About Our Team
Our expert San Jose dentists are a kind and compassionate team who are sincerely dedicated to helping you achieve all you desire for your smile. Our team loves to help people make the best of their vacations. They can help you fill out your insurance information, arrange transport to and from the airport or your hotel of choice, and give you recommendations for how you can spend your time while in Costa Rica.
Meet Telma Rubinstein, DDS
Medical Tourism pioneer and practice co-founder, Dr. Telma Rubinstein, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1983. After many years of practice, Dr. Rubinstein saw the need to advance her studies in the field of dental implants, so she obtained additional training in the science of tooth replacement in 2001. Dr. Rubinstein has also received advanced training in cosmetic dentistry in Switzerland, implant dentistry in Montreal, Costa Rica, and the University of Miami, and in periodontics in the USA. She is fully trained in all aspects of full-mouth restoration. She maintains active memberships in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, USA and the Prosthodontic Section of the Collegium Internationale of Oral Implantologists, USA.
After earning her dental degree, Dr. Rubinstein and her husband Dr. Josef Cordero saw the need for affordable dental care in Costa Rica for the many travelers who vacation here. Knowing they could meet this need, Drs. Rubinstein and Cordero founded Prisma Dental, Costa Rica, with the sincere wish to help a global audience access expert dental care at affordable prices. With her focus on full-mouth restorations and cosmetic makeovers, Dr. Rubinstein loves to raise a patient’s self-esteem and provide the dental education necessary to ensure a lifetime of excellent oral health. She is also dedicated to the oral health needs of her community and regularly attends schools to help children establish the good oral health habits that support a healthy smile.
Dr. Rubinstein and Dr. Cordero met as classmates when just nine years old. In time, they married and had two beautiful daughters. Nicole manages Prisma Dental Supply, and Dr. Nadine Cordero is a practicing dentist at Prisma Dental with a master’s degree in Periodontology. In her spare time, Dr. Rubinstein enjoys sports, practicing yoga, going to the movies or the theatre, dancing, reading, and enjoying good quality time with her family. The family has a Shitzu dog named Juno, several fish, a parrot, and a turtle named Lily.
Meet Josef Cordero, DDS
Medical Tourism pioneer and practice co-founder Dr. Josef Cordero earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1982. He chose a career in dentistry because he loved the way it combines artistic, technical, and precision skills. With his focus on the surgical placement and rehabilitation of dental implants, Dr. Cordero has pursued continuing education with a passion. He has received advanced training in cosmetic dentistry in Switzerland, implant dentistry in Montreal, Costa Rica, and the University of Miami, and in laboratory technician supervision. He maintains active memberships in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, USA and the Prosthodontic Section of the Collegium Internationale of Oral Implantologists, USA.
Seeing that many travelers to his native Costa Rica desired expert dental care at lower prices than they could find back home, Dr. Cordero and his wife Dr. Telma Rubinstein established Prisma Dental, Costa Rica, with the mandate to provide a full suite of services, including a dental lab and supply company. While returning the function and esthetics of your smile, Dr. Cordero takes a collaborative approach with your care. By fully understanding your needs, he is able to recommend a variety of treatment options so you can feel confident with your choices. Dedicated to his community, Dr. Cordero also provides ad honorem dental work for low income patients in and around San Jose.
Friendly since elementary school, Dr. Cordero and his wife Dr. Telma Rubinstein became best friends at dental school and married after they graduated. Their two little girls are not so little anymore. After growing up in their parents’ dental world, they now share their passion. Nicole manages the Prisma Dental Supply and Dr. Nadine Cordero practices at the clinic as a dental specialist with a master’s degree in periodontology. In his spare time, Dr. Cordero enjoys four-wheeling, biking, and traveling. He affectionately calls the family dog Chewy and takes more pleasure than he knew possible from their Koi pond.
