Dra. Adriana Maria Castaño M.

American Board-certified Periodontist, Founder and Clinical Director of International Smiles

“Every time you try to be a loving person, you are doing your part to save the world”

Maryanne Williamson.

American Board-certified Periodontist, Founder and Clinical Director of International Smiles

Dr. Adriana Castaño has been in private practice for more than 20 years, serving patients from all over the world. She has extensive training that includes: Periodontics, aesthetic dentistry, Traditional Chinese Medicine, neural and ozone therapy, neuro linguistic programming and psychology, facial rejuvenation with the application of dermal fillers and toxin botulinic.

In 1998, Dr. Adriana Castaño graduated from CES University, one of the top Dental Schools in Colombia. In 2000 she was granted a position at the International Exchange program from the Harvard Dental School of Medicine in Boston. Soon after, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL, where she finished her Residency Program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry and also obtained her certificate as a Periodontist at Nova Southeastern University in 2008, became licensed in the States of Florida and Texas, got board certified from the American Academy of Periodontology and practiced in US periodontics for 3 years. After Returning to her Colombian roots, she founded International Smiles in 2013, giving life to her long-held dream of practicing dentistry with a human touch in her home state.

Going to the dentist can be an anxiety inducing experience, therefore, Dr. Castaño focuses on providing individualized treatment for each patient in a calm, comfortable and friendly environment. Periodontal treatment is not a single event visit to the Dentist. It usually requires a long-term relationship that does not disappear. Just like family, periodontal treatment and maintenance sticks with you, and a periodontist is there to help you in mostly good times, but especially when you have issues you need addressed.

She strives to understand the unique priorities of her patients and customize the treatment to create a unique experience that would help change the stigma of receiving dental care.

Aside from being your dentist, Dr. Castaño is a bookworm, good dancer, wife and a great mother of a young daughter. Always keeping a kind smile, Dr. Castaño will focus as much on quality care as your comfort, to make you feel at home, because practicing excellent dentistry is what a dentist does every day… but practicing excellent dentistry AND providing friendly, compassionate care to her patients is only possible because of Dr. Castaño commitment and her dedicated staff.

Dra. LINA RIZZO

Prosthodontist, Cosmetic and Reconstructive dentist.

“Turning the fear into laughter is most of exciting challenges in dentistry”

Prosthodontist, Cosmetic and Reconstructive dentist.

Dr. Lina Rizzo, D.D.S., is a specialist in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Known for her intelligence, gentleness, and kindness, she graduated from CES University, where she received accolades twice for being the most outstanding student. Seeking to expand her expertise, Dr. Rizzo specialized in Prosthodontics at CIEO University in Bogotá. Her personal mission is to enhance your smile, making it as beautiful and natural as possible. She pays meticulous attention to even the smallest details to create a bright, healthy smile.

Quite involved in the Colombian communities, Dr. Rizzo joined the Colombian Air Force, providing services to military personnel and residents of Medellin’s poorest neighborhoods. She has also practiced dentistry for SURA, the National Insurance Company of Colombia. She loves connecting with her patients on a personal level and helping them achieve their dental goals, and she believes in treating patients as she would family. Communicating transparently and educating patients, along with creating a warm atmosphere and a high level of trust with patients is of the utmost importance to her. This is the perfect fit for International Smile’s patient-centered approach, for that sense of community created among the dental team and patients.

When Dr. Rizzo isn’t working to make people smile, she is an avid kitchen enthusiast, devoted to nature hikers and always looking for the next cup of coffee to try in Medellin. Dr. Rizzo is fluent in both Spanish and English, she learned English during an 8-month study-abroad program in Warwickshire College at Leamington Spa, in England. Back in Medellin, she is determined to give you the smile you’ve always desired.

Dra. sara posada

Endodontist, also known as Root Canal Specialist.

“Every word is heartfelt”

Jesus

Dr. Sara Posada, Dentist and Endodontist from CES University, is greatly passionate about what she does, practicing with a human touch, quality, ethical sense and responsibility of her work and dedication with a high focus on the humanization and quality of health service.

She has been a faculty of the two of the local universities and updates herself permanently in courses related to her area and annual conferences, including Neurolinguistics Programming and Strategic Coaching Program and the Congress of Endodontics: Penn Endo Global Symposium.

She is also an active member of the Colombian and Antioquia Society of Endodontics, and has been working for 9 years as a teacher of Endodontics at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia. Her clinical experience has been developed in private practice and within the Social Security System.

As a human being just like you, she welcomes you to her workspace, where, with all her heart, she will give you high-quality attention with professionalism and the respect you deserve, as the valuable and unique person that you are.

Dra. Gloria Arbelaez

General dentist.

“Be the change you want to see in the world”

Gandhi

Dr. Gloria Arbelaez graduated from the most modern dental school in the city of Medellin, “Foundation Autónoma de las Américas”, receiving courses throughout her pre-graduate studies and honors for the best grades at college. She was highlighted in the dental research group “Silos y Surcos”. She also received honorary recognition as a student representative on the University’s High Council.

After graduation, Dr. Gloria traveled to Seattle, USA, where she participated in the “English as a Second Language” course at Seattle Central College, in order to improve her English skills. Afterwards, she joined the University of Washington for the “Continuing Education” program at the School of Dentistry, where she received several diplomas, among them: “Treatment of patients with systemic diseases and special needs” course, and the dental photography workshop with the renowned Johnny Wang, DDS, MPH, MS.

After returning to Medellin, she decided to study Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dentistry, in which she completed a diploma program in esthetics at “Universidad de los Andes”, nationally and internationally recognized for its conservative and ethical practices in Dentistry.

