Language is never a barrier
Consultations, treatment plans and financial conversations happen in English or Spanish — with real fluency, not a translated pamphlet.
Our story
A bilingual dentist in Queens who built her practice twice
Dr. Maritza Nuñez studied dentistry in Ecuador. When she came to Queens with her husband and eldest son, she spent seven years at New York University and Queens College validating her degree — then built the practice from scratch for the Jackson Heights community she calls home.
Dr. Nuñez's story
“We faced many hardships, many obstacles. I thought it was going to be easy, but it wasn't,” she recalls of those first years in Queens. Starting over meant seven years of classes and board exams in a second language before she could practice again. Then came the bigger question: “What are we going to do? We started from scratch with my husband.” The answer was a small business on the first floor of their own home in Jackson Heights.
“We were in Jackson Heights. People looked for us because we were the Núñez family. And then we grew, we grew, and we kept growing.” Over 44+ years that single chair became three dental offices, still run by the same family and still true to the same mission of care and prevention. Some patients have been with her for 30 years.
“Speaking your own language, expressing how you feel, and asking the doctor for what you want is very important as a patient,” Dr. Núñez says — the belief that shaped everything since. She also noticed patients being sent across the borough for root canals, implants or cosmetic work, so she built a team of 8 doctors covering general, cosmetic and specialized care under one roof on 37th Avenue.
Mission & values
Accessible, compassionate care for the whole community
The right doctor matters
One dentist cannot be excellent at everything. Our patients see the right doctor for the right procedure without leaving the building.
Honest treatment plans
We recommend what your mouth needs, explain the cost up front and phase treatment when that is the sensible thing to do.
Hours that respect your job
Evenings until 8:30 PM and Saturdays until 6 PM, because taking a weekday off is not free for most families.
Rooted in Jackson Heights
One of the most diverse neighborhoods on earth deserves a dental practice that reflects it — in staff, in language and in care.
Comfort first
Gentle technique, clear expectations and sedation options for patients who have avoided dental care for years.
In the news
Latina Dentist Finds Success Helping Her Community
Angie Hernandez · Queens · June 4, 2023
A local news feature followed Clara Vanegas to her routine checkup — a patient of Dr. Núñez for three decades who chose her because she speaks her language. It's progress cultivated over forty years, from a dental degree earned in Ecuador, to seven years of re-credentialing at NYU and Queens College, to three offices across Queens today.
“Speaking your own language, expressing how you feel, and asking the doctor for what you want is very important as a patient.”
“I'm very proud to know that people, my people, are making progress.”
“We were in Jackson Heights. People looked for us because we were the Núñez family. And then we grew, we grew, and we kept growing.”
Our timeline
Four decades on 37th Avenue
1982
Dr. Nuñez completes U.S. dental credentials at NYU and Queens College after training in Ecuador.
1980s
Opens a single-chair practice on the first floor of the family home in Jackson Heights.
1990s
Expands into a full general practice; digital records and X-rays introduced.
2000s
Adds cosmetic dentistry and implant services in-house.
2010s
Grows to a team of 8 doctors and extends evening and Saturday hours.
Today
8 doctors, 38,000+ patients treated and 10 master certifications.
Come meet the team behind 38,000+ smiles
New patients welcome. Bilingual staff, evening and Saturday appointments.