“Knowing that I am making a difference in a child’s life is one of the most rewarding experiences I have as a pediatric dentist, and one of the main reasons I chose to specialize in pediatric dentistry. Working with children is wonderful; seeing their smiles and hearing their laughter makes me excited to go to work every day! And when children are excited to come here, I know my team and I have been successful in our mission.
I believe that this practice is not just a dental office, but a 'dental home’ to all my patients. Any concern a parent may have is a concern of mine. I have been fortunate enough to meet many different children and their families, each one unique and special, and I learned something new from each one. Pediatric dentistry is such a beautiful specialty for the fact that although the treatment process is the same for all, each child is unique and needs to be catered to specifically.
I look forward to being your partner in helping your child achieve a lifetime of healthy smiles.” — Dr. Laura
A Background of Educational Excellence
A child’s oral health is an important part of his or her overall health. A pediatric dentist is a doctor of dentistry who has additional special training following dental school, and limits his or her practice exclusively to the treatment of children, including those with special healthcare needs. Dr. Laura was specially trained over several years to work specifically with children.
Dr. Laura was born and raised in Argentina, where she received her first Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1999. After practicing in Argentina for a few years, she moved to Atlanta, GA, where she worked and studied very hard to get accepted to dental school in the US. Dr. Laura was accepted to UCLA’s School of Dentistry in Los Angeles (among more than 2,000 applicants), where she graduated and obtained her second DDS degree in 2009.
After dental school, Dr. Laura completed a general practice residency at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, in Downey, CA. During this residency program she worked solely with patients with physical and developmental disabilities, and chronic medical conditions with disabilities. She completed this residency program in 2010. This was a very rewarding experience for Dr. Laura, which inspired her to follow her heart and apply to a pediatric dentistry program in order to become a pediatric dentist. In order to achieve this, Dr. Laura moved across the country to New York City, where in 2012 she completed her special training in pediatric dentistry at Staten Island University Hospital.
Staying at the Forefront of Technology
An active member of several local and national professional organizations, Dr. Laura also studies journals and attends annual meetings, online courses, and lectures that keep her updated about the latest advances in pediatric dentistry, materials, equipment, technology, and patient safety concerns. It is important for her to stay current with the newest research and treatment options in dentistry, as she strives to incorporate the latest recommendations in every dental visit.
Dr. Laura and her staff also follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) guidelines, which are based on research and proven, successful treatments.
Dr. Laura’s affiliations include:
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (board certified)
American Dental Association
Fifth District Dental Society
Jefferson County Dental Society
Lewis County Dental Society
Fun at Home and in the Community
Dr. Laura and her husband Dr. Garcia, a local oral surgeon, moved from NYC to the North Country in 2013. They soon learned to love the area — despite the snow and cold — because of the wonderful people and relaxed lifestyle. Their three children, Olivia, Lucas, and Victoria were born in the North Country area.
The family loves to spend time together, and try different types of foods and attend family events in the area. They look forward to learning how to ski and taking advantage of all the outdoor activities that the North Country has to offer. In the summer, you can usually find them at the farmers market, the Flower Memorial Library, the Salmon Run Mall, or Thompson Park, and attending all the area festivals.