Her natural charisma allows her to build interpersonal relationships with great facility. Dr. Gloria treats her patients with professional appreciation and has a sincere interest in improving their health and accompanying them throughout the process.

She is currently leading one of the most emotive social initiatives in the city of Medellin, providing basic dental services to children and young people in the most vulnerable neighborhoods, transforming their reality one smile at a time.

Dra. Catalina López

Periodontist and Oral Implantologist, also known as a gum specialist.

“The more positive energy you throw into the universe, the more positive energy it gives you back”

Nitin Namdeo

She graduated as a general dentist from the University of Antioquia in 2008, then she worked for a year at a close rural town in Antioquia called Valparaiso.

When she returned to Medellin, she continued working as a general dentist for 2 years in private practice. From 2012 to 2014 she lived in Bogotá where she studied Periodontology and Oral Implantology at National University of Colombia.

She is also an active member of the Colombian Association of Periodontoloy and Osseointegration where she was the secretary of the Association Board from 2015 to 2016 and she was also the president of the Board from 2017 to 2018.

She worked as a teacher for 4 years at Fundacion Universitaria Vision de las Americas College and Currently she is working as a teacher at the University of Antioquia. Her clinical experience as a Periodontist has been developed in private practice for almost 10 years.

As a dedicated periodontist, my approach to patient care is grounded in respect, empathy, and a deep understanding of their needs. My patients often commend me for my exceptionally positive attitude and ever-present smile, which contribute to creating a comforting and reassuring atmosphere in my practice. I am deeply committed to the well-being of my patients, not only during dental procedures but also in their overall health journey.

Dra. Maria Isabel Rodas

Speech and myofunctional Therapist, her treatment focuses on re-training the head and neck muscles to improve function and health.

“Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity”

Khalil Gibran

Her professional life started as a dental hygienist in 2000, after being part of the dental community she transitioned as a Phonoaudiolgist from Foundation Universitaria Maria Cano in 2010, in Medellin. She has participated in several workshops, courses, seminars and training focused on Occupational Health and Myofunctional Therapy. She is constantly updating her knowledge in Myofunctional Therapy, Oropharyngeal Dysphagia and Orofacial Motricity, Aesthetic Phonoaudiology, Facial Yoga and Neurolinguistic Programming.

Her practice is oriented towards dental patients, focusing in orthodontics and oral rehabilitation, additional to the speech and language area.

Dra. Maria Piedad Laberry

Oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

“With love and patience, nothing is impossible”

Daisaku Ikeda

Dr. Maria Laberry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon D.D.S, for both studies Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery, she graduated from University of Antioquia U de A, and also, she had the opportunity to finish her Maxillofacial residency in Paris, France at the Hospital Armand Trousseau. When she got back to Colombia in 2011, she started her practice as a teacher in two Universities UCC and UAM. She is also the Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon of Sinergia at Laureles – Poblado centers (National Insurance Company of Colombia). She concentrates on being gentle and compassionate with her patients, she agrees that surgical procedures generate fright, so she generates confidence and with her sense of humor she tries to make them feel comfortable and at ease with any dental procedure.

Aside from being your Oral Surgeon, Dr. Laberry also likes to spend quality family time with her husband, parents and dog that she adores. She likes to go to the movies, practice yoga, meditate, and enjoy the gastronomic variety that Medellin offers. Dr. Laberry is fluent in English thanks to her exchange in the USA where she lived for a year in Sturgis, South Dakota, where she graduated from high school in 1998. Dr. Laberry will always be aware of painless procedures, providing the most comfortable and friendly attention, so that you always want to return to our facilities, and recommend us for the experience.

Dr. Ricardo Velez

Orthodontist.

“Believe and act as if it were impossible to fail”

Charless Kettering

Dr. Ricardo Vélez Fernández is a prominent orthodontist from the city of Medellín, member of the Colombian Society of Orthodontics; he studied dentistry at CES University in Medellin-Colombia, and specialized in orthodontics at the University CIEO in Bogotá- Colombia.

He’s trained and certified in the most modern techniques of orthodontics, in his modern office, equipped with the most complete human and technological equipment, he offers the latest and most revolutionary advances for teeth alignment without brackets with thermoplastic aligners or transparent plates (Invisalign®, Clear Aligner ®, Ortholite, Dentaline).

 He also stands out in other alternatives such as conventional orthodontics and self-ligating brackets, with the sole purpose of creating for patients the impeccable image and smile they’ve always wanted to have.

Dra. Nathalia Rua

Specialist in Oral Pathology and Medicine.

“Happines is when what you think, what yo say, and what you do are in harmony”

Mahatma Gandhi

Dr. Nathalia Rua is recognized as a Specialist in Pathology and Oral Medicine Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana – México, Dentist Universidad de Antioquia – Colombia and Member of the Iberoamerican Academy of Pathology and Oral Medicine.

She has published several research publications in the Journal of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Antioquia and as a speaker of histological techniques and immunohistochemistry in national and international events.

She is in charge of the analysis and pathological and histological interpretation of the biopsies that we perform at international smiles.

Dra. DANIELA VASQUEZ

General Dentist

“When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. You should give a good thought to happiness that you can give out“

Eleanor Roosevelt

Hello everyone!
This is Dr Daniela Vasquez, I’m a general dentist part of the international smiles team, I’m graduated from one of the most modern dental school in Colombia, I have five years of experience working in the dental field with different organizations such as the National Health Insurance company of Colombia SURA and the private practices.

I have also studied abroad English as a second language in the university of San Diego, California.
Now I’m here to provide you holistic and comprehensive dental care with a human touch. Can’t wait to meeting you guys soon !!!