Dr. Jenn Luca, DMD, MS

Dr. Jenn created Little Roots Pediatric Dentistry to build the kind of dental home she wanted for families: one where children are treated with patience and kindness, parents feel heard, and prevention comes first.

Her approach is simple: every child is different, and their dental care should be, too. Whether it’s a baby’s first tooth, a nervous toddler’s first visit, or a teenager learning to take ownership of their oral health, Dr. Jenn takes the time to meet children where they are and help them feel comfortable and confident.

Why Little Roots?

For Dr. Jenn, Little Roots is about more than opening a dental office. It is an opportunity to rethink what pediatric dental care can look like.

As both a pediatric dentist and a mom, she understands how important it is for parents to have a provider they can trust. She believes families deserve thoughtful recommendations, clear explanations, and care that considers the whole child — not just their teeth.

That philosophy is also why prevention is at the heart of Little Roots. Dr. Jenn wants to help families establish healthy habits early, prevent dental disease whenever possible, and give children the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

And because healthy children depend on healthy communities and a healthy planet, sustainability is intentionally woven into the practice. Little Roots was designed to provide exceptional pediatric dental care while making thoughtful choices about waste, materials, travel, and the environmental impact of healthcare.

What families can expect

Visits with Dr. Jenn are never one-size-fits-all. Some children jump right into the dental chair. Others need a little more time, explanation, distraction, or encouragement — and that’s okay.

Dr. Jenn focuses on creating positive experiences and building trust over time. She wants children to understand what is happening, parents to feel comfortable asking questions, and families to leave feeling confident about the next step.

Most importantly, she wants kids to grow up seeing the dentist as someone who is on their team.

A passion for pediatric dentistry — and a healthier planet

Dr. Jenn’s interest in sustainability began during her training at Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where she helped co-found the school’s Sustainability Committee. During her pediatric dentistry training at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and The Ohio State University, she continued that work by founding a multidisciplinary Green Team focused on making healthcare more sustainable.

Her work has since grown beyond the clinic. Dr. Jenn has published research examining the environmental impact of treating early childhood cavities and has written and taught nationally about sustainability in dentistry.

That work helped shape one of the ideas behind Little Roots: the most sustainable dental treatment is often the treatment a child never needs. Preventing cavities means healthier kids, fewer procedures, and less of the travel, materials, and resources that come with treating dental disease.

Little Roots brings those two passions together — helping children grow healthy smiles while building a healthier future for the communities they will grow up in.

Professional background

Dr. Jenn completed her dental education at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and her specialty training in pediatric dentistry through The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

She remains involved in pediatric dental education as a part-time faculty member in pediatric dentistry at The Ohio State University/Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Her passion for education extends beyond the dental office. Dr. Jenn is a founder of My Dental Key, an online dental education platform designed to make high-quality dental education approachable and accessible to students and dental professionals.

Her professional interests include preventive pediatric dentistry, minimally invasive dentistry, sustainable healthcare, dental education, and finding practical ways to make high-quality dental care better for both patients and the planet.

Outside the office

When she’s not at Little Roots, Dr. Jenn loves spending time with her family and being outdoors. You’ll often find her out for a walk or bike ride, or training for her next triathlon. When she’s ready to slow things down, she loves getting lost in a good book — preferably with a fun-flavored latte in hand.

Opening Little Roots in West Michigan gives Dr. Jenn the opportunity to combine the things she cares about most: children, families, community, and creating something meaningful close to home.

She can’t wait to welcome your family to Little Roots and watch your child — and their smile — grow.