Meet the Metropolitan Dental Team!

Dr. Barton Walters, an Ottawa dentist

“Dr. Bart”, as he is affectionately known by many of his patients, is pleased to admit that he gathers no moss.

The founding father of Metropolitan Dental has been on a roll since he graduated from the University of Saskatchewan as a Doctor of Medical Dentistry in 1992: the same year he took over a general practice that has grown into one of Ottawa’s thriving centres for cosmetic and rehabilitative dentistry.

Committed to continuous learning, Dr. Walters devoted three years of part-time study to completing the master program in neuromuscular dentistry at the Las Vegas Institute of Advanced Dental Studies—the only school of its kind in the world. He is an active member of the Ontario Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of Computerized Dentistry of North America, and the Academy of Laser Dentistry.

The son of a dentist, Dr. Walters realized his calling when he was at university, studying to become an optometrist. “Dentistry is very artistic, very precise,” he says. “And you can literally change people’s lives through your work.”

Anyone familiar with his gentle, lighthearted manner also knows that Dr. Walters loves meeting people—which is why his other passions include travelling and lecturing on laser dentistry. “It’s rewarding to help other people find success in their practices,” he says. “I motivate them to reach beyond their comfort zone.”

Dr. Andrew Kaplan - Ottawa Dentist

Ask Dr. Kaplan what he looks forward to about going to work every morning, and he’ll tell you two things: the people and the practice.

“Dentistry is a very people-oriented profession, and I like that,” he says. “I get a lot of enjoyment out of creating smiles and taking care of patients’ problems.”

It was the desire to use his medical skills in a setting where he “could also talk to people” that prompted the Toronto native to earn a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree at the University of British Columbia after already completing a Ph.D in bone physiology at the University of Western Ontario. He has since gone on to work on the masters course of aesthetic implant dentistry.

“It’s a fascinating area that is advancing and growing rapidly,” he says. “More and more people are choosing implants as an option over dentures or bridges.”

Dr. Kaplan joined the tightly knit gang at Metropolitan Dental in 2006 and is a full partner in the growing practice. He smiles when he and Dr. Walters are described as bookends for sharing a friendly, upbeat manner and strong belief in both staff and patient education. “We definitely compliment each other,” he says, “both in and out of the office.”

First-time fatherhood has shifted Dr. Kaplan’s leisure pursuits from skiing and tennis to sleepless nights and diaper changes.

Grace Sikkema

Like her two colleagues on Metropolitan Dental’s front desk, Grace was a dental assistant before becoming a receptionist. Her hands-on clinical experience not only means she can assist, if needed, but also gives her an inside edge when it comes to scheduling patients.

“Knowing what procedures involve and how long they’re going to take helps me arrange everyone’s day so it runs as smoothly as possible,” she says. “It also helps me with billing to know all the procedural codes.”

A front-line veteran, Grace joined the practice in 1995. She made her move from the back room to reception because she enjoys working independently and loves interacting with patients. An avid gardener, reader, and grandmother, her empathy and diplomatic skills suit her role perfectly.

“I’m a good listener, and seeing the same people year after year gives me the opportunity to develop real relationships with them,” she says. “I also know that some people are nervous when they visit the dentist—so I like to keep the atmosphere lighthearted.“

Katie Simser

“If you’re having fun, why stop?” That’s the kind of positive attitude that has kept Katie in the dental field for more than 40 years—even after taking a big break in the middle of her career to raise four kids.

Now a grandmother six times over, the Kemptville resident is a preventive dental assistant who appreciates the opportunities Metropolitan Dental gives her to constantly upgrade her skills. “I may be one of the older ladies here,” she laughs, “but I like learning new tricks.”

A former florist and an avid nature lover, Katie admits she’s in her glory when she’s gardening. She carries her hands-on approach to the office, where you’ll find her standing over her patients, watching every procedure closely. “I like to get right in there,” she says. “I try to stay one step ahead so I can be ready with the next instrument before Dr. Kaplan asks for it.”

Katie credits her ability to put a smile on patients’ faces to a sense of humour and an easygoing manner. “I just go with the flow,” she smiles.

Vanessa Ripley

Move over Tony Robbins: when it comes to convincing patients to take care of their teeth and gums, Vanessa is a motivational speaker bar none.

“I enjoy the challenge of trying to influence people’s behaviour when I only see them for one hour every six months,” says the busy hygienist. “I try to explain that a healthy mouth is an integral part of your overall well-being.”

Inspired to pursue her career by a “kind, gentle, and informative” hygienist she met during a co-op work term in high school, Vanessa also welcomed the chance to be her own practitioner—something she had long admired about her mother and grandmother, both of whom were nurses.

Blessed with energy and enthusiasm to burn, Vanessa says she spends her leisure time “perpetually redecorating and redesigning” her home. Little wonder she thrives on the progressive, fast-paced environment at Metropolitan Dental—which has been her home-away-from home since 2000.

“It’s a really fun place to work and the people are wonderful,” she says. “We’re like magnets here: we’re all attracted to each other.”

Hetty VanBokhorst

If you ask Hetty why she’s been a dental assistant at the same office for more than 30 years, she’ll tell you she either loves it or doesn’t know any better. It doesn’t take long to figure out it’s the former.

“I get along super well with the people I work with, and with 11 women in the office, that’s amazing,” she laughs. “The nice thing is that we all have different jobs, but everyone treats each other as equals. We work together as a team.”

A former homecare and childcare worker, Hetty’s way with people and uncanny ability to colour-match porcelain by sight make her an invaluable member of Metropolitan Dental. Her favourite part of the job? “Changing the way people feel about themselves,” she says. “It’s incredible to see someone go from smiling with their hand in front of their face to showing off a big, bright smile.”

