When Kimberli Leal-Eways and her family moved to Essex Fells three years ago, they immediately felt at home in the quiet, welcoming community. “We love the peaceful nature of Essex Fells and how it is such a close-knit community,” she shares. That sense of connection and care resonates deeply with Kimberli, whose professional and personal life centers on helping others, especially children, feel safe, supported, and confident.

Kimberli’s journey in dentistry began at an unusually young age. At just 14 years old, she started working as a dental assistant in New Jersey. That early experience not only gave her practical skills but also sparked a passion that has never wavered. Determined to turn her calling into a lifelong career, she attended Columbia College of Dental Medicine and completed her pediatric dental residency at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia Dental.

Now a board-certified pediatric dentist, Kimberli has owned and operated her pediatric dental office in New York City for nearly a decade. She is proud to maintain the highest level of certification in her field and remains on the cutting edge of pediatric dentistry, from embracing new technologies to attending continuing education courses and annual conferences with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

What drives Kimberli most is her commitment to creating positive dental experiences for children. She recalls that her desire to specialize in pediatric dentistry was solidified during mission trips to Cambodia in dental school. “I have a true passion for working with kids and always make sure to treat each and every child as if they were my own,” she says.

Her approach centers on building trust and relationships with patients and their families. One of her most rewarding moments is seeing a once fearful child walk into her office smiling and eager for their appointment. “It is very gratifying when I am able to gain the trust of a child who is scared of the dentist,” Kimberli explains. “When they return with a smile on their face and are excited to see us, it makes our day.”

Although her career has flourished in New York City, Kimberli is especially excited about bringing her expertise closer to Essex Fells. She and her team are in the process of opening a second practice in Verona, located at 36 Park Avenue. For Kimberli, this expansion is more than a business move. It is a way to give back to the community her family calls home.