Meet Carolina Núñez, DDS
After earning her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica in 2004, Dr. Núñez joined the team at Prisma Dental as a dental assistant. Seeing the profound difference that Drs. Rubinstein and Cordero made in their patient’s lives, Dr. Núñez knew that her true passion lay in cosmetic and esthetic dentistry, so she went back to school and earned her general dentistry degree in 2013. With dedicated training in Cosmetic & Aesthetic dentistry, Dr. Núñez has developed the skills and artistry working with resin to help transform her patients' smiles.
Dr. Núñez understands how the look of your smile can have a tremendous impact on how it feels for you to smile and laugh – or even how accepted you feel in social situations. With a strong desire to help you overcome these feelings, Dr. Núñez places her focus on helping you love your smile so you can feel more confident in every area of your life. Dr. Núñez’s greatest joy is seeing how happy and satisfied you are with your dental work and knowing that this decision may have changed your life.
When she is not helping her family of patients love their smiles, Dr. Núñez shares her home and life with two Maltese dogs named Elvis Presley and Tony Bennet. In her spare time, Dr. Núñez enjoys going to the movies, and like many who visit her homeland of Costa Rica, she loves exploring new restaurants and going to the beach. When you meet Dr. Núñez, you may recognize one of her lips from our logo! Hers is the bottom lip and a kind patient gave permission to use hers as the top.
Meet Roberto Hernandez, MsD, Endodontist
Having always loved the idea of becoming a dentist, Dr. Hernandez earned his general dentist degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1996. In his first few years of practice, Dr. Hernandez wanted to learn more about how he could save teeth that were heavily compromised, so he went back to school at the University of Guadalajara Mexico and earned his specialty designation in endodontics in 2004. Dr. Hernandez joined the Prisma Dental team in 2013. Since then, he has taken great pleasure in knowing that his specialized skills can not only save your teeth, but can also help you achieve greater oral health and enjoy a life without tooth pain.
Dr. Hernandez loves helping people in any way he can, and as an endodontist, he gets to do this every day. He takes a warm and caring approach and will take the time to explain what he plans to do to help you so that you can feel confident with your care decision. As a specialist in saving teeth, Dr. Hernandez is an expert at diagnosing issues of the dental pulp and uses his advanced skills and vast experience to solve the problem effectively and with compassion. He treats every person in his care as though they are beloved family members while ensuring you are comfortable and relaxed throughout your visit with him.
A devout family man, Dr. Hernandez loves married life. He and his wife Carolina have a son and daughter who are joys in their lives – he loves watching them grow and learn. A great sports enthusiast, Dr. Hernandez take great joy in challenging himself while playing sports and participating in triathlons.
Meet Nadine Cordero, DDS, MsD, Periodontist
Growing up in her parents’ dental world, choosing a career in dentistry was an easy choice for Dr. Cordero. She loves that’s it’s a hands-on career that meets her need for a challenge and her desire to find innovative solutions to these challenges. After earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2013, Dr. Cordero wanted to offer more specialty services at Prisma Dental, so she remained in school and earned her Master of Science in Dentistry (Periodontology) degree in 2018 and became an implant fellow in 2019. As of October 2021, Nadine's become a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
Ensuring all of your dental needs are met with care and excellence in one convenient location is Dr. Cordero's priority – and that you can access this care while you vacation in her favorite place in the world is her joy. She is a kind and caring professional who takes the time to understand your needs while she provides expert gum care, including periodontal surgery and placing dental implants so you can smile and eat with confidence. Dr. Cordero is always seeking the best for her family of patients – not just the best care, but also the best experience. She truly wants you to enjoy your vacation, your dental care, and your new, healthy smile.
Because her passion is helping people, Dr. Cordero also supports low income members of her community with ad honorem dental care. When not helping others, she loves everything that Costa Rica has to offer, so she spends as much time as she can in nature – rock climbing, hiking, and traveling. If you want to know more about what you can do while on your vacation, Dr. Cordero would love to tell you about her experiences.
