Monica Vazquez is the Dental Case Coordinator for Healthy Smile Healthy Child (HSHC). She has worked with HSHC for 12 years, helping place at-risk children in dire need of dental care with dental homes. In addition to pairing at-risk children with HSHC Volunteer Dentists to receive no-cost to low-cost treatment, Monica facilitates outreach and nutrition education for optimal oral health at numerous events and schools throughout the community.

Coming from humble beginnings, Monica was born in Mexico City and migrated to the Reno/Sparks area with her family when she was five-years-old. She attended school in the area, graduating from Procter Hug High School and attending both Truckee Meadows Community College and the University of Nevada, Reno. She is bilingual, with Spanish being her primary language. Her worst nightmare is losing her teeth.

Raised with a strong work ethic, Monica says helping and advocating for those less fortunate and underserved is “food to her soul.” She works closely with NNDHP’s new Operating Partner, Renown’s Child Health Institute, to prevent as many at-risk children as possible from having to suffer pain or embarrassment due to poor oral health.

“My favorite thing about my job is serving those who are most vulnerable and making a difference in children’s lives,” said Monica. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and privilege to work closely with generous dental providers in the community.”

She and her wonderful husband Fernando have three amazing children; Breana, Fernando Jr. and Aaron. When she’s not working to better the oral health and lives of children in her community, she loves spending time with her family and friends.