Dr. Selina Fuentes Gutierrez, a Laredo native currently practicing general dentistry in San Antonio, has been named a 2025 Texas New Dentist of the Year by the Texas Academy of General Dentistry. She is one of only 11 dentists statewide to receive this prestigious award.
“Being nominated for the New Dentist of the Year award recognizes a group of exceptional young professionals who are leading the future of dentistry with their exceptional skills, dedication, and innovative perspectives,” said Dr. Hannah Lindskog, President of the Texas Academy of General Dentistry.
Born and raised in Laredo, Fuentes Gutierrez graduated from Texas A&M International University with a degree in biology and has extensive experience in pharmacy and dental assisting.
She began pursuing dental training in San Antonio in 2014 and completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and advanced general dentistry residency training at the University of Texas at San Antonio School of Dentistry in 2018. She has been practicing in San Antonio since then.
She was a team physician for the San Antonio Spurs and San Antonio Rampage of the National Hockey League, providing expert care to professional athletes.
She currently leads Inwood Family Dental, succeeding veteran dentist Dr. Joan Dreyer upon her retirement in 2022. She also actively mentors pre-dental students and participates in oral health initiatives at schools and senior centers.
In terms of leadership, Fuentes Gutierrez has served as president and continuing education chair of the Greater San Antonio Hispanic Dental Association, is a member of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and sits on the board of directors of the San Antonio Area Dental Association.
She is passionate about community service, volunteering at food banks and founding a professional network dedicated to the development of diverse female dentists. She also provides free dental care to the homeless through her work at San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic.
In a 2023 interview with AGD Impact, she revealed her plans to host an annual free dental weekend to benefit refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants who lack access to healthcare in the greater San Antonio area.
Fuentes Gutierrez also values family life, enjoying cycling, traveling, and church activities with her husband, Ramon. Her Laredo roots are reflected in her official profile and social media accounts, and she was featured in the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month promotion as a “proud Hispanic woman raised in the Texas border town of Laredo.”
Fuentes Gutierrez will be honored at a ceremony in Austin on September 12, 2025. This is her third nomination for the award, having been a finalist in 2022 and 2023.
In 2023, she was also recognized by the Academy of General Dentistry as one of its “Top 10 Dentists to Watch,” a testament to her leadership and influence early in her career.
