– by Hans Tammemagi –
This is the last in a six-part series of profiles on some great local businesses that are working to keep us all in good health.
As Dr. Mitra Hashemi toured me around the Coast Dental Cinic, I could tell that she was not only very proud of the modern, attractive facility, but was also deeply committed to the practice of dentistry. Many things impressed me about her clinic, located centrally in Sidney on the southeast corner of Resthaven and James White Boulevard. Each of the four patient rooms, for example, was enclosed by walls (not partitions), decorated in warm, friendly colours and equipped with modern instruments and equipment.
We stopped at a futuristic-looking instrument as tall as a human behind thick glass walls. “This is a dental cone beam CT (computed tomography) machine,” she explained. “It’s a special x-ray machine that generates three-dimensional images of teeth and fillings, soft tissues, nerve paths and bone in a single scan. These allow for more precise dental planning and treatment.” She smiled and added: “It’s the only one in Sidney.”
Next we stopped at a modern, automated autoclave. “We provide a wider range of implants and surgical procedures than most clinics. Because we do so much surgery, sterilization is very important. We’re pushing the dental boundaries with our instruments and procedures and work to hospital standards.”
As we sipped coffee in her office, I couldn’t help but notice that Dr. Hashemi’s bright, friendly smile is an excellent advertisement for the practice of dentistry. She explained that she moved from Iran to Canada in 2003. Committed to a career in dentistry from an early age, she completed a dentistry degree at University of Western Ontario. In 2008, her family (husband and two children) moved to Sidney and she started a practice here.
We discussed the workings of a modern dental practice. There are two parts to dentistry, Dr. Hashemi explained: the part which deals with the teeth, which you see, and the part which deals with surgery and implants, which is not visible. There is also a division between cosmetic and practical dentistry, that is, between making a more attractive smile and fixing problems such as cavities.
“My favourite aspect of this practice is surgery,” she said. “I love to get inside the mouth and really see up close what’s happening.” She explained that 80% of Coast Dental Care is geared toward the practical part of dental work, of which about half involves surgery. Only 20% of her practice deals with the cosmetic side.
Specializing in surgery doesn’t come easy. Dr. Hashemi has taken many additional courses including surgical implant training at the Harvard School of Medical Dentistry. “I’m constantly doing extra studies and work hard at staying up to date,” she said. “Currently, I am taking advanced training in higher levels of implant surgeries and also advanced stages of root canal therapy using microscopes.”
I learned that Dr. Hashemi’s hobbies are her family, travelling and reading. She also spoke enthusiastically about ORCCA (Oral Care for Children and Adolescents Dental Clinic Society), a non-profit organization that provides dental care for low-income young people up to age 18, who could not afford it otherwise. “Long ago, I met a young, good-looking man who was losing all his teeth and couldn’t afford any care. It moved me.” She cofounded ORCCA and is the co-chair of the board of directors. A dedicated ORCCA clinic will be completed this fall, and Dr. Hashemi expressed gratitude for the many people who donated to and supported this important initiative.
When we talked about the future, Dr. Hashemi said: “I can see that in 10 years this practice (which currently has two part-time dentists in addition to Dr. Hashemi and six staff) will be a unique dental implant centre, offering a wide range of basic and advanced family and implant dentistry all in one location.” I asked where that location would be. “I love living in Sidney,” she said, “Destiny brought us here. I have no intention of ever leaving. ”
Contact: www.coastdentalcare.ca.
