A 2012 Patient Story
In February 2012, Joe McDonald traveled from Calgary, Alberta, to Lima for extensive dental work at Smiles Peru. His video remains one of the earliest recorded patient experiences we still have on file.
Joe McDonald shares his experience with dental implants, crowns, and veneers at Smiles Peru. He visited in February 2012; the video was uploaded the following year.
Joe’s situation
Joe’s teeth had been damaged over time by medication related to epilepsy. After stopping the medication, he looked for a way to restore function and appearance. Quotes he received in Canada were high, and the recommended treatment felt more aggressive than he wanted.
He researched clinics online, contacted the clinic (speaking with Kirby at the time), sent X-rays, and received a clear plan and quote. He decided to combine the dental work with travel in Peru.
What he had done
During a three-week stay in February 2012 he received:
- Dental implants
- Crowns
- Veneers
The team adjusted the schedule so he could also visit Cusco and Machu Picchu. He specifically mentions that the doctors stayed late when needed so the work could be finished on time.
What stood out to him in 2012
Joe noted several things that still matter to international patients today:
- Clear communication and quick responses after he sent records
- A clinic environment he felt was on par with what he knew in Canada
- Staff who treated him more like a person than a transaction
- Significant cost difference compared with treatment at home
- Flexibility that allowed him to travel while the work was being completed
He ends the video by saying he would recommend Smiles Peru and is willing to share contact details with others considering the same path.
Why we keep this video
When we say the clinic has been treating international patients for many years, material like this is part of the record. Joe’s treatment took place in February 2012 — more than 14 years ago — and shows the same core elements we still emphasize: careful planning from records, coordination for traveling patients, and a focus on complex restorative work (implants, crowns, and veneers).
It is not a polished marketing piece. It is simply one patient’s account from the early period of the practice treating patients from Canada and elsewhere.
Looking at treatment today
The clinical approach has continued to develop since 2012 (digital planning, materials, and protocols have all advanced), but the fundamental reasons patients travel remain similar: complex cases, clear communication, and value relative to treatment at home.
If you are considering implants or full-arch rehabilitation and would like a current assessment based on your own records, we are happy to review them.
USA & Canada: +1 (888) 398-5854
WhatsApp: +51 995-540-050
Peru: +511 242-2152