Getting to Know Veronica Toca Sone

an interview with veronica toca sone

Meet Colorado ASDA’s newly elected representative for the ISP1 class, Veronica Toca Sone! We asked her a few questions to facilitate her introduction.

Looking down at Caracas from half-way up the Avila mountain after a fun hike!

1. Tell us about where you are from.

I am from Caracas, Venezuela, a beautiful valley south of the amazing Avila mountain where welcoming temperatures never go under 60 degrees. I believe my country is beautiful with awesome sights that will surprise you. Our traditional song “Venezuela” describes it best, stating “I am desert, jungle, snow and volcano”, even though there’s snow only at unreachable peaks and none of our awesome mountains are actually volcanos. Some say you will find the most beautiful beaches at our Caribbean islands and coasts, and we host the tallest waterfall in the world, the dazzling Angel Falls.

Performing surgery

2. What has your education been like so far?

I obtained my Dentistry degree in 2010 from Universidad Central de Venezuela. Throughout my career, I have worked in six hospitals of various healthcare sectors, gathering expertise and forging a personal identity along the way.

My experience in the past 5 years has been mostly focused in the area of oral surgery. I pursued and graduated from a postgraduate residency program in oral surgery at Universidad Central de Venezuela in 2016. I also Initiated and operated my own private practice specializing in dentoalveolar surgery, pathologic lesions, management of odontogenic infections, and dental implants.

In addition, I am very passionate about conducting research for advancements in healthcare. Throughout my career, I performed several research engagements including presentations, publications, and scientific posters. I am proud of my research thesis, which focused on analyzing the capillary blood glucose levels during oral surgery procedures in patients with type 2 diabetes who take Metformin.

Enjoying time with my amazing and admirable mother

3. How did you decide to pursue dentistry?

I always knew I wanted to pursue a healthcare related career because of my mother’s influence. She is a successful obstetrician-gynecologist. Due to my mother’s passion, I grew up in a very scientific and healthcare-oriented environment, always eager to learn from her example. Without any doubt, following my mother’s footsteps is one of the main reasons I am a dentist.

Since I was very little, I showed strong hand skills, displayed a detailed-oriented personality, and possessed a passion for providing care to those in need. My mother’s support helped me develop and strengthen these skills as I grew an interest in dentistry, which for me was the perfect fit where my hand skills, passion for healthcare, and interest in science met. When I graduated from high school, I was determined to fulfill my vocation of becoming a dentist, which at the time was a very organic and quite easy decision.

Enjoying the slopes at Keystone with my husband

4. What are some of your hobbies?

In my spare time, I like to go running, hiking and play tennis. I also love to spend time with my nephews Diego and Gustavo (ages 5 and 1). Playing with them is so fun and brings so much joy to my life. Although I’m not great at it yet, I also like skiing and I’m following my husband’s footsteps in growing a passion for the sport.

5. What are you most looking forward to about being involved with ASDA?

It was a great honor to have been elected by my peers to represent them as the ISP ASDA representative. My main goal is to represent international dentists and to expose my peers to the opportunities ASDA can offer them while bringing bright ideas to make Colorado ASDA better every day. Through ASDA, I look forward to networking with other leaders in the industry and learning professional practices in a very different working culture. I can’t wait to get started and working with our ASDA Colorado team for the next two years.

Veronica Toca Sone is a first-year ISP student at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. She is from Caracas, Venezuela, where she obtained degrees in dentistry and oral surgery. With over 9 years of practice experience, Veronica has worked in both the public and private sectors, including six different hospitals and her own private practice specialized in oral surgery.