A New Smile for Newark: How One Dentist Is Changing Patient Care on Lower Broadway

By: Richard L. Smith

When I visited the revamped dental office at 81 Broadway in Newark, I immediately noticed something different.

A senior patient hanging in the waiting room was anxious but not rushing out—she was relaxed, talking comfortably with the staff, and greeting the dentist as if she were a longtime neighbor. And in many ways, she was.

During my interview with Dr. Richa Vajpeyee , it became clear why this practice, once marked by complaints and inconsistencies, is now gaining a reputation for honest, steady, and compassionate care.

Her connection to this community began long before she purchased the office.

For years, she’s been treating patients across East Orange, Newark, Irvington, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Dr. VajPeyee lives just minutes away in Harrison.