When first meeting Dr. Alessandra Chacon, you are immediately taken in by her kindness and seemingly genuine compassion and understanding of your personal story—i.e., the ‘why’ behind your scheduled initial consultation with her. In my case, I work in a highly-visible industry where a set of perfectly straight teeth is ideal. Unfortunately, this was not what I walked in with, and quite honestly, was embarrassed to explain to her how important this was to me for fear of sounding egotistical and downright narcissistic.

THE CONSULTATION

As I waited in the consultation office, I recall attempting to come up with excuses as to why I needed—or wanted—a beautiful set of teeth. Could I say, “It was a health issue?” Or perhaps, “My job depended on it”? Before I could settle on the perfect excuse, in walked a very petite and beautiful young woman, who within seconds, made me feel at ease with her uber friendly personality. Then, as she sat down behind the desk across from me, I realized she was the orthodontist, Dr. Alessandra Chacon. From that moment on, I knew I had come to the right place. I instantly connected with her and without fear of embarrassment, opted for custom aligners for their convenience and flexibility.

ALESSANDRA CHACON D.D.S., M.S.

In the time that’s passed since becoming a patient of the Smile Shoppe, I have had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Chacon and her staff every six weeks for follow-up appointments. Each time I visit, I enjoy learning a little more about Dr. Chacon during our conversations. I’ve learned she came to Laredo with her husband and Smile Shoppe orthodontist partner, Dr. Ryan Reyes, who was born and raised in Laredo, after meeting and dating him during their time together at the Orthodontic Residency Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. She mentioned how from day one, they were inseparable best friends, and shared the story about how they would spend hours talking and laughing. Instantly falling in love with his kindness, intelligence, and good looks, it was a friendship that blossomed into an engagement a year later, which led to their decision to marry and open a practice together in his underserved medical community of Laredo.

AN UNEXPECTED BACKGROUND

As a nosy journalist, I tend to ask questions when interested in learning more about something or someone. Hence, my fascination with Dr. Chacon grew as I got to know her a little better. Turns out, the ever-so polite and engaging orthodontist comes from a family filled with role models. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela, to Maria and Juan Chacon. She describes her mother as the perfect homemaker—one who kept their home looking immaculate, with all meals prepared and served with an abundance of detail. She says her mother’s strong will, determination, and knack for planning were most impressive, as was her ability to problem solve any situation.

As for her father, Dr. Chacon describes him as incredibly smart, working in upper management of the national oil industry known back then as PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A). With an above-standard work-ethic and inner drive to continue learning, he accepted a scholarship to study at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to complete a Master’s in Business Administration. Upon completion of his studies, he took a job in Holland, moving to the Netherlands with his wife and two young daughters. It was there that Dr. Chacon learned to speak perfect English and became innately aware of the personal lives and struggles of people she would meet during her travels across Italy and Spain.

THE LIFE-CHANGING MEETING

She eventually moved back to Venezuela to finish high school, where at the age of twelve, had a consultation with an orthodontist, Dr. Gisela Contasti. This initial appointment, she says, changed her life’s path forever. In fact, she describes that day as the day she decided to become an orthodontist herself. It would be a challenging path to undertake, but she was determined to fulfill her dream. After that day, never missing a single appointment, she learned everything she could about the practice—and not just the medical science behind the straightening of teeth but also the personal relationships that are built between orthodontist and patient. She says thoughts of one day having her own dental office with patients would drive her confidence and determination to seeing her dream come true. She especially loved how well-respected and knowledgeable her orthodontist was, and the more time spent with her, the more of a role model she became to her as she neared her own orthodontic career path. To this day, when faced with doubt on a course of action, Dr. Chacon says she asks herself, “What would Gisela do?”

A DREAM REALIZED

Head strong and determined, Dr. Chacon enrolled at the Washington Academy in Caracas, Venezuela, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. She was then accepted to the Universidad Santa Maria in Caracas, Venezuela, graduating with her Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Soon after, Dr. Chacon concurrently enrolled at the Universidad de Carabobo in Valencia, Venezuela, completing a Diploma Awarding Certificate Program of Dentofacial Orthopedics and Orthodontics, while also completing a Preceptorship program in the Orthodontics Department at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. It was here that she also earned a Master of Science in Orthodontics and then completed her specialty training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Soon after, she became a Board-Certified orthodontist.

As if this weren’t impressive enough, the amount of research Dr. Chacon has published and presented, along with numerous awards, teaching and work experiences, coupled with community service and volunteer work, leaves a person wondering how Laredo got so lucky to have someone as brilliant as she choose to practice here. Of course, the answer to that is her husband, Dr. Reyes, who not only saw a smart and incredibly skilled orthodontic partner, but also the makings of an amazing mother. Of course, that proved to be on point as today, Dr. Chacon and Dr. Reyes are the parents of two lovely daughters.

EMBODING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

In hearing that the month of March celebrates International Women’s Day and Month, I can’t think of another individual who embodies what it means to ‘celebrate women’s achievement, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality’ as defined in their website. https://www.internationalwomensday.com/.

Working to achieve her dream of becoming an orthodontist – a career that traditionally is filled by men and setting aside any stereotype of expectations of Venezuelan women – Dr. Chacon serves as an example and role model to all young girls, inspiring them to fight for the dreams that make them happy. As for challenges they may face along the way, learning from her examples of finding a path around obstacles to continue moving ahead, is the clear take-away that comes after a conversation with her.

The International Women’s Day organization lists several missions they work towards in forging a gender equal world, with one in particular: “To shine a spotlight on activity uplifting and inspiring women to pursue goals without bias or barrier.” Clearly, this embraces all that Dr. Chacon stands for and lives by.

When I ask Dr. Chacon what inspires her, I am captivated by her simple answer of ‘a smile,’ saying in part, “It can open doors to new opportunities, provide happiness and comfort, and give us the confidence to achieve greater things.” Wonderful things, she says, that she’ll teach her daughters and all young girls that only come when you don’t give up on your dreams, learn from your mistakes, and overcome any obstacle that seems impossible to overcome.

“Dreams are made by us and the effort we place into making them true,” she continues. “So never give up and never settle for less.”

Lessons each one of us can learn after a simple visit to the Smile Shoppe.