Dentistry is a highly complex profession. It requires a high degree of knowledge of anatomy and an understanding of the aging process—because teeth and jaws grow and change along with the rest of our bodies.
Being a successful dentist means understanding the process and how changes within our bodies—both natural and caused by medical conditions—affect our dental health. It also requires a high degree of hand-eye coordination and efficiency.
But dentistry isn’t just about skill and experience. A massive part of what we look for in our team members is care, consideration, dedication to your smile, and a constant learning mindset. That’s why we are so proud of the fantastic team of dentists that we are part of our team… and we would like to introduce them to you!
The Man Behind the Dream
Let’s start by introducing Dr. Alberto Meza because Meza Dental Care wouldn’t be the successful, professional establishment it is without him.
A 5th-generation dentist, Alberto Meza opened his clinic in 2002 after studying.
Dentistry at the Universidad de Costa Rica. His naturally warm and caring nature and dedication to personal service spread the word of his little clinic, and his patient list grew. From the beginning, however, Dr. Meza has been driven to improve and grow, living up to the family name for quality dentistry and making his place among the best practitioners in the country.
This drive was rewarded when he became the first Costa Rican dentist to become an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He was one of only three dentists in Latin America to receive this distinction.
During his time in the United States, he first began to understand the difficulties Americans face due to the high cost of dental care. Lower overhead and labor costs mean dental care in Costa Rica is naturally more affordable. Indeed, he thought, there was a way that he could use that to help people who were struggling to afford quality dental care worldwide.
Thus, Dr. Alberto Meza also became one of the founders of the Dental Tourism Industry, serving his first international patients in 2004. In the years since, he has continued to learn, understanding that his industry will continuously change and grow as technology advances. Offering the highest-quality dental service requires staying abreast of new procedures and embracing emerging technologies.
Not only that, but he is sharing that wealth of knowledge with the next generation of dentists. He has created a teaching method that ensures a consistent and predictable level of education and skill within the Meza Dental team.
Being the best requires hard work, continual improvement, and a dedication to excellence, and he has racked up an impressive list of credentials along the way, including:
- 1996- Member of the Costa Rican Board of Dentistry,
- 1996- Doctor in Dental Surgery, Universidad de Costa Rica,
- 2005-present – Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry,
- 2007- present – Member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry,
- UCLA 2007-2009 – Postgraduate training in advanced cosmetic dentistry,
- 2015 – Accredited member AACD – American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry,
- UCLA 2010-2011 – Postgraduate training in advanced implant dentistry,
His crowning achievement to date occurred just recently. With the opening of its first office in Cancún, Mexico, Meza Dental can now offer high-quality, affordable dental care to even more international patients.
Passing the Torch
Perhaps even more impressive, in terms of his legacy, is his commitment to helping young dentists enter the industry and follow in his footsteps. With his experienced mentorship, this next generation will continue to learn and grow, improving the industry and providing the same next-level service that has made Meza Dental such a prominent name in the Dental Tourism Industry.
Dr. Meza’s excellence comes from a sincere desire to understand each patient’s needs and find the best way to help them. That personal touch and caring heart make him unique, and he looks for that same desire to help every team member.
Outside the office, Dr. Meza enjoys fitness, surfing, travel, fashion, and spending quality time on the boat with his wife of 29 years and their two sons.
These aren’t just dentists. They are exceptional human beings who bring warmth and humor to an industry that can often seem cold and impersonal, and we can’t wait for you to meet them.
Meza Dental Care in San José
Two amazingly talented dentists, Dr. Jose Umana and Dr. Roberto Hernandez, round out the home office, which is located in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Dr. Jose Umana
Dr. Jose Umana is a Summa Cum Laude graduate. The newest member of the Meza Team, he joined the San Jose team in 2015 and has a bright future ahead of him. His specialties include Cosmetic Dentistry and Dental Surgery with a focus on Implants.
He has attended post-graduate training at UCLA and the Global Institute for Dental Education (gIDE) at Loma Linda University in California. His accreditations include:
- 2014- Doctor in Dental Surgery. Universidad Latina of Costa Rica,
- 2015-2016- Rehabilitation with Implant Placement Program Implantec / Biohorizons,
- 2016- Master Clinician Program for Implant Dentistry at gIDE/Loma Linda University, CA,
- 2018- Postgraduate Training of Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry at UCLA
You can find Jose playing sports or at the beach outside the office. He is an easy-going family man who enjoys quiet lunches and good coffee in the company of his family and friends.
Meza Dental Care in Cancún
In August 2022, Dr. Meza realized his dream of going global by opening a second clinic in Cancún, Mexico. This will enable his team to serve even more international patients.
So far, we only have one full-time dentist in the Cancún office, but with the dedication to excellence and service at the heart of our mission, we hope to see it grow and expand into a thriving dental tourism destination in the next few years.
We are happy to introduce Dr. Mauricio Peña, who attended the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico from 1995-2000, followed by the Universidad de Guadalajara from 2003-2005. He received a degree in Pediatric Dentistry from La Universidad de Guadalajara in 2008.
Since then, Mauricio has continued to study and grow. His experience and accreditations include:
- Maintaining a private practice from 2007-present
- Serving as a consulting physician, and coordinator of the pediatric dentistry area at the Centro de Rehabilitacion Infantil Tleton Quintana Roo from 2008-2018
- Certified by the National Council of Pediatrics or Ontology. 2011
- Certified by the General Health Council of Mexico
- Certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
Dr. Peña’s specialties include:
- Maxillofacial orthopedics (which is the study of dental alignment and arches)
- Oral rehabilitation in pediatric patients under general anesthesia,
- Oral rehabilitation in patients with disabilities.
It’s an impressive list, to be sure, but for many years, his practice concentrated on helping children, and his accreditations meant very little to them. They loved him for his ready smile, his
His calm, comforting demeanor and willingness to take the time to get to know them and help them relax were impressive.
Working with kids, especially with ones that have disabilities, requires the kind of personality that soothes scared or skittish patients and leaves them feeling understood and safe. He is so good at helping patients of all ages feel cared for and protected that it earned
On his days off, Mauricio and his family like to stay healthy and enjoy the outdoors, especially the deserts of Baja, with their unique terrain and otherworldly landscapes.
We are proud to welcome Dr. Peña into the Meza Dental family, and we can’t wait for you to meet him.
The Meza Dental Care Team
Dentists are an essential part of the Meza Dental team but aren’t the only ones.
We are proud to have found such a warm, compassionate, talented group of specialists. Everyone on that team will always give their best, creating an enjoyable work environment.
We hope you will show us exactly what we mean by letting us create the perfect smile for you. Call us toll-free from Canada or the US at 1-(877)-337-6392, or email us at contact@mezadentalcare.com. Our friendly, English-speaking staff is always happy to answer any questions.
