Chantilly Smiles: Claudio Urquiaga, DDS

Dr. Claudio Urquiaga, with over 20 years of clinical experience, is dedicated to private practice, where he focuses on family and cosmetic dentistry at Chantilly Smiles, in Chantilly, Virginia. Dr. Urquiaga was born and raised in Lima, Peru. He received his bachelor’s and doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degrees in April of 1993, graduating with honors from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Lima. In 1994, he opened his own private practice and joined his alma mater as a dental faculty member the following year. Dr. Urquiaga spent 10 years teaching and practicing dentistry in his native Peru. In 2004, Dr. Urquiaga arrived in the United States and enrolled in the two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in Baltimore. Upon completing his residency, he joined the University of Maryland School of Dentistry as a full-time faculty member, a position he held for three years. Dr. Urquiaga has a gentle touch and takes every precaution to make his patients comfortable, particularly when applying anesthesia. Known affectionately as Dr. Claudio, his care for his patients' dental health and well-being is genuine. He believes that the stages of planning and explaining treatment plans are the most important steps toward a successful outcome, empowering patients to be well-informed decisions makers in the process. Dr. Urquiaga is married to Dr. Cecilia Velez, an assistant professor at University of Maryland School of Dentistry. The couple has three children: Sebastian, Alejandra, and Cynthia.