Nancy Dueñas-Ramirez

President

"I grew up in Clarksburg, CA, a small agricultural town where access to medical and dental care required long travel. For my farmworking parents, this meant missing a full day of work just to take me and my brothers to appointments—resulting in less income and less food on the table. Inaccessibility came in many forms, from transportation to financial barriers, and I saw how many families in my community, including my own, lacked proper dental education. These experiences inspired me to pursue dentistry, and in the future, I hope to create a mobile dental clinic to provide accessible care and empower families through education."

Alexandra Nuñez

External Vice President

"I chose dentistry because I experienced and have seen firsthand how difficult it can be to access dental care in low-income, farmworker communities. Traveling long distances for affordable care made me realize the need for more accessible dental services. This inspired me to pursue dentistry to help make oral health care and dental knowledge more available to marginalized communities. Along the way, I’ve met people who share this passion through my involvement in LPDS and other dental focused projects, which has encouraged me to continue pursuing this field."

Bianca Colavin

Internal Vice President

"I am pursuing dentistry because of my love for meticulously working with my hands and the amazing community I have found through getting involved as a pre-dental student. I was drawn to dentistry because it is a space where I can serve my community, develop tight-knit relationships, and influence the confidence and well-being of others. "

Viviane Medina

Financial Coordinator

"I find dentistry rewarding because it combines my passion for science and art skills in hands-on practice. Dentistry allows to help people from all backgrounds by providing immediate and visible solutions that can greatly improve their confidence and well-being. I find that impact incredibly meaningful and motivating. It’s a field where I can use both my head and my hands to make a real difference."

Karina Fernandez

Director of Public Policy & Advocacy

"From a young age, I witnessed my parents endure dental pain and poor oral health due to high costs. These experiences exposed me to the systemic barriers that prevent many from seeking proper dental care. This has motivated me to pursue dentistry, not just to provide high quality care to underserved communities, but to also advocate for oral health equity inside and outside the clinic."

Gabriela Torres Cooper

Sonrisas Scholars Mentorship Director

"My interest in dentistry started with my mom, who worked at an orthodontic office for many years. I spent summers in her office watching her and the orthodontist work together, and it inspired me to want to follow a similar path. Seeing how dentistry could change someone’s health and confidence made a big impression on me. When I joined LPDS, I was grateful to find a club that not only shares my passion for dentistry but provides a welcoming space for the Latinx community."

Diana Vicencio

Super Smiles Academy Director

"Why densitry:

Jasmine Lara

Internal Communications Chair

"Growing up in a low-income family, I've witnessed the difficulties my family has faced in accessing quality dental care. From inadequate provider-to-patient communication due to language barriers to delayed oral healthcare dependent on the approval of Medi-Cal or socioeconomic status. The persistence of oral health disparities in vulnerable communities such as my own, my determination to join the 6% of Latinos in dentistry has only flourished."

Alma Amaya Sandoval

Media & Outreach Coordinator

"I’ve always had a passion for art and healthcare, and dentistry is the perfect combination of the two! I love how it allows me to apply creativity while still maintaining precision and great attention to detail. Dentistry isn’t just about “fixing” a smile, but it’s also about boosting someone’s confidence and overall health. Being able to contribute to that impact motivates me to keep pursuing this field!"