Meet Mary Tere Salas, MsD, Orthodontist
Growing up in a large family in San Jose, Dr. Mary Tere Salas’ dental career began at one of her first dental appointments. She respected what her dentist did for people and knew right away that helping people transform their smiles would become her passion.
While attending the University of Costa Rica, Dr. Salas found that she loved the way that aesthetics and function play a key role in long-term oral health and won a scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh. In 2000 Dr. Salas earned her Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics dental specialty degree and she has been changing smiles and lives ever since.
Dr. Salas makes it her priority to understand why you want to start the orthodontic journey so she can provide the support and options that best suit your needs and desires for a healthy and beautiful smile. Embracing the technology designed to improve your orthodontic experience, Dr. Salas is constantly updating her practice. Gone are the days of goopy impression material – with digital impressions she can take a complete 3D scan in minutes while you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Whether she is helping you find your dream smile with traditional band and bracket braces or with Invisalign® clear aligners, Dr. Salas loves seeing the end results as much as you will.
When she’s not making smile dreams come true, Dr. Salas loves to stay active by dancing or jogging. She is a proud mother of three adult children. As busy professionals themselves, they have all grown up to be excellent people with great values.
Meet Alejandro Montero, MD, Anesthesiologist
Growing up in Moravia, just outside of San Jose, Dr. Montero had two loves – horses and helping others. One he turned into a hobby, and the other, a career. After earning his Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Montero continued his education to become a specialist in Anesthesiology and Recovery. He has been helping our family of patients through their surgical procedures and ensuring a smooth recovery afterwards since 2002. He maintains active professional affiliations with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica, the Association of Physicians and Anesthesiologists of Costa Rica (AMACR), and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
Dr. Montero takes his responsibility as your caregiver during dental surgery seriously and uses his expertise to give you a high-quality experience while our dental team gives you a high-quality smile. He takes the time to learn your individual needs and to ensure you are calm and relaxed before your procedure, so that when you wake up, your focus will only be on your beautiful new smile.
When he is not helping you get the care you want and deserve or spending time with his partner Carolina, Dr. Montero enjoys focusing on his other lifetime love … horses.
Meet Telma Rubinstein, DDS
Medical Tourism pioneer and practice co-founder, Dr. Telma Rubinstein, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1983. After many years of practice, Dr. Rubinstein saw the need to advance her studies in the field of dental implants, so she obtained additional training in the science of tooth replacement in 2001. Dr. Rubinstein has also received advanced training in cosmetic dentistry in Switzerland, implant dentistry in Montreal, Costa Rica, and the University of Miami, and in periodontics in the USA. She is fully trained in all aspects of full-mouth restoration. She maintains active memberships in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, USA and the Prosthodontic Section of the Collegium Internationale of Oral Implantologists, USA.
After earning her dental degree, Dr. Rubinstein and her husband Dr. Josef Cordero saw the need for affordable dental care in Costa Rica for the many travelers who vacation here. Knowing they could meet this need, Drs. Rubinstein and Cordero founded Prisma Dental, Costa Rica, with the sincere wish to help a global audience access expert dental care at affordable prices. With her focus on full-mouth restorations and cosmetic makeovers, Dr. Rubinstein loves to raise a patient’s self-esteem and provide the dental education necessary to ensure a lifetime of excellent oral health. She is also dedicated to the oral health needs of her community and regularly attends schools to help children establish the good oral health habits that support a healthy smile.
Dr. Rubinstein and Dr. Cordero met as classmates when just nine years old. In time, they married and had two beautiful daughters. Nicole manages Prisma Dental Supply, and Dr. Nadine Cordero is a practicing dentist at Prisma Dental with a master’s degree in Periodontology. In her spare time, Dr. Rubinstein enjoys sports, practicing yoga, going to the movies or the theatre, dancing, reading, and enjoying good quality time with her family. The family has a Shitzu dog named Juno, several fish, a parrot, and a turtle named Lily.
