From Pizza Deliveries in Berlin to Leading Veterinary Dentistry in Europe: The Story of Cuban Oriol Specht

The journey of Oriol Specht Anaya exemplifies the heights Cubans can reach when they break free from the constraints of the oppressive system. Transitioning from delivering pizzas on the streets of Berlin, Germany, to establishing his own company specializing in veterinary dental equipment—unique across Europe—his path is defined by perseverance, creativity, and talent. "Cubans can indeed be successful," Specht stated in an exclusive interview with Cubanet. He is at the helm of Oriena Dental Hamburg GmbH, a firm that designs and manufactures mobile veterinary dental units used in Germany, Poland, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.

His innovative dental units allow for multiple procedures to be performed simultaneously, significantly reducing anesthesia time for animals, a factor he considers vital for pet health.

From Cuba to Berlin: A Fresh Start

During the interview, Oriol fondly recalled his early days in Germany: "When I began studying at the Free University of West Berlin, I had no scholarship, so I delivered pizza, cleaned buildings, and worked for a crepe company to fund my studies." Repeating university coursework in German was no simple feat: "I had to retake nearly everything, except for physiology and anatomy. My room was filled with papers translating from Spanish to German until I mastered the language."

After graduation, he worked as a manager at Bayer, but his entrepreneurial spirit soon led him to the Netherlands, where he started as a mobile veterinarian. He eventually founded his first clinic and specialized in veterinary dentistry in Sweden before launching his company in Hamburg.

A Natural Inventor

"I've always been an inventor. As a child, I made makeshift carts. When I requested equipment for mobile dental medicine and was told it didn't exist, I decided to create it myself," Specht recounted to Cubanet. Thus, Oriena Dental was born, with equipment named after his daughters. Now, he aims to expand into the United States, where he has already established a new base in Miami. "What I couldn't achieve in Cuba, I accomplished here, in freedom. That is the most valuable thing," he affirmed.

Embracing Challenges Abroad

Despite living in Germany for 35 years, Specht acknowledges the struggle to earn respect: "Germans can be tough, and I'll always be seen as a foreigner. But when you prove your expertise, perceptions change."

His message to young people is clear: "Every challenge outside of Cuba, no matter how daunting, is easier than those faced back home. If we've learned to survive without light, water, and freedom, with discipline, anything is possible abroad," he advised.

Thanks to his equipment, thousands of dogs and cats now receive quality dental care across Europe. "I feel free. I've achieved things I never imagined possible in Cuba. That fills me with pride," concluded this native of the island, who shines brightly and deserves full recognition.