Dr. Ardakani and his staff. From left: Nancy, Nicole, Dr. Ardakani, Jody, and Sandra. Missing from photo are Emily, Eileen, and Kirsten.

Nearly a year ago in October, Dr. Bryan Nordstrom made the decision to retire and sell his Viking and Sedgewick Dental practice. Stepping in to the area was Dr. Ardakani, with his associate, Dr. Daniel.

Ardakani says he knew Dr. Nordstrom, and adds that the opportunity came just at a time when he was ready to start his own practice.

Ardakani grew up in Iran, and moved to Canada, to Montreal, for his undergrad and Dentistry degree. After acquiring his degree, he moved to BC, practicing in a rural community in northern BC, and in the lower mainland.

When a friend from school with a practice in Edmonton made an offer to him as an associate, he made the move to Alberta, and has never looked back. “I never planned to come to rural Alberta, it just happened. It’s been great so far.”

Ardakani says, “Viking is a really great community, as are Killam and Sedgewick.”

When associate Daniel decided to return to Montreal, it didn’t slow him down at all.

He proceeded with some upgrades to equipment, like a new sterilization area, and minor renovations at the Viking location, and has worked on added services.

Just recently, he was granted hospital privileges in Viking, in order to provide services under anesthetic. Although it means he will need to purchase some new equipment, he says, “It’s great for me, and for my patients. Many people are very anxious, and prefer to be sedated, especially for extractions and implants.”

Ardakani says about 95 per cent of the clinic’s patients have remained with him, and he is expanding, taking on more families and children. “I like working with families, and my staff is very good with children.”

He’s been very busy, from day one, he says. “I feel like I made the right decision. I came here, and I’m needed here. Bryan was ready to retire, and I am here, somewhere where people need my services.”

He has nothing but compliments for Nordstrom, saying the clinics were well-run and well-organized prior to his taking over.

“And very good patients. We get a lot of comments that if it weren’t for us, people would have to go elsewhere, or not have a dentist at all. I’ve been welcomed with open arms, and I appreciate that very much. It’s a huge compliment to me.”

He’s added some services, doing Nobel implants, root canals, Invisalign braces, and Zoom whitening. Ardakani says that running a rural dentistry practice doesn’t mean offering the minimum of services. “It’s the contrary. We have to have a broader scope in our practice, we don’t have specialists close by to refer to.”