Meet Josef Cordero, DDS
Medical Tourism pioneer and practice co-founder Dr. Josef Cordero earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1982. He chose a career in dentistry because he loved the way it combines artistic, technical, and precision skills. With his focus on the surgical placement and rehabilitation of dental implants, Dr. Cordero has pursued continuing education with a passion. He has received advanced training in cosmetic dentistry in Switzerland, implant dentistry in Montreal, Costa Rica, and the University of Miami, and in laboratory technician supervision. He maintains active memberships in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, USA and the Prosthodontic Section of the Collegium Internationale of Oral Implantologists, USA.
Seeing that many travelers to his native Costa Rica desired expert dental care at lower prices than they could find back home, Dr. Cordero and his wife Dr. Telma Rubinstein established Prisma Dental, Costa Rica, with the mandate to provide a full suite of services, including a dental lab and supply company. While returning the function and esthetics of your smile, Dr. Cordero takes a collaborative approach with your care. By fully understanding your needs, he is able to recommend a variety of treatment options so you can feel confident with your choices. Dedicated to his community, Dr. Cordero also provides ad honorem dental work for low income patients in and around San Jose.
Friendly since elementary school, Dr. Cordero and his wife Dr. Telma Rubinstein became best friends at dental school and married after they graduated. Their two little girls are not so little anymore. After growing up in their parents’ dental world, they now share their passion. Nicole manages the Prisma Dental Supply and Dr. Nadine Cordero practices at the clinic as a dental specialist with a master’s degree in periodontology. In his spare time, Dr. Cordero enjoys four-wheeling, biking, and traveling. He affectionately calls the family dog Chewy and takes more pleasure than he knew possible from their Koi pond.
Meet Carolina Núñez, DDS
After earning her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica in 2004, Dr. Núñez joined the team at Prisma Dental as a dental assistant. Seeing the profound difference that Drs. Rubinstein and Cordero made in their patient’s lives, Dr. Núñez knew that her true passion lay in cosmetic and esthetic dentistry, so she went back to school and earned her general dentistry degree in 2013. With dedicated training in Cosmetic & Aesthetic dentistry, Dr. Núñez has developed the skills and artistry working with resin to help transform her patients' smiles.
Dr. Núñez understands how the look of your smile can have a tremendous impact on how it feels for you to smile and laugh – or even how accepted you feel in social situations. With a strong desire to help you overcome these feelings, Dr. Núñez places her focus on helping you love your smile so you can feel more confident in every area of your life. Dr. Núñez’s greatest joy is seeing how happy and satisfied you are with your dental work and knowing that this decision may have changed your life.
When she is not helping her family of patients love their smiles, Dr. Núñez shares her home and life with two Maltese dogs named Elvis Presley and Tony Bennet. In her spare time, Dr. Núñez enjoys going to the movies, and like many who visit her homeland of Costa Rica, she loves exploring new restaurants and going to the beach. When you meet Dr. Núñez, you may recognize one of her lips from our logo! Hers is the bottom lip and a kind patient gave permission to use hers as the top.
Meet Roberto Hernandez, MsD, Endodontist
Having always loved the idea of becoming a dentist, Dr. Hernandez earned his general dentist degree from the University of Costa Rica in 1996. In his first few years of practice, Dr. Hernandez wanted to learn more about how he could save teeth that were heavily compromised, so he went back to school at the University of Guadalajara Mexico and earned his specialty designation in endodontics in 2004. Dr. Hernandez joined the Prisma Dental team in 2013. Since then, he has taken great pleasure in knowing that his specialized skills can not only save your teeth, but can also help you achieve greater oral health and enjoy a life without tooth pain.
