“I practice with one goal in mind: to make kids feel comfortable here,” says 13-time New Jersey Monthly Top Dentist Dr. Mary Jo McGuire. With her calm, gentle, trust-building manner, this mother of five is equal parts dental specialist and empathetic parent. She knows that kids, even when they’re upset or nervous, respond best to a positive approach.

“My staff and I treat each child with kindness and compassion,” says Dr. McGuire. And with appealing perks like video games, prizes, and overhead TVs, kids quickly discover that visiting the dentist is lots of fun. “The innocent, honest things kids say make us laugh. Spending time with them is the best part of my day,” she says.

Dr. McGuire began her career as a dental hygienist and returned to college to study pediatric dentistry. She graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry and the University of Texas Health Science Center. Dr. McGuire, who is celebrating more than 18 years of solo practice, stresses a prevention-oriented approach that encourages healthy eating habits to maintain optimum oral health. “I lay a solid dental foundation so children become really good adult patients with beautiful, problem-free teeth,” she says. “It’s gratifying to make a difference in their lives.”