On any given morning at A+ Pediatric Dentistry, before the first patient arrives and before the rhythm of the day begins, Dr. Jaha Howard is already there—lights on, doors open, quietly preparing. It’s a routine that starts long before sunrise, with time spent in reflection, prayer, and learning. By the time families begin to walk through the door, he’s ready—not just to care for teeth, but to care for people.
Because for Dr. Howard, that’s what this has always been about.
“It’s not as much about teeth as it is about relationships,” he says.
That philosophy is felt the moment you step inside his practice in the heart of the Smyrna-Vinings area. There’s an ease to the space—a sense that, no matter what kind of morning you’ve had, you can exhale a little here. Dr. Howard describes it as “a little oasis of trust,” where children and parents are met with genuine care.
Drawn to pediatric dentistry by a desire to be part of something bigger than himself, Dr. Howard saw an opportunity to help children build healthy habits that would carry them into adulthood. But more than that, he saw the chance to walk alongside families during some of their most formative years.
Smyrna-Vinings, he says, felt like the perfect place to do just that.
With its blend of families from different backgrounds and experiences, the community continues to inspire him. Over the years, his practice has grown to serve thousands of patients, each one adding to a journey that has been, in his words, “rewarding, challenging, and deeply meaningful.”
Much of that meaning comes from the children themselves.
“I learn a lot from them,” he says. “They live in the moment, full of imagination and promise.”
It’s a perspective that shapes both his work and his life. While he works to instill confidence and healthy habits, they remind him to stay present and see the world with fresh eyes.
That sense of connection extends to families as well. With patients from a wide range of backgrounds, Dr. Howard embraces the opportunity to learn from each of them, building relationships that go far beyond the exam room.
“I like being a sort of mentor,” he says. “To be with them as they grow and see what’s possible for them.”
It’s a role that has taken on even deeper meaning as a father.
At home in Smyrna, Jaha and his wife, Vanessa, are raising their three children in the very community he serves each day. Fatherhood, he says, has profoundly shaped his approach to care.
“I’ve learned a lot of grace,” he shares. “And to avoid being dogmatic. I have an appreciation for how hard it is to parent.”
That empathy shows up in small but meaningful ways—in the extra time taken with a nervous child, in the reassurance offered to a concerned parent, and in the ability to meet each family exactly where they are.
That same mindset is rooted in a guiding principle that informs every aspect of his life: Love God and Love People. For Real.
For Jaha, it’s more than a statement—it’s a daily practice.
“I firmly believe that everybody holds a little piece of who God is,” he says. “So when I interact with people, I try to express that love and receive that love.”
In practical terms, that means seeking the best for others, even when it requires patience or sacrifice. It’s a perspective that brings intention to even the smallest interactions.
Outside the office, that same commitment to people continues. Deeply rooted in the community—from his early years growing up nearby to raising his own family here—Jaha has long been invested in serving others, including his recent election to the Georgia State Senate, a role that reflects his commitment to the families of this area.
“When you live and work in the same neighborhood,” he says, “you move with a different passion and urgency to make it a little better every day.”
It’s a mindset that carries him through full days—time in the office, moments with his family, and ongoing involvement in the community he calls home.
Still, when asked about a perfect day, his answer is refreshingly simple: sleeping in, finding a trail near the water, sharing pizza and wings, and maybe catching a Hawks game with his family.
Because at the heart of it all—beneath the roles and responsibilities—is something steady: gratitude.
When he reflects on what he’s built with A+ Pediatric Dentistry, Jaha doesn’t point to numbers or milestones.
“I’m just grateful that God chose to use me and my wife to do some really cool things,” he says.
And looking ahead, his perspective remains just as grounded.
“More of the same,” he says with a smile. “Unless God gives a different assignment.”
And if that happens?
“We’ll do whatever the next assignment is.”
In the meantime, each morning, the lights come on early at A+ Pediatric Dentistry. And with them, another day begins—one rooted in trust, guided by purpose, and centered on something simple, but powerful: showing up for people with care, intention, and a genuine love for what he does.