Dr. Alvarez grew up in Miami. She received her B.S. degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Miami in 1991, and her dental degree from the University of Florida in 1995. Dr. Alvarez received her certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in May 1997 from the Medical College of Georgia.

Upon completion of her certificate, Dr. Alvarez moved to the rural valleys of Las Matas, Dominican Republic for six months to set up a non-profit dental clinic. Funded entirely by donations, her organization, Instruments of Peace, now employs a Dominican dentist in an office with two dental chairs, a generator, water distillers and an autoclave.

In November of 1997, Dr. Alvarez moved to Jacksonville and practiced pediatric dentistry in several local offices. Dr. Alvarez opened her own office in December 1999. Dr. Alvarez is currently a member of the Cleft Palate Board at Wolfson's Children's Hospital. She is an ABPD diplomate and a member of ADA, ABPD, AAPD, JDS, and the FDA.