Meet Our Dental Team

We believe that fixing teeth is a small part of what we do but what we are truly passionate about is making people smile; whether it be with our contagious energy, gushing over mutual love or perhaps dislike of certain music, or even discussing life’s up and sometimes not-so-up moments. Make an appointment to come meet our dental team!

Dr. Shefali Pilar

Dr. Benjamin Hanft

Dr. Kruthika Swaminathan

ELIZABETH

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Elizabeth grew up in Kearny and graduated with a degree in Dental Hygiene from Bergen Community College. She has since enjoyed working in the dental field and educating her patients on how to achieve optimal health. Elizabeth loves interacting with patients and getting to know them on a personal level to truly make them feel like a part of our Smile Today family. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they have three adorable children and a cat, Ernie.

HARDI

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Hardi studied to become a dentist in India and came to the USA in 2008. She graduated from the NYU Dental Hygiene program in 2012 to pursue her desire to help people maintain healthy smiles. She finds working at Smile Today to be a lot of fun and is proud of the quality, pace, and professional care we deliver to the community. She has been married to her husband for 9 wonderful years and they love spending time with their two sons.

TATIANA

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Tatiana grew up in Bloomfield, NJ and is fluent in Spanish. She graduated with a degree in Dental Hygiene from Rutgers University. She is very passionate about the dental field and strives to make patients feel comfortable while in her chair. Tatiana enjoys getting to know her patients and educating them on how they can improve their oral health and maintain a beautiful smile. Tatiana enjoys spending her free time with her husband and their daughters.

PATRYCJA

DENTAL HYGIENIST

Patrycja grew up in Wallington and moved to Poland where her passion for dentistry began. She came back to the US in 2018 to pursue a degree in Dental Hygiene. She was a dental assistant for years prior to becoming a hygienist. Patrycja’s main focus is educating patients on how to improve their oral health while striving to develop a long lasting, meaningful relationship with them. She is married to her high school sweetheart and they both enjoy winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding. 

BEYELINE

PRACTICE ADMINISTRATOR

Beyeline grew up in New York where she began her dental career in July 2013 as a dental assistant. She is currently pursuing an Accounting Degree from SUNY Plattsburgh, while managing the practice and billing operations of both the Rutherford and Nutley  locations of Smile Today. Beyeline loves being a part of the Smile Today team because of its culture of friendship, great communication, and transparency.  During her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her son, Caleb.

DENISE

ASSISTANT MANAGER

Denise is one of the sweetest and most empathetic people you will meet at Smile Today. She grew up in Passaic Park with 2 other siblings. With over 5 years of experience in the dental profession, Denise’s top priority is to make our patient’s feel welcomed and cared for. She is responsible the daily operations of both our Nutley and Rutherford locations. Denise enjoys spending time with her family and being a plant mom. 

 

CHRISTINE

FRONT DESK COORDINATOR

Christine is a life-long Rutherford resident. She graduated cum laude from Montclair State University. She has been working in the dental profession since 2017 when she started overseeing the office of Dr. Carolyn Strassman in Rutherford. She looks forward to keeping those patient relationships as well as building new ones. Christine strives to make each patient’s dental experience as friendly and comfortable as possible. When she is not in the office, she is cheering on the Mets, going to the beach, and spending time with family and friends. 

SABRINA

TREATMENT COORDINATOR

Sabrina, a Jersey Shore native, has been in the healthcare industry for over 6 years. Sabrina enjoys helping our patients understand their dental insurance benefits and financial options. Her guidance and attention to detail provide a stress-free experience for our patients. When she is not working loves to travel, dine out and spend time outdoors. She values quality time with her husband and their two children.

CAROLINA

TREATMENT COORDINATOR

Carolina has been in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, with experience in the clinical and administrative end. She obtained her associate’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Berkeley College with honors. She loves connecting with patients and has a passion for striving and continuously growing while providing knowledge and resources patients need for their oral health and a beautiful smile she knows we all deserve. She has one son, who has inspired and motivated her since the day he was born to continue being the best version of herself inside and out. When not in the office, she enjoys reading, working out, and spending time with her loved ones and is a foodie at heart. 

NANCY

INSURANCE ASSOCIATE
With two decades of dedicated experience in the medical and dental industry, Nancy has established herself as a trusted and proficient professional in the field. Hailing from the Bronx, NY, Nancy’s journey began when she earned her certification in medical coding and billing from City College. Over the years, she has honed her skills and knowledge, becoming a vital asset to every team she has been a part of. Beyond her professional life, Nancy has a passion for makeup and is an avid dog lover.  Her compassion and dedication extend to her fur child, Lobo, with whom she enjoys spending her free time.

HEATHER

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Since 2016, Heather has been passionately serving as a registered dental assistant, deeply committed to the field of dentistry and dedicated to ensuring patients feel comfortable and cared for during their visits. As Smile Today’s Clinical Coordinator, Heather is also responsible for overseeing training, inventory management, and clinical workflow. Beyond her profession, she finds joy in outdoor activities, exploring new places through travel, and cherishing moments with her two dogs and cat.

SARAH

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Sarah graduated Kean University with a BFA in 2016 and has been a dental assistant for over 6 years. She truly loves interacting with our patients, getting to know them, and helping them feel comfortable in the dental setting. She has really enjoyed learning multiple new aspects of dentistry and is in pursuit of her dental hygiene license. When Sarah is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and crocheting adorable plushies.

Meet the Doctors in Person