Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Nicole Bui-Fong

Pediatric Dentist

The thing I love most about pediatric dentistry is that it is never boring! Kids are so honest and unpredictable. Each day of work is fun, different, and refreshing. Just as each child is unique, every family is unique as well. I take pride in getting to know my patients and their families so that I can deliver a personalized approach to dental care that meets each family’s individual needs. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended the University of California, San Diego for my undergraduate education. After college, I interned at the office of my childhood pediatric dentist and fell in love with working with children. I obtained my DDS degree at UCLA and completed the Advanced Education in Pediatric Dentistry Program at the University of Southern California (USC) and Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). During my training at CHLA, I exclusively treated children with medically and behaviorally complex issues; because of this, I have a particular passion in treating children with special needs.

I am new to the Reno area, but my husband has lived in Reno for the past 7 years. We love trying new restaurants and traveling to visit our friends and family. We are both California born-and-bred, so we like to keep warm during the winter, but once the sun is out, our favorite thing to do is to visit Lake Tahoe.

I am a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and am an Albert Schweitzer Fellow for Life. I am currently pursuing my board certification in pediatric dentistry.

Fun fact: Bui is pronounced Boo-EE, like a buoy that floats in the water.

Dr. Aaron Duffy

Pediatric Dentist

During my time as a general dentist, I saw many patients who had fears and anxiety about the dentist that started due to their childhood experiences. This prevented them from getting the dental care they needed and impacted the quality of their lives greatly. I decided to become a pediatric dentist in order to help children through their childhood with happy memories of the dentist so that they continue to care for their teeth and enjoy going to the dentist even when they become adults.

Dr. Duffy was adopted from South Korea when he was six months old and was raised in Modesto, CA. He later attended UC Santa Barbara where he earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences. Soon after, Dr. Duffy attended the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. He then moved to Tucson, AZ where he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry. This is where Dr. Duffy found his passion for working with children. He then returned to Tucson for two more years where he trained to become a pediatric dentist. Dr. Duffy is part of the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and he is also board certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

During my free time, I love to spend it with family and friends. My wife and I enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, golfing, paintballing, and hiking; which is why the Northern Nevada area was somewhere we wanted to settle. I also enjoy playing board games, video games, and watching movies. Another huge passion that I have is eating. I love trying new foods and expanding my views and knowledge of the world through it.

Dr. David Faltys

Pediatric Dentist

Dr. David Faltys was born and raised in central Texas. He attended the University of Arkansas for his undergraduate degree. He then moved back to Texas for dental school at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio. During his first year of dental school, Dr. Faltys did a week-long rotation at a pediatric facility. He realized his passion for working with kids and making complex procedures feel effortless and fun. After graduation, he moved to New York City, completing a residency in Pediatric Dentistry at Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

Throughout dental school and residency, Dr. Faltys actively participated in advocacy, research, volunteer organizations, and leadership activities. During his final year in New York, he was nominated Chief Resident and awarded the Resident of the Year title.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Dr. Faltys developed a passion for rock climbing during his undergraduate years at the University of Arkansas. He has been an avid climber ever since and began to show interest in the Reno area after visiting the region several times on climbing trips. Dr. Faltys was thrilled when he found Bluetree Dental, a patient-centered dental group he immediately felt at home with that also happened to be in one of his favorite parts of the country.

Dr. Faltys is proud to be a board-certified diplomat of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. His goal is to use his knowledge, skill, and passion to help get children through the intimidating world of dentistry while showing them a fun and positive experience. He believes in listening to every family’s priorities and concerns, working together to develop a treatment plan unique to their child. He strives to use the most current, conservative, and effective methods to treat children’s vast array of dental needs.

Dr. Trent Gookin

Pediatric Dentist

Working with children is my favorite part of pediatric dentistry. The opportunity to work with kids always brightens my day and allows me to have fun while providing their dental care.

While I was born in San Diego, my family moved to Reno when I was five so, I consider Reno my home. I attended the University of Nevada, Reno for my undergraduate education and then moved to San Francisco to attend the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. In dental school, I quickly realized that treating children was my passion and I decided to specialize in pediatric dentistry. I completed my pediatric residency with Lutheran Medical Center at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, as the Chief Resident.

