"I was dreaming and thinking that life was the pursuit of happiness. I woke up and saw that life was service. I served and I understood that service was happiness"
– Rabindranath Tagore, Indian poet, philosopher, and Nobel Laureate
Dr. Wu’s commitment to continuing education ensures that patients are offered the latest diagnostic, preventive, and treatment options. This improves our diagnostic capabilities and leads to better prognosis and tooth longevity. She stays at the forefront of advances in dental technologies, too, which enables her to refine techniques and provide the most streamlined and effective treatment. Dr. Wu is also happy to help patients who are in need of a Mandarin speaker.
Dr. Wu is an active participant in organized dentistry, especially in her local dental society component. She is a member in good standing with:
Dr. Wu served as chair of the SCCDS community service committee from 2016-2019 and is part of the editorial board of the organization’s award-winning “Cutting Edge” periodical. In 2020, she was selected to be part of the SCCDS's board of directors.
In the last few years, she has been a delegate of the SCCDS component to attend the CDA's House of Delegates to help set policies in bills and resolutions in California's dental field. For the first time in 2020, a virtual CDA's House of Delegates took place in November and Dr. Wu participated with 19 other delegates as component representatives of Santa Clara County Dental Society.
When the shelter-in-place order took place in mid-March, she joined the SCCDS's COVID-19 Response Task Force to help dentists return to work safely in the county and worked with a team to create a community video to showcase the safety of dental offices during these pandemic times. See video here
Oral health touches every aspect of our lives but is often taken for granted. The mouth is a window into the health of the body: It can show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general infection. Systemic diseases, those that affect the entire body, may first become apparent because of mouth lesions or other oral problems.
To treat each patient’s symptoms, to accurately diagnose and bring them back to sustainable oral health, and to assist the individual as they overcome their unique challenges in reaching optimal wellness, is a rewarding role.
As a dental provider, I am both a clinician and a partner to my patients. We find solutions to their specific needs, map a path to achieve their goals, and undertake that journey, together. — Dr. Monica Wu
In the Community
Dr. Wu feels it is important to give back and help others. She offers her skills as a volunteer with the Tzu-Chi Foundation—providing donated dental services at the organization’s health fairs, which serve the underprivileged.
She also works with the American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile program. This is a yearly event that sends volunteer dentists to various schools to screen for children in need of urgent dental care.
Beyond the Practice
Born in Shanghai, China, Dr. Wu grew up in Northern Virginia, where she completed her undergraduate studies and dental school. She and her husband, Dr. David Lai met in dental school and graduated the same year, and soon after moved to California for their shared love of the West Coast.
They have two Papillion/Pomeranian dogs, Maylee and Remy. These furry pups often accompany the doctors to the office, where they serve as office mascots. Patients love seeing them at their dental appointments as emotional support animals.
When she’s not seeing patients, Dr. Wu enjoys exploring all that the Bay Area offers, from museums to restaurants to cultural events. She practices yoga, enjoys running, and likes a variety of arts and crafts, as well as photography and painting.
Education & Professional Activities
