Why She Was Nominated:

“Dr. Jackie” has practiced pediatric dentistry in Manhat­tan for more than nine years. She started Murray Hill Pediatric Dentistry in June 2019 and plans to expand on Manhattan’s Upper East Side this year. In addition to instructing clinical students part-time at New York University, she’s a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Northeast Society of Pediatric Dentists and the New York Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Inspiration:

“My father, Dr. H. Arfaa, who recently passed away. He was a plastic, hand and reconstructive surgeon who immigrated to this country in 1960. He built a successful plastic-surgery practice in Maryland, and he was always my biggest supporter in anything I did.”

Most Memorable Patient:

“A severely autistic little boy. From the time he was 3, his father had to hold him down for every cleaning or filling. As he got older, he learned to trust me wholeheartedly. Even though he’s nonverbal, he now understands that I’m only trying to help him, and he allows me to do cleanings and fillings on him.”