My personal statement

Every smile tells a story - this is mine.

I grew up in a low income Hispanic-American household where hard work, humility, and perseverance were a way of life. We didn’t have much, but we had pride, pride in our culture, in our family, and in the belief that kindness and effort could open doors education never had for those before me. From an early age, I learned to recognize confidence in a smile and pain in its absence. A smile, to me, holds a person’s history, hope, and spirit; it’s the reflection of who they are. I’ve always been drawn to faces and expressions, noticing how even the smallest change in someone’s smile could alter their presence entirely. That quiet fascination became the foundation of my dream: to restore smiles and transform lives through dentistry.

My path toward dentistry took shape through years of dedication, mentorship, and personal growth. At Vanderbilt University, I pursued a degree in Medicine, Health, and Society, graduating with honors after completing my Honors Thesis on racial and ethnic oral health disparities in the United States. My research allowed me to study the systemic inequities that affect minority populations’ access to dental care, and it deepened my resolve to become a clinician who bridges those gaps. I also conducted an independent study on the egg donation process for LGBTQ+ couples, connecting my personal experience as an egg donor with a larger understanding of compassion, ethics, and inclusivity in healthcare. Both projects shaped how I view patients, not as cases, but as individuals shaped by their circumstances, culture, and stories.

My most transformative mentorship has been under Dr. Thomas Nabors, a world-renowned leader in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. Through shadowing, clinical observation, and continuing education, I learned the philosophy and artistry of no-prep porcelain veneers, a technique that preserves natural enamel while creating beautiful, life-changing smiles. In July 2025, I attended one of Dr. Nabors’ live CE courses in Nashville, where I was both a student and the live patient for the procedure. Experiencing the transformation myself gave me a profound understanding of what cosmetic dentistry means to a patient, the vulnerability, the trust, and the emotional renewal that come with a new smile. It was a moment that solidified not only my passion for aesthetic dentistry but also my belief that empathy is as essential as precision.

As a current Doctor of Dental Medicine student (D2) at Lincoln Memorial University College of Dental Medicine, I’m building on these experiences with a focus on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, no-prep veneers, smile design, laser contouring, injectables, and minimally invasive techniques that blend art and science. I also continue to work as a licensed Realtor® with Garren Realty, a woman-owned business founded by my mother, where I’ve learned how integrity, communication, and trust form the foundation of every successful relationship, lessons I carry directly into patient care.

I aspire to become a dentist who not only restores smiles but restores confidence, connection, and trust in healthcare, particularly for those who have felt overlooked or unseen. My journey, from a first-generation Hispanic student to a future Doctor, has been built on resilience, heart, and purpose. Dentistry gives me the chance to combine everything I love—science, creativity, and humanity—into one lifelong mission: to help people see themselves the way they deserve to, smiling, confident, and whole.