Dr. Roshni Dhruva, owner and founder of Pebble Pediatric Dentistry in Glenside, launched her practice in March.

A parent of two young children (ages five and three), Dr. Roshni created a special room specifically for first visits and for children who may feel anxious about going to the dentist. The room is filled with fun toys and kid-friendly dental activities to create a playful, welcoming environment where children can feel comfortable and safe.

“One thing that makes this space especially unique is that there is no dental chair in the room. We understand that the sight of a dental chair can feel intimidating, not just for children, but for adults as well. Many of us grew up with less-than-positive dental experiences, and I am passionate about changing that experience for the next generation,” Dr. Roshni said. “I understand the daily struggles and victories that come with raising kids. That personal experience allows me to connect with families in a genuine way and provide not only evidence-based recommendations, but also realistic and achievable goals when it comes to children’s dental health,” she said.

Dr. Roshni said Pebble Pediatric Dentistry encourages children to practice autonomy and feel empowered during their visits.

“We believe that helping kids feel heard and respected is an important part of raising kind, confident individuals. You’ll often hear our team reminding children, ‘This is your body, and if there’s anything you don’t like, please raise your hand because you are in control,’” she said.

A board-certified pediatric dentist and a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Roshni noted that Pebble Pediatric Dentistry’s goal is to help children build trust, confidence, and positive associations with visiting the dentist from the very beginning. Her practice features advanced, state-of-the-art dental technology, including single-tooth anesthesia—a computer-assisted system for delivering local anesthesia more comfortably and precisely.

She also strongly believes in minimally invasive treatment and uses advanced techniques such as ICON to treat white spot lesions without the need for drilling.

“This approach helps preserve healthy tooth structure while improving the appearance of the teeth in a gentle, conservative way,” she said. “At Pebble Pediatric Dentistry, we focus on prevention and minimally invasive care. My treatment philosophy is evidence-based, thoughtful, and centered around what is truly best for each child. I would never recommend or perform a treatment on your child that I wouldn’t choose for my own children.”

Read on to learn more about Pebble Pediatric Dentistry and Dr. Roshni:

What made you get into pediatric dentistry?

What made me pursue pediatric dentistry is the unique opportunity to create positive dental experiences for children at an early age. Research consistently shows that children who have positive dental experiences are more likely to maintain strong oral hygiene habits and experience less dental anxiety as adults. Building a foundation of trust and comfort early in life can greatly reduce the likelihood of avoiding dental care later on.

That philosophy is exactly what inspired the name of our practice- Pebble Pediatric Dentistry. Just like pebbles create a strong foundation, we strive to build a foundation for a lifetime of good oral health for the children in our community.

How long have you been practicing?

I graduated from NYU College of Dentistry in 2015 and then completed an additional two-year residency specializing in Pediatric Dentistry, where I served as Chief Resident. I completed my residency training in 2017 and have been practicing pediatric dentistry for about nine years.

My experience includes both private practice and academia. I previously served as a faculty member at Penn Dental Medicine, where I lectured dental students and helped train future pediatric dentists.

I’m also deeply passionate about community and global outreach. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Grenada, Nepal, and Cambodia to provide dental care to children in underserved communities around the world. Those experiences were incredibly humbling and reinforced my commitment to making dental care a positive and accessible experience for every child.

What is the most rewarding element of your work?

The most rewarding part of my work is partnering with parents and families to care for their children. At the core of our practice is the goal of empowering kids to have confident smiles through positive dental experiences.

I often talk about “progress over perfection” and strive to create an environment that is completely judgment-free, supportive, and centered around prevention. I love working together with families to help children build healthy habits, confidence, and comfort at the dentist from an early age.

What made you want to open your own practice in Glenside?

Glenside is such an incredible community filled with wonderful families and children. While there are many excellent dental providers in the area, I recognized an opportunity to create a pediatric dental practice that offers a more personalized and relationship-centered approach for each family.

I was excited to bring that experience to the community by creating a true “dental home”- a place where families feel welcomed, supported, and heard, and where children feel safe, comfortable, and excited to come to the dentist.

What separates Pebble Pediatric from others?

What sets Pebble Pediatric Dentistry apart is our personalized, relationship-centered approach to care. We truly take the time to get to know each child and family so that every visit feels comfortable, supportive, and tailored to their individual needs.

From the moment you walk through our doors, you’ll notice the difference. Our administrative and clinical teams are dedicated to creating a warm, welcoming environment where families feel at ease – almost like visiting friends rather than a dental office.

I am very intentional about building a team that reflects the values of kindness, compassion, and positivity. Every team member is chosen not only for their skills, but also for the warmth and friendliness they bring to each patient experience. Our goal is for every family to feel that sense of comfort and care the moment they walk in. I assure you that you will feel that warmth the minute you walk in!

For more on Pebble Pediatric Dentistry, located at 361 Highland Avenue #203 in Abington Township, you can visit their Google page, Facebook page, and Instagram page.

Note: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children see a pediatric dentist within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, and no later than their first birthday.

Cavities remain the number one chronic infectious disease of childhood, but the important thing to remember is that they are entirely preventable. Early dental visits help establish a strong foundation for prevention, education, and lifelong oral health.

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