An empty nester now that her two kids have left home, Hetty enjoys walking her dogs, snowmobiling, gardening, and hiking on her 20-acre property near Osgoode when she isn’t camping or teaching singing at Sunday school.

Lyane Raistrick

Lyane doesn’t take it personally when some of her clients almost drift off to sleep while they’re in her chair. The soft-spoken hygienist knows it’s a comment on her soothing voice and gentle touch—and not her conversational ability!

One of the reasons Lyane chose her profession was to help make visits to the dentist a positive experience. “I had a lot of problems with my teeth when I was little, and I know what it’s like to be afraid,” she says. ”That’s why it’s my daily mission to make my clients as relaxed and comfortable as possible.”

The busy mother of two says the best part of her job is the social interaction she enjoys with her patients—whom she considers “friends and family”.

Fluently bilingual and trained to assist with routine restorative procedures, Lyane has been with Metropolitan Dental since 1996. Although the commute from Barrhaven seems long at times, she doesn’t mind: “With all the new technologies we have, I’m challenged every day,” she says. “If I worked anywhere else I’d be bored!”

Stephen Smith

Ask anyone at Metropolitan Dental to describe Steve in a single word and they’ll probably use the same one he does when he talks about the docs at the helm of the practice: Dynamo.

A geographer by trade, Steve puts his extensive experience in human-resource management and information technology to good use as the manager of the growing office. “I’ve travelled a lot, managing a large multinational team,” he says. “It’s a nice change to be part of a small family, where I’m like a brother and a boss at the same time.”

Steve’s first achievement on joining the half-century-old practice in 2001 was to relocate it to newer, more modern quarters. Since then, the visionary manager has transformed it into a model for other offices by integrating the most leading-edge technologies.

“We use our office as a petrie dish to rejuvenate dentistry,” he says. “It’s awesome to see how everyone has embraced these changes—and how proud they are of being at the forefront of their profession.”

Although free time is a rarity for Steve, who also runs his own consulting business, he admits to a penchant for gardening, dogs, and music—and an aversion to cold weather.

Jennifer Newey

An apprentice do-it-yourselfer with a strange sense of humour, Jennifer would be the first to admit that her job as a dental assistant is manifesting itself after hours as a growing fondness for power tools.

Jennifer half-jokingly describes her “sole hobby” as renovating and rebuilding her house with the help of her husband Robin, who is a heritage-carpenter by trade. It’s not surprising that she finds her greatest on-the-job satisfaction in the end results of Metropolitan Dental’s cosmetic and orthodontic work.

“It’s really rewarding being there from start to finish,” she says, “and seeing people pain-free and happy.”

An Ottawa native with plaid roots, Jennifer says it was a love of people that spurred her to leave a career in hospitality to become a dental assistant. That was more than 20 years ago, and although she’s worked in a variety of offices since, she says her new home is hard to top.

“It’s a fun atmosphere,” she says, “and with all the efforts we make to keep up with the latest technologies, there’s never a dull moment.”

Ghiselle Meyers

The same boundless energy and enthusiasm she puts into her love of travelling, gardening, working out, and (most recently) motorbiking makes Ghiselle an exceptionally caring and motivating hygienist.

The job is a perfect fit for the mother of two grown children, who spent most of her more than 30 years in the dental profession as an assistant before she went back to school to begin her new career.

“I can’t imagine sitting at a computer all day,” she says. “What I love about dentistry is that the work is so varied and it’s constantly changing. You can’t get stale in our office, because we’re always learning and exploring new things.”

Although she misses her family and the balmy weather in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Ghiselle says interacting with her patients and colleagues keeps her from feeling homesick. “I’m a people person—and that’s what’s kept me in this business for so long,” she says. “Working with such a social bunch makes it fun to come to work.”

Sherry Portt

A thirst for knowledge and a degree in psychology give Sherry the strong analytical and interpersonal skills it takes to help run an office with two dentists, four hygienists, three assistants, and over 5000 patients.

“It’s kind of like solving a puzzle: taking all of these pieces of information and fitting them into a day,” she says. “I love watching the office flow and making sure everything is running the way our clinical folks want it to.”

Although Sherry worked briefly as an assistant, she has wanted to be a dental receptionist ever since she was a kid. “I had braces for four years, so I was at the dentist all the time,” she says. “I thought the women at the front desk were just great, and I knew that was something I wanted to do some day.”

Not surprising for someone who finds her greatest satisfaction in providing good customer service (in particular, solving insurance problems for patients), Sherry constantly upgrades her skills through continuing education courses. In her spare time, she offsets a zest for walking and cycling with a fondness for baking and cake-decorating.

Laura Norwood

The most recent addition to Metropolitan Dental’s hygiene team, Laura chose her new career path after completing her studies in psychology and recreation at the University of Ottawa.

“I felt like I was missing something, because I love sciences but I also love working with people,” she says. “I did some research and aptitude tests and they pointed to dental hygiene, which has been an ideal way to integrate the two.”

A self-professed thrill seeker whose favourite pasttimes include racing speedboats off the Atlantic coast, four-wheeling, and kite-sailing on Calabogie Lake, Laura’s drive and compassion are evident in every facet of her life. Her enthusiasm for fundraising and charity work was key to establishing Algonquin College’s first dental-hygiene bursary, which is awarded twice yearly in memory of a beloved classmate.

“I strive to be the best and am proud to be part of an office that does the same,” she says. “The holistic approach we take to treating the individual and the wide range of services we offer means our patients get the best care possible.”

Peggy Smith

Desirée Muir

Aimee Jodoin