.

She went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from the SUNY Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Shtivelman then completed her General Practice Residency at Staten Island University Hospital before pursuing specialized training in pediatric dentistry at Stony Brook University Hospital. During her time there, she served as Chief Resident and conducted research focused on improving access to dental care for patients with special needs. She also mentored dental students during their pediatric rotations, reflecting her dedication not only to patient care but also to supporting the next generation of dental professionals.

After the birth of her son, Dr. Shtivelman faced her own challenges with breastfeeding. That experience inspired her to deepen her understanding of how lip and tongue ties can affect breastfeeding, speech, and swallowing. When her son underwent treatment and the recommended stretches were completed, many of their initial feeding difficulties improved—motivating her to help other families facing similar challenges.

Since then, she has completed advanced training with leading experts including the American Laser Study Club. She is passionate about supporting parents and helping infants and children overcome feeding, speech, and oral function issues.