Meet The Team
Gentle, experienced pediatric dentists and a caring team, all under one roof.
Dr. Radhika Kapoor
Founder & CEO, Hoboken Smile Specialists and Smile Wellness
Integrative Dentist | Board-Certified Pediatric Laser Dentist
Dr. Radhika Kapoor, a New York City native and New Jersey resident, is a compassionate and accomplished board-certified pediatric dentist who has been dedicated to providing gentle, patient-focused care for children and families. With an extensive background in laser dentistry, early orthodontics, and airway health, Dr. Kapoor blends cutting-edge techniques with an integrative approach to oral wellness.
She trained at Barnard College and Columbia University, completed her pediatric dental residency at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., has practiced laser dentistry since 2018, and completed a surgical fellowship under Dr. Soroush Zaghi.
Dr. Rucha Thakkar, DDS, BDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Rucha Thakkar believes that a child’s early dental experiences can shape how they feel about oral health for years to come. She especially enjoys helping nervous children feel safe, comfortable, and confident in the dental chair. Using a playful, age-appropriate approach, she explains each step in words children understand, moves at their pace, and turns unfamiliar moments into something less intimidating. She also works closely with parents, offering practical guidance that makes healthy habits easier to continue at home.
Growing up in India, Dr. Rucha saw how limited early dental education could lead to preventable problems later in life. Together with her love of working with children, this inspired her to help young patients build knowledge, trust, and positive habits from the start.
Dr. Rucha earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Gujarat University and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry, where she completed the Pediatric Dentistry Honors Program and served as president of the Pediatric Dentistry Club. She completed her pediatric dentistry residency at One Brooklyn Health’s Brookdale Hospital, receiving hospital-based specialty training in caring for children with a wide range of dental needs.
Beyond the office, Dr. Rucha has participated in school-based dental programs, international outreach, and advocacy through the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She speaks English, Hindi, and Gujarati.
Outside dentistry, Dr. Rucha is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer. She lives in DUMBO with her husband and their cat, Gigi.
Dr. Salmiyeh Khan, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Salmiyeh Khan is a board-eligible pediatric dentist who is passionate about caring for children and creating positive dental experiences from an early age.
She believes that building a trusting relationship with each child and family is the cornerstone of fostering a lifelong appreciation for oral health. She understands that every child is unique and strives to meet each patient where they are on their individual dental journey.
After growing up in Bergen County, Dr. Salmiyeh Khan received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Barnard College of Columbia University, where she specialized in Toddler Development, and went on to earn her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from NYU College of Dentistry. She completed her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she gained extensive experience caring for children with a wide range of dental and medical needs with an emphasis on holistic and evidence-based practices.
Outside of the office, Dr. Salmiyeh Khan lives with her husband and their black cat, Luna. They are currently enjoying the adventure of updating their 100-year-old home. She loves discovering new coffee shops, traveling, and baking — and if she’s not baking, you can probably find her watching The Great British Bake Off. Her next travel destination is Copenhagen, where she is especially looking forward to exploring the city’s coffee shops and sampling its many treats.
Dr. Salmiyeh Khan looks forward to getting to know each patient and family and helping make their dental journey a positive one!
Jennifer Hotaling, RDH
Hygienist, Advanced Training in Myofunctional Therapy
Jennifer Hotaling is a dedicated Registered Dental Hygienist and Myofunctional Therapist at Smile Wellness, where she combines her expertise in dental care with a passion for improving patients’ overall health through myofunctional therapy. Jennifer specializes in the connection between oral health, improved breathing patterns, muscle function, and enhanced overall wellness. She works closely with the top professionals in the field (SLPs, PTs, OTs, etc.) to provide a well-rounded treatment plan that supports both dental and overall health, ensuring lasting results.
Jennifer graduated from her Dental Hygiene program in 2018 and is a graduate of the MyoMasterminds program from the Breathe Institute, and has further advanced her skills through continuing education courses by TalkTools and Robyn Merkel-Walsh.
