In Focus | Courtney Pollard of Brightside Dental

In Focus is our gift to the community. A way for us to help show our recognition for the people, businesses and organizations that help make our city great. The team at KelownaNow.com is passionate about this community and the people that make it amazing. We want to show our friends, neighbours, family and colleagues that we notice them and the fabulous things that they do.

What is your name?
Courtney Pollard

What do you always find yourself saying?
"Where are my keys?" is the first thing that comes to mind but I also constantly tell myself "Focus on the positive, spend your life focusing on the good things instead of the negative. If there’s something bothering you address it and move on."

If you could spend one whole day with anyone in the world who is currently alive, who would you select?
My sixteen-month old daughter, Isla. I like to spend every second with her so she’s the obvious choice. She’s definitely the highlight of my life. It’s hard to believe how fast the time goes by and how much she is growing and changing each day

If you were to receive any existing public award, what award would you like to win?
Greater Westside Board of Trade Award for Best New Business

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would you choose?
Nelson Mandela. I aspire to have the love, patience, and positive outlook on life that he had.

Who inspires you?
My husband. He is so passionate about his career and orthodontic practice, but always makes sure that our family comes first. I couldn’t ask for a better mentor, friend, husband, and father to our daughter.

What are three things on your bucket list?
1) Train to become a yoga instructor. Yoga is all about maintaining balance in your life and appreciating where you are at. Even if I never fully use the training as a job, yoga has been such a big part of my life the past ten years and helped me in so many ways, I would love to learn as much about it as I can and pass this along to others.
2) Hike Machu Picchu
3) Run a full marathon. I have completed a few half marathons already so the full is up next!

Please tell us about a defining moment in your life
The day I graduated from Dentistry. It was a culmination of eight years of hard work, challenges, and perseverance.

If you had an enormous yacht, what would you name it?
"The Tooth Fairy"

If you could foresee a single day of your future in its entirety, what date would you select?
My daughter's 18th birthday. I