While in dental school, I married my best friend, Amy. Together, we love to go hiking, spend time at the lake, and go to Disneyland. I also enjoy photography and playing music on the drums and guitar.

I am proud to be a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I am also a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the University of the Pacific Alumni Pediatric Chapter. To ensure that my treatment methods are the most current, I attend continuing education courses at both the local and national levels.

While treating children, I always strive to ensure that they are having fun while in the dental office and develop a trusting relationship with the child and parent.

Dr. Cintia Teglia

Children’s General Dentist

My favorite thing about my job is having the opportunity to interact with children every day. They are spontaneous, honest and cute. They teach me so much!

My goal is to provide to my patients and parents a positive, fun and educational experience.

I was born in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico. That makes Spanish my first language; I earned my first dental degree in 1988 at the Universidad Autonoma de Mexico, in Mexico City. I met my husband, Michael, a native Nevadan who loves hunting and came to the USA in 1991. We have two children, Tony, who is a student at UNR and Selena, who is finishing eighth grade. I got my second dental degree at the University of the Pacific A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, in 2003 and I have been working with children my whole career.

I go back to Mexico every year to visit my family. We go swimming in the ocean and love the beach! We enjoy the outdoors, camping with family and friends, swimming in the lakes, kayaking, paddle boarding or just simply taking our three dogs, Duke, Bullet and Milo, for a walk. My favorite food? You guessed it, Mexican!

I am a member of the American Dental Association, Northern Nevada Dental Society, Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Academy of General Dentistry, and the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics. I keep my knowledge and skills up to date by attending educational courses every year.

Dr. Emily Vaccarezza

Pediatric Dentist

Working with children has always been passion of mine. Having the opportunity to provide dental care in a fun and energetic atmosphere brings me so much joy (you may even catch me singing a line or two!). I believe every child is special and I love building unique relationships with each family.

I grew up in the small town of Valley Springs, California, located in the foothills outside of Sacramento. I attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and graduated with a degree in Biology and a minor in Biotechnology. After college I obtained my DDS degree at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, graduating with honors. While in dental school, I served as a student delegate for the California Dental Association for three years. Following graduation, I completed a two-year pediatric residency program through the Lutheran Medical Center in conjunction with Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

I am a diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry as well as a member of the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Enjoying an active lifestyle is very important to me and I love exploring the great outdoors. Some of my favorite hobbies include kayaking, cooking, skiing and baseball (go Giants!). My fiancé and I are excited to have recently relocated to Reno and look forward to becoming active members of the community!

Dr. Grace Chen

Pediatric Dentist

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Dr. Grace is very ecstatic to join the My Kid’s Smile team. 

Growing up, Dr. Grace always had an interest in working with children. She looks back to her formative years working as a camp counselor and swim instructor as experiences that paved her path to a career in pediatrics. During her undergraduate studies at Queen’s University, Dr. Grace considered a career in dentistry when she worked at the University of Hong Kong’s dental materials lab. With her newfound passion for dentistry, she attended the University of Toronto and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. 

In 2018, she moved to New York City and completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma center in the Bronx. While in residency, she met many adult patients with complex dental needs resulting from years of poor habits and lack of access to care. It became apparent that her patients were not guided on proper dental care. This bolstered her desire to specialize in pediatrics in order to help her patients form healthy habits from a young age and provide the tools necessary to maintain a lifetime of good oral health. Driven by her love of working with children and helping them lead a healthy life, she pursued and earned her certificate in pediatric dentistry at BronxCare Health Systems in Bronx, NY. 

In hopes of escaping the harsh Northeast winters, she moved to San Diego, California in search of sunny weather all year-round. While Dr. Grace loves being close to the ocean and catching the occasional waves. She is excited to move closer to the mountains in Nevada and be with her friends and family. When she is not busy catching sugar bugs, you will find her hiking, surfing and traveling. 

Dr. Grace is a proud member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Society, and the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Heinritz

Pediatric Dentist