Kamsack continues to be a leading edge community with the opening of a new dental clinic in the same building as the town’s existing medical clinic.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on November 21 at Kamsack Dental located in the Assiniboine Valley Medical Center.
Dr. Michael Mah, dentist and president, is the visionary and driving force behind the new facility.
“We are really happy to have a team here that is very passionate about our vision,” he said in remarks to the crowd attending the event. “We are grateful for the members of the Kamsack community who have aligned this vision with us. The members of the Assiniboine Valley Wellness Foundation, members of town council, the mayor and townspeople have been very supportive, and we appreciate all the love and support shown to us.
“We want to grow and continue to provide Kamsack and the surrounding communities with services they deserve. Thank you everyone for coming out today to celebrate with us. Take a tour of our facility and make sure you help yourself to some food,” he said.
Nancy Brunt, Kamsack’s mayor, cut the ribbon and extended greetings and congratulations on behalf of the town.
“On behalf of the Assiniboine Valley Health and Wellness foundation, we would like to welcome Kamsack Dental to the community,” said Reg Brewer, chair of the Foundation. “We look forward to having a long working relationship.”
Chief George Cote of Cote First Nation welcomed Kamsack Dental to the community on behalf of Cote First Nation. “Congratulations for bringing a service needed in our area,” he said.
“This new clinic is a nice facility and a great addition to our community,” said Jason Pennell, a town councillor and council’s representative on the Foundation, as he congratulated the new dental clinic staff.
Staff members provided tours of the “family-oriented” clinic which includes “well-designed dental treatment rooms” and features a play area for children to keep them entertained.
Kamsack Dental is the culmination of optimism on the part of the Assiniboine Valley Health and Wellness Foundation, an organizational committee that was formed back in 2009, which laid out a “blueprint of what to do.”
Hard work, planning and fundraising resulted in the opening of the Assiniboine Valley Medical Center in 2015 and Rod Gardner, Kamsack’s mayor at that time, expressed optimism that a dentist and optometrist would soon join the staff of the Center in the additional space reserved in the building, according to information found in a past issue of the Kamsack Times.
Ron Zarchikoff and his son, Jeff Zarchikoff, were at the grand opening to congratulate the newest tenants in the building.
Zarchikoff Construction was the primary contractor when the original Center was built, and was the general contractor for the new dental clinic.
The team at the clinic include Mah, Dr. Bardia Ghassemi and Dr. Terry Mah, all general dentists.
Ghassemi is of Alberta, but was raised in Vancouver. As a dentist he has worked in Peace River and Grande Prairie, Alta., saying, “Mike brought me into this clinic because I’m familiar with small-town life. My first time in Kamsack has been this week, and everyone has been so friendly and supportive.
“I enjoy the feel of a small town as opposed to larger cities. The pace is a bit slower, and even though my job is to serve people who sometimes have painful dental issues, everyone is so pleasant. That helps make my work a rewarding experience.”
Mah explained that the staff at the new clinic are able to direct-bill insurance for services, and are planning to offer orthodontic services provided by general dentists in the future.
“We are happy to bring a family and community oriented dental practice to Kamsack,” he said.
