If you ever think dentists just clean teeth and fill cavities, you haven’t met Dr. Jolee Roberts. She’s a general dentist in New Jersey with over ten years of experience. But she says her work is about more than just fixing teeth.
“It’s a relationship,” she says. “I want people to feel heard when they sit in my chair.”
Dr. Roberts didn’t take her path lightly. She studied biology in college with a focus on pre-dental sciences. Science made sense to her. She liked solving problems and working with people. So dentistry felt like a good match.
“It combined everything I was good at,” she says. “Science, hands-on work, and helping people.”
She went on to dental school and graduated with honors. After that, she did a General Practice Residency. This helped her get more training in things like oral surgery and emergencies. It also gave her confidence.
“School gives you the knowledge,” she says. “But real-world experience teaches you how to apply it.”
Now she runs a practice that does a bit of everything. Cleanings, fillings, crowns, veneers, and even pediatric care. She says every patient is different, so every treatment is too.
“There’s no one-size-fits-all in dentistry,” she says. “What works for one person won’t work for another.”
Dr. Roberts spends a lot of time working with anxious patients. Some people are scared of the dentist. She understands that and tries to make them feel comfortable.
“I’ve had patients cry from relief after a visit,” says Dr. Jolee Roberts “Just because they finally felt safe.”
She uses modern tools like laser dentistry and digital x-rays. These make treatments quicker and more comfortable. But she’s clear that tools aren’t the full story.
“Technology is great,” she says. “But listening is still the most powerful tool I have.”
What makes Dr. Roberts stand out is her focus on communication. She believes patients need to understand what’s happening in their mouths. She doesn’t just tell them what to do—she teaches them why.
“If people know the ‘why,’ they’re more likely to take care of their teeth,” she says.
Education is a big part of her work. Not just continuing her own training, but educating patients too. She’s a member of the ADA, NJDA, and the AGD. She regularly takes courses to stay current.
“There’s always something new in dentistry,” she says. “It’s a field that doesn’t stand still.”
Outside the office, she volunteers in the community. She helps at local clinics and visits schools to teach kids about oral health. She believes everyone deserves access to care.
“Health shouldn’t be a luxury,” she says. “Especially not oral health.”
When she’s not working, Dr. Roberts enjoys quiet time. She hikes local trails and spends time with her family and rescue dog. She also reads a lot and keeps active.
“Hiking clears my head,” she says. “It gives me space to think.”
She doesn’t see herself as special. She just tries to do the best job she can, every day. But for the people she treats, that makes all the difference.
“I’m just doing my part,” she says. “One patient, one visit at a time.”
Dentistry, for her, is both science and service. It’s technical, but also personal. And while the tools may change, the purpose stays the same.
“My goal is simple,” she says. “Keep people healthy and help them smile.”
She doesn’t talk much about awards or achievements. That’s not what motivates her. What matters to her is how people feel when they leave her office.
“I want them to feel better than when they came in,” she says. “That’s success to me.”
In a world of fast answers and quick fixes, Dr. Roberts reminds us that care takes time. And that real change starts with listening.
“Dentistry is just one way I help,” she says. “But I hope it makes a difference.”
Read more:
Inside the Mind of a Dentist: Meet Dr. Jolee Roberts