Dr. Hernandez loves helping people in any way he can, and as an endodontist, he gets to do this every day. He takes a warm and caring approach and will take the time to explain what he plans to do to help you so that you can feel confident with your care decision. As a specialist in saving teeth, Dr. Hernandez is an expert at diagnosing issues of the dental pulp and uses his advanced skills and vast experience to solve the problem effectively and with compassion. He treats every person in his care as though they are beloved family members while ensuring you are comfortable and relaxed throughout your visit with him.
A devout family man, Dr. Hernandez loves married life. He and his wife Carolina have a son and daughter who are joys in their lives – he loves watching them grow and learn. A great sports enthusiast, Dr. Hernandez take great joy in challenging himself while playing sports and participating in triathlons.
Meet Nadine Cordero, DDS, MsD, Periodontist
Growing up in her parents’ dental world, choosing a career in dentistry was an easy choice for Dr. Cordero. She loves that’s it’s a hands-on career that meets her need for a challenge and her desire to find innovative solutions to these challenges. After earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2013, Dr. Cordero wanted to offer more specialty services at Prisma Dental, so she remained in school and earned her Master of Science in Dentistry (Periodontology) degree in 2018 and became an implant fellow in 2019. As of October 2021, Nadine's become a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.
Ensuring all of your dental needs are met with care and excellence in one convenient location is Dr. Cordero's priority – and that you can access this care while you vacation in her favorite place in the world is her joy. She is a kind and caring professional who takes the time to understand your needs while she provides expert gum care, including periodontal surgery and placing dental implants so you can smile and eat with confidence. Dr. Cordero is always seeking the best for her family of patients – not just the best care, but also the best experience. She truly wants you to enjoy your vacation, your dental care, and your new, healthy smile.
Because her passion is helping people, Dr. Cordero also supports low income members of her community with ad honorem dental care. When not helping others, she loves everything that Costa Rica has to offer, so she spends as much time as she can in nature – rock climbing, hiking, and traveling. If you want to know more about what you can do while on your vacation, Dr. Cordero would love to tell you about her experiences.
Meet Mary Tere Salas, MsD, Orthodontist
Growing up in a large family in San Jose, Dr. Mary Tere Salas’ dental career began at one of her first dental appointments. She respected what her dentist did for people and knew right away that helping people transform their smiles would become her passion.
While attending the University of Costa Rica, Dr. Salas found that she loved the way that aesthetics and function play a key role in long-term oral health and won a scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh. In 2000 Dr. Salas earned her Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics dental specialty degree and she has been changing smiles and lives ever since.
Dr. Salas makes it her priority to understand why you want to start the orthodontic journey so she can provide the support and options that best suit your needs and desires for a healthy and beautiful smile.
Embracing the technology designed to improve your orthodontic experience, Dr. Salas is constantly updating her practice. Gone are the days of goopy impression material – with digital impressions she can take a complete 3D scan in minutes while you feel comfortable and relaxed.
Whether she is helping you find your dream smile with traditional band and bracket braces or with Invisalign® clear aligners, Dr. Salas loves seeing the end results as much as you will.
Meet Alejandro Montero, MD, Anesthesiologist
Growing up in Moravia, just outside of San Jose, Dr. Montero had two loves – horses and helping others. One he turned into a hobby, and the other, a career. After earning his Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery, Dr. Montero continued his education to become a specialist in Anesthesiology and Recovery. He has been helping our family of patients through their surgical procedures and ensuring a smooth recovery afterwards since 2002. He maintains active professional affiliations with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Costa Rica, the Association of Physicians and Anesthesiologists of Costa Rica (AMACR), and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
Dr. Montero takes his responsibility as your caregiver during dental surgery seriously and uses his expertise to give you a high-quality experience while our dental team gives you a high-quality smile. He takes the time to learn your individual needs and to ensure you are calm and relaxed before your procedure, so that when you wake up, your focus will only be on your beautiful new smile.
When he is not helping you get the care you want and deserve or spending time with his partner Carolina, Dr. Montero enjoys focusing on his other lifetime love … horses.
