– by Barry Mathias –
This is the fourth in a six-part series of profiles on some great local businesses that are working to keep us all in good health.
Unlike earlier times, a visit to a modern dentist can be a comfortable, enjoyable experience; such is the case if you visit Sidney Centre Family Dentistry. Dr. Loren Braun and his wife Dr. Jacalyn (Jaci) Sollid established the practice at #215 – 9764 Fifth Street in 2000, after they had both qualified as Doctors of Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Loren has an honours BSc. in Biology from the University of Victoria, and gained a scholarship in Prosthodontics from UBC. Jaci also attended UVic, and majored in Biology. Her father was a dentist, which gave her some practical insights into the profession.
They married while still at University. “We chose Sidney because we wanted to work in a rural setting, and have easy access to the airport, the ferries and the countryside,” Jaci says. “Sidney is a good place to raise children.” Loren works from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and this schedule allows him to get back to his family and be the hockey coach for his two sons: Riley, 11 and Payton, 13.
Originally, she and her husband shared the workweek, enabling one of them always to be at home with their two boys. However, in 2007 Jaci was forced to give up dental practice due to a health issue with her neck. “At this point Loren became the full-time dentist, which he loves, and I became a full-time mother, homeschooling the boys.” Jaci is still much involved with their dental practice, overseeing the books and keeping in touch with their staff of six.
“Originally, we bought a small, two-chair practice from a retiring dentist,” she says. “Today, we have seven operatories.” Their two hygienists, Trevor and Amanda, have their own chairs; the other five surgeries allow their dental assistants, Karen and Ashley, to prepare patients for Loren, and the space allows greater flexibility. “If we are very busy, having extra chairs allows Loren to care for people with dental emergencies without having to interrupt the previously planned treatment of other patients.”
When Jaci and Loren first qualified there was no digital radiology, and x-rays were cumbersome. Modern machinery gives off minimal radiation, and with the aid of computers, a patient is able to see the inside of their mouth on a big screen. “It makes it easier to explain the problem and the planned treatment,” Jaci explains.
Another improvement is the use of restorative materials to fill cavities and repair teeth. Many people used to have silver amalgam fillings involving the use of mercury; these are rarely used today. Some do opt for gold fillings on their back teeth. “Gold is a perfect material,” Jaci agrees, “but most people will opt for white composites.”
“We have a modern facility,” she says, “and comprehensive treatment is offered to patients of all ages, from implants, crowns and bridges to dentures, root canals and tooth whitening.” Loren’s treatment includes extractions where necessary, including wisdom teeth. “For anxious patients, oral sedation and IV sedation by an anesthesiologist are available.”
Insurance is a major factor in modern dentistry, as patients have a variety of different insurance plans. “We accept insurance assignment of benefits,” Jaci explains. “This means that we directly bill companies on behalf of patients, so they are only required to directly pay their “copay” percentage to us. The remainder we collect directly from their insurance company.” This is a great benefit for patients who might otherwise have financial difficulties.
This is a thriving family practice that caters to all aspects of patients’ dental needs. “Everybody loves our hygienists, Trevor and Amanda, and our two receptionists, Tina and Liz are always happy to do their best in accommodating busy schedules,” Jaci says proudly. In fact the hygienists will, occasionally, start at 6:30 a.m. to enable patients to go to work with “a big smile!”
