5 minute read
DUNBAR SMILES
Although typically, most people do not get excited at the prospect of a dental appointment, Dunbar Smiles consistently receives glowing testimonials that speak to the kind and professional team that puts patients at ease and delivers excellent results.
Dr. Sabeen Tiwana owns the practice that has been a Dunbar fixture for 50 years. In November 2020, Dr. Tiwana took over the established business from Dr. George Porteous, who, in turn, acquired the practice from the original owner, Dr. Patricia Piller.
Dr. Tiwana shares, “I am happy to have purchased Dunbar Smiles from Dr. Porteous. He was highly respected and had a lot of clients; we continue to honour his memory by keeping his name on the window.”
We are known for being friendly and approachable, and this helps put patients at ease.
The goal is to ensure patients feel relaxed and comfortable when they arrive. The waiting room resembles a cozy living room with a sofa, carpet and diverse reading materials; patients are also welcome to help themselves to a cup of coffee.
Dunbar Smiles’s tight-knit team comprises Dr. Tiwana, a hygienist and office manager.
Dr. Tiwana has intentionally kept the family-oriented practice small as she has three children and desires a work-life balance. She says, “It is gratifying to own my practice, and I enjoy the flexibility of being able to work around my family.”
Dr. Tiwana shares, “I’m a stickler for staying on schedule with my appointments — only an emergency might delay me.” She adds, “Emergency patients are always seen the same day, even if they’re not my regular patients. If someone is in pain, I’ll ensure they’re cared for.”
Most of her patients are from the area, and many walk to her office. With Dunbar Smiles’s long history, Dr. Tiwana sees generations of clients, from grandparents to their children and grandchildren.
She says, “Although there are people who have dental anxiety, I see it improving. Some older clients had a bad experience in the past and have avoided seeking dental treatment for many years. We email patients pre-appointment forms to complete, which I will review in person. The experience is very personalized. We discuss their comfort level and dental history. We build rapport and trust in this very relaxed environment.”
Patient satisfaction is one of the great rewards of her career.
“To transform the smile of someone who feels self-conscious gives me the satisfaction of making a difference; everyone deserves to love their smile!”
Dr. Tiwana comes from a family with many doctors; however, she chose a profession that combines her two loves, art and science. She holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Demonte University, Lahore, Pakistan, and a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from TUFTS University, Boston, where she specialized in personalized and culturally competent patient care. Drawing on her experience as a female, immigrant, and person of colour, she sought to understand the intersectional impact of these social identities through a faculty and student perspective in academic institutions.
Dr. Tiwana is also a part-time instructor at the University of British Columbia and instructs dental students in clinics when they are operating on patients. In addition, Dr. Tiwana provides free dental checkups for homeless people and refugees at another dental office. Regarding this voluntary service, she says, “I feel I have to do more to help.”
Dunbar Smiles’s standard preventative sixmonth checkups keep smiles bright and healthy. After cleaning and polishing, she sits with patients to discuss gums, oral health, and gum disease.
Dr. Tiwana’s expertise in cosmetic dentistry uses cutting-edge techniques and advanced materials to create beautiful, natural smiles with veneers, crowns, in-lays, and on-lays.
I love how cosmetic dentistry improves people’s confidence.
If you are seeking orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is a clear, convenient, and comfortable option to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without going through the traditional method of aligning teeth with wires and brackets.
While X-rays provide valuable information, with an intraoral camera and 3-D scanner, Dr. Tiwana takes photos of patients’ teeth to monitor if changes have taken place. She can see every aspect of their teeth and mouth with incredible detail, uncovering cracked teeth, plaque deposits, cavities next to fillings, and excessive wear.
Botox is used not only for smoothening wrinkles but also to treat temporomandibular joint disorders, tension-type headaches, bruxism, excessive gingival display, orthodontic relapse due to severe muscle movement, sialorrhea, trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasms and oromandibular pain.
A child’s first dental appointment should be enjoyable. It is recommended that children visit the dentist at age two and return for annual visits. Dunbar Smiles makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. A post-appointment visit to the treasure chest is always a highly anticipated perk!
Dr. Tiwana finds many rewards in her profession; however, she believes the greatest is making a difference daily while doing what she loves. She says, “People genuinely appreciate it — whether it’s pain relief, teeth cleaning, cosmetic procedures, or even root canals and antibiotics."
“I can’t believe it’s been almost five years since I became the owner of Dunbar Smiles. My long-term vision is to expand the practice and eventually move to a larger location in Dunbar, but for now, it’s perfect just the way it is.”
Dunbar Smiles
5-3615 W 19th Avenue Vancouver, BC V6S 1C5
Phone 604-224-3115
Article by Sarah Gordon (April 2025) @PALLAMEDIA
