Dental Hygiene Done Differently
Previously operated under the name Smiles by Ambryn and was solely a mobile and outreach dental hygiene practice. Now we are excited to have a permanent home inside Island Optimal. This space allows us to service more of Nanaimo and surrounding community and help increase access to care. Island Optimal is a multidisciplinary and collaborative team of allied health professionals. We can work along side our resident RMTs, acupuncturist, osteopath and naturopath to improve your overall health.
Ambryn Ethier
Dental Hygiene Practitioner and the owner of Vancouver Island Dental Hygiene
I am a Metis and a local Nanaimo resident. I graduated as a Registered Dental Hygienist at from Vancouver Island University’s dental health program in 2016. I soon realized that I wanted to be able to provide more services to my patients, especially Indigenous patients who lived in remote areas. So, I completed the requirements to become an independent Dental Hygienist. That’s when I started my own company and began travelling to remote communities and offering mobile appointments. In September 2021 I earned the new title of Dental Hygiene Practitioner, and in August 2022 I opened my first office inside Island Optimal becoming part of a multidisciplinary team which has always been a dream of mine.
I am a firm believer in building relationships with health practitioners in other fields to bring focus to how oral health interacts with systemic health. My passion for this interactivity has led me to sit on the Interdisciplinary Policy Committee for the BCDHA.
In my free time I enjoy reading, camping and photography. I’m a very avid reader and you can find my used books around the clinic which are available for patients to take home along with their toothbrush.
Dental Hygiene Practitioners
How we’re different from Registered Dental Hygienists
Dental Hygiene Practitioners (DHP) are different from Registered Dental Hygienists (RDH) as they have been awarded a different title by the BC College of Oral Health Professionals. This accreditation allows DHP professionals to work independently of a dental practice. In short, we can treat you directly, and if we see anything that requires a dentist, we have the authority to make a recommendation for you to see one as soon as possible.
When you see me, you are receiving the professional services of an Independent DHP. You can rely on me for your regular dental cleanings which include taking your health history, exam, dental hygiene diagnosis, scaling, polish, fluoride and oral hygiene instruction. If your teeth are sensitive during cleanings, you can also receive local anesthetic.
You will first get a thorough exam and a treatment plan that will include a personalized recommended dental cleaning schedule. If there are any dental issues then I will let you know so you can book an appointment with your family dentist or help you find one.
Who else in your family would benefit from seeing a Dental Hygiene Practitioner?
Short answer: anyone in your family, from babies to seniors are welcome in my clinic. I think you might find my clinic to be a particularly pleasing option for you. People can be nervous about dental treatment at the best of times, but if it has been a while since your last exam and cleaning, or any dental care, you may feel especially nervous. I am very understanding of how life can get in the way of making appointments.
I can help ease you back into the dental treatment world with a thorough cleaning and screening. And when you leave, you will be wearing a healthy smile to greet the world.
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