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. Stefanie Scholz

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 daily 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.

ASHLEY

TREATMENT COORDINATOR

Ashley is one of the first and last smiling faces you’ll see when visiting our office. With over 6 years of expertise in coordinating treatment plans and ensuring seamless communication between patients and dental professionals, Ashley is a trusted point of contact. Her exceptional interpersonal skills shine as she adeptly handles patient inquiries and concerns. Recognized for her commitment to excellence, Ashley is dedicated to enhancing patient experiences by efficiently coordinating and optimizing the treatment process. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with the people she loves, gardening, and exploring the world. 

DENISE

TREATMENT COORDINATOR

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 for presenting treatment plans and reviewing insurance coverage and financial options with our patients. 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. 

HEATHER

REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT

Heather grew up in Wayne, NJ and graduated with her registered dental assisting license in 2015. She has a true passion for the dental field and that most definitely shines through her work. She is great at calming nerves, explaining treatment, and making your entire visit with us more enjoyable and comfortable. Heather is dedicated to expanding her knowledge about her profession and is also Smile Today’s Clinical Coordinator. She lives in Montclair with her cat and dog and enjoys spending time with her family and hiking.

ELISA

FRONT DESK ASSOCIATE

Elisa earned her Dental Assisting License in 2021, after years of dreaming of a career in dentistry. She recently relocated to New Jersey from Cambridge, MA where she grew up. Elisa works well with patients of all ages and is fluent in Spanish. She is incredibly dedicated to her patients and is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. She loves trying new restaurants and exploring her new home state with her daughter, Sofia. 

SARAH

DENTAL ASSISTANT

Sarah graduated Kean University with a BFA in 2016 and has been a dental assistant for over 4 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 RDA License. When Sarah is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and crocheting adorable plushies.

Meet the Doctors in Person