We would like to introduce you to the Sahali Dental Team.
Everyone at Sahali Dental works hard and plays an important role in bringing the best care in oral health to our patients.
Deanna Choppen
Certified Dental Assistant
Deanna started her career in dentistry as a Certified Dental Assistant in 1981 graduating from Okanagan College in Kelowna. Her employment has mainly been in Kamloops with the exception of 2 years on Vancouver Island. She joined the staff of Sahali Dental working for Dr. Daryl Shinkewski in Sept 2003, hoping this employment will now take her to retirement.
As being Dr. Shinkewski's assistant, she enjoy all aspects of performing her duties to ensure our patients receive the utmost care. This involves staying abreast of all current changes through yearly continuing education seminars/courses.
Outside of work, she and her husband are avid golfers and plan most of their holidays doing what they love best, whether it's in beautiful BC or going south.
Kim Leberre
Certified Dental Assistant
Kim joined Sahali Dental in 1979 working with Dr. Ciastko and Dr. Patch, then left Kamloops in 1993 for her husband’s job. She moved back to Kamloops with her family in 2002 when she returned to Sahali Dental team working for both Dr. Neilson and Dr. Shinkewski. She has been one of Dr. Shinkewski's Certified Dental Assistants for over 15 years.
"I have enjoyed many years working as a CDA and most of them at Sahali Dental."
Kim and her husband have 3 grown children that have provided them with 7 grandchildren. They do a lot of camping and visiting the coast being that they are both from Powell River and have many family ties.
Veronika Toderian
Certified Dental Assistant
Veronika joined Sahali Dental July 4, 1994 working for Dr. Neilson as a Certified Dental Assistant.
"I have always wanted to work in dentistry. My first job in the field was being an "after school girl" back when I was in high school!"
Outside of work, you will find Veronika busy with her 2 boys. They are actively involved in Scouts which gets them out hiking and camping!
Lori Bustin
Registered Dental Hyngienist
Lori joined the Sahali Dental staff in January 2019. She studied hygiene at Vancouver Community College graduating in 2007. She began her career as a Registered Dental Hygienist working for four years in Prince George. From there she continued her career in Vanderhoof where she worked for two more years. Lori moved to Kamloops in 2013 working for Dr. C. Wilson until joining Dr. Shinkewski's staff in 2019.
Outside of work Lori likes to spend time with friends, family and fur babies. She loves to travel, bake and read. She especially likes music and movies.
Helen Neilson
Registered Dental Hygienist
Helen has worked part time for Dr. Neilson since 1998, which is the year they became husband and wife. She graduated from the College of New Caledonia in 1990, and since that time she has also worked part time for Drs. Hallett and Murphy in their office downtown.
Helen and Glenn have two active daughters who are now pursuing secondary and post secondary education.
Other than family and career, Helen enjoys fitness, travel, paddle boarding, and trying to keep up with her husband mountain biking and cross-country skiing.
Nadine Read
Registered Dental Hygienist
Nadine graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She started working at Sahali Dental in November of 1993 with Dr. Bob McGinn and became Dr. Neilson’s Dental Hygienist when he took over the practice.
“I love my job as a hygienist. I count my coworkers as family and after 25 years here I consider my clients to be friends. I look forward to seeing them and hearing about their lives, their families and their adventures.”
Nadine and her husband Shawn moved to Kamloops from The East Coast just four days after their wedding in the summer of 1993. They fell in love with Kamloops and have called it home for the past 25 years. They have 2 children, Emma born in 1997 and Nicholas born in 2003.
Outside of work, Nadine enjoys walking, running, hiking and Saturday morning coffee dates with Shawn.