Our Doctors

Dr Joseph

Dr. Johnny Joseph is a dynamic board-certified pediatric dentist and owner of the practice. Dr. Joseph and his team’s mission is to change and transform children's lives One Smile at a Time. Dr. Joseph is continuing and expanding on Dr. Elson's mission to reach more children and communities, including individuals with special health care needs. Dr. Joseph graduated from Stonehill College in Massachusetts, received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine (UCONN). His passion for children's oral health led him to complete a specialty residency in pediatric dentistry at NYU Langone Health in New York City. Dr. Joseph is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Dental Association.  Dr. Joseph is determined to minimize barriers to access quality pediatric dental care. The practice provides comprehensive pediatric dental treatment, safely and gently, under general anesthesia in one visit. He is on faculty of The University of The West Indies, Jamaica. He is a Global Dental Ambassador, promoting oral health and free dental treatment to children. Dr. Joseph is a visiting faculty of Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (UPMC). He is also a National Health Service Corps Scholar, treating children in underserved areas and individuals with special needs that would otherwise go without dental care.  He is fluent in French and conversational Spanish. He loves spending time with his family and friends, exploring nature (traveling, hiking, sunbathing, kayaking,), attending and playing drums at his church, and mentoring youth.

Dr Elson

Dr. Howard Elson has been practicing Pediatric Dentistry for over 44 years. He realized that some children could not be treated safely and effectively in an office environment and started the Pediatric Dental Program at Southwestern Ambulatory Surgery Center (SWASC) over 25 years ago, providing comprehensive pediatric dentistry under general anesthesia. After Dr. Joseph took over the practice, Dr. Elson stayed on with the practice and continued to provide comprehensive pediatric dentistry under general anesthesia, exclusively, on referral, from other dentists, pediatricians, school programs and patients, at the surgery center. Dr. Elson is from New York City. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Queens College of The City University of New York and received his dental degree from The College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers.) After serving as an officer in the US Army Dental Corps, Dr. Elson received his Specialization Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Allegheny General Hospital, in Pittsburgh. Dr Elson is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, serves on the American Dental Association Medicaid Provider Advisory Committee, and is a Fellow of both the International and American College of Dentists. Dr. Elson has been voted, by his peers, as a Pittsburgh Magazine “Top Dentist” every year the award has been given. He’s also a professional actor and has appeared on radio, television, in films and on stages throughout the US and Canada. He stills plays competitive adult senior baseball, has 7 national championship rings to prove it, and is a member of both the Western Pennsylvania Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and the Queens College Athletics Hall of Fame. He, and his wife, Robin, have two grown children and four beautiful grandchildren.

Dr Brown

Dr. Joana Brown was Born in the Philippines and grew up in New Jersey. Dr. Brown is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She earned her bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. It was during her time at Rutgers where she developed a passion for treating kids. Dr. Brown had always loved being around children — having had a much younger sibling whom she spent much time with. It came as no surprise that this translated into a passion for working with children in the dental setting as well! She completed a pediatric dental residency at NYU Langone Hospital in Brooklyn. She was elected chief resident. Committed to spreading awareness about the importance of dental health and taking preventative measures starting at a young age. Dr. Brown is involved in numerous neighborhood and community volunteer events. Dr. Brown loves spending time with her husband and son. They enjoy going for runs, watching a sunrise or two with a morning coffee. They also enjoy spending time with their cats!”

Dr David

Dr. David is a passionate Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. He originally grew up on Long Island, NY. He received a Bachelor's in Biological Sciences from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, and a Master's in Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. David completed a pediatric dental residency at Cohen Children's Medical Center in NY. Dr. David chose to pursue pediatric dentistry because of his desire to help children and promote a positive experience from an early age. In addition, he has participated, and continues to take part, in several mission trips to provide dental care to underserved regions, including West Virginia and Tennessee. Dr. David is excited to return to Pittsburgh and serve the Western PA region. Dr. David is an avid table tennis player and used to compete in a collegian level. In his free time, Dr. David enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and spending quality time with friends and family.

Dr Alene

Dr. Alene D'Alesio, a distinguished board certified pediatric dentist, brings a unique blend of expertise and innovation to her practice. Raised in Sarasota, Florida, she pursued her education at the University of Florida for her undergraduate studies before attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Her dedication to pediatric dentistry led her to complete her residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. With over two decades of experience at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, this is where she honed her skills and passion for caring for young patients. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she's a loving mother to four daughters and a supportive wife, balancing the demands of a thriving career with family life. Notably, Dr. D'Alesio's inventive spirit led her to create groundbreaking products aimed at transitioning children away from pacifiers (Fridababy Pacifier Weaning system) and also sippy cups, showcasing her commitment to improving pediatric dental health beyond the clinic walls. Her passion for treating pediatric dental patients shines through in every aspect of her work. Alene's genuine love for children and her empathetic approach make her a trusted figure among young patients and their families. She understands the importance of fostering a positive experience during dental visits, ensuring that each child feels comfortable and cared for under her expert guidance. Through her tireless dedication, Dr. D'Alesio continues to make a lasting impact on the oral health and well-being of countless children, both in her community and beyond. In her free time, she enjoys attending her daughter’s soccer and basketball games, hosting parties with family and friends, and traveling to Florida to visit loved ones.