Women Changing Dentistry: María Fernanda Vélez

15.07.2025

Third interview in the series “Women Changing Dentistry,” in which Oliver Goetzendorff speaks with María Fernanda Vélez, director of an educational center dedicated to transforming commercial companies into knowledge-driven leaders in the sector.

María Fernanda, Luz Mary, Bibiana, and Vanessa are the first four entrepreneurs interviewed for the series “Women Changing Dentistry.”

María Fernanda Vélez: A New Vision in the Dental Sector

Born in Venezuela, with family roots in Colombia, María Fernanda Vélez grew up surrounded by the dental world. Her grandfather founded one of Venezuela’s most prominent dental supply companies, sparking her early connection to oral care. Yet, her childhood dream was to become a veterinarian. Despite her enthusiasm, that career path wasn’t available at the time, and her family didn’t support her choice.

A volleyball accident changed the course of her life. After a fall that caused her to lose a tooth, she witnessed firsthand how a dentist managed to save it. That moment was transformative - it awakened a deep calling for dentistry. She began her studies in Venezuela but was unable to complete them there. Eventually, she graduated in Colombia during the pandemic, receiving her dental degree in 2020 from home, through her computer screen.

Now 30, María Fernanda has developed a holistic vision of her career. She shares her home with her younger brother and three cats, and places education at the heart of her life. She currently runs an academy, aiming to transform it into a space where learning and training are central. She firmly believes that dentistry goes beyond clinical practice, which is why she is about to begin a master’s degree in education - convinced that teaching is also a form of healing.

I believe in dentistry centered on open and accessible knowledge, teamwork, and ethical leadership. I want to inspire many more women to stand out in the educational field of dentistry in Latin America.

María Fernanda Vélez is changing dentistry by inspiring others, building knowledge, and championing continuing education.

Photo: Oliver Goetzendorff

Contribution to dentistry

“From my role as a working woman and professional, I bring a new and modern perspective to the dental field, aiming to position education as an area just as important as clinical practice and patient care,” explains María Fernanda Vélez. “There’s a common belief that dentists should only focus on treating patients, but the field of education and knowledge-sharing is not something we’re encouraged to pursue in university. That’s why my mission - now and always - is to share knowledge, so that education becomes increasingly recognized as a professional way of life within dentistry.”

“I believe in dentistry centered on open and accessible knowledge, teamwork, and ethical leadership. I want to inspire many more women to stand out in the educational field of dentistry in Latin America,” she adds.

For María Fernanda Vélez, changing dentistry means fostering environments where education is valued, inspiring others, and building knowledge. Her driving force is sharing what she’s learned, supporting growth, and demonstrating that education is a powerful tool for success in the dental world.