Meet Dr. Victoria Petrucco, Westchester native and mom of two. She practices dentistry alongside her dad, Dr. David Petrucco, at Petrucco Dentistry. As an honors student graduate of New York University College of Dentistry, she is trained in the most advanced, state-of-the-art dental treatments and procedures. Read our interview below to find more about Victoria, why oral health is so important and how she juggles a busy dental practice and being a mom of two young children!
Where are you originally from and how long have you lived in Westchester?
I grew up in Hastings-on Hudson and have lived in Westchester for most of my life. After finishing my dental training and getting married, my husband, Chris, and I moved from Manhattan back to Westchester to start our family.
Tell us about your family!
Chris and I have been having the time of our lives with our two action-packed kids, Oscar (5) and Genevieve (1). We’re looking forward to getting these two, along with our dachshund, Zorro, out and about now that Covid restrictions are easing.
What’s your favorite thing about raising a family in Westchester County?
I’m from Westchester, so it’s easy for me to say that it’s the best place to raise a family. I really enjoy our neighbors, who can be from all over the country and the world, yet we still have a strong, tight-knit community. We have access to world class universities, museums, entertainment, hospitals and doctors – and all at our doorstep. Westchester is really the best!
What are your go to shops and restaurants in the Sound Shore?
Since we spend a lot of time in Harrison, I would have to say my family and I really enjoy Casa D’Italia, Fiama, and The Market at Gus’s. We also love Mister Chen’s in Mamaroneck and just had a nice outdoor dinner at Billy & Pete’s in Larchmont.
What’s your favorite way to spend time with your family?
With all of us being out of the house most of the week, I really love our time together at home. The kids really get a kick out of cooking and doing crafts together. We also love to travel and we’re excited to be doing a lot more of that again
Tell us about your business, Petrucco Dentistry! Where do you work and how did you get into this business?
Our private family practice in Harrison was established in 1982 by my father, Dr. David Petrucco. I worked my way up through the ranks from receptionist to assistant, and eventually was promoted to Dentist after attending NYU College of Dentistry. It’s a true family practice, from the doctors to the patients. I’m now seeing the children and grandchildren of patients that entered the practice as young people themselves!
What’s it like working with your dad?
I get to work with my first best friend everyday – how many people are lucky enough to say that? It’s a lot of fun being able to collaborate and discuss new technologies and treatment options for our patients. We say to each other that we’ll “keep work at work”, but are often emailing continuing education material and classes to each other. Level 5 Nerd Alert!
Why is it important to go to see a dentist and how often should we go? Also, at what age should children start?
Your oral health is a window to your overall health and well being. Your dentist is not just treating your teeth. We are looking at the patient as a whole, and how their oral and dental health may be impacting them systematically. For instance, periodontal “gum” disease is linked to several systemic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even preterm birth.
Seeing your dentist every 6 months is a great place to start, with a good number of patients opting to have preventative visits 3-4 times a year. Especially with all that has come to light regarding our overall health and how it impacts the quality of our lives everyday, people are becoming more educated and proactive about maintaining a healthier lifestyle.
It’s recommended that children see a dentist when their first tooth erupts and most definitely by the time they turn 1 years old. Besides taking a look at the baby’s teeth, it’s important for the doctor to consult with the parent about the baby’s oral hygiene, as well as promoting healthy habits. Making it part of the normal healthcare routine helps reduce dental anxiety later in life. This is why establishing a dental home is so important for the whole family!
Tell us about the different services that you offer? How are you different than other dentists?
At Petrucco Dentistry, we welcome all members of your family to experience a dental home with a gentle, patient, and conservative approach to all phases of general and cosmetic dental care. Your treatment is a team effort between you, our doctors, and our staff. The office has convenient hours, including Saturday appointments, and emergencies are taken right away. Our focus is always on educating you on all your treatment options so you can make an informed decision regarding your dental care. We offer complete dental services for patients of all ages, including preventive cleanings and checkups, metal-free porcelain restorations, rotary endodontics, cosmetic dentistry, veneers, Zoom! teeth whitening, oral cancer screening, pediatric dentistry, treatment for TMJ/TMD, sleep apnea, and Invisalign® clear aligners. We also accept most insurances and are handicap accessible.
What makes us different is that we are a smaller, private family dental practice with an emphasis on treating the patient as a whole. When you call our office, you speak directly with one of our team members. My father, Dr. David, and I both received our Dental degrees from NYU and have been members of the Harrison community for decades. When you make an appointment, whether it is for a cleaning or something more, our patients will see either Dr. David or myself. Our practice is a true “dental home”.
How do you juggle motherhood, parenting and owning your own business? Any tips for keeping it all together?
I think it’s safe to say that like most working moms, I never anticipated the complexity of keeping all the moving parts together. Half the time I feel like I’m fumbling more than juggling, but at the end of the day, our kids are happy, healthy, and thriving. Chris and I have a great support system, with both of our moms helping during the week. My dad also plays a big role on Wednesdays when I’m down at Harlem Hospital’s General Practice Residency Program teaching for the day. Oscar gets to have a “boys afternoon” with his Nonno.
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and raising a family?
I need to take my own advice when I say this, but: enjoy the journey because you’re living your life right now. Babies grow up fast and you have to cherish each day, even if it’s messy and chaotic. My youngest is getting ready to enter her 2’s program and I flip between crying because I won’t have my half day with her, but then getting excited because I’ll have my time back to spend at the office and practice what I went to school for.
Best mom hack that makes your life easier?
Again, I need to take my own advice but when possible: 1. Meal prep, 2. Say yes to any and all help (even if asking for help is hard), and 3. Give yourself a little grace. All of us were first time moms at some point. We’re all learning as we go, so cut yourself some slack.
That’s what this community is all about – moms helping moms!
Petrucco Dentistry is located in Harrison at 115 Halstead Avenue. To learn more about their practice and the services they offer, visit their website Petrucco Dentistry. To make an appointment, call them at 914-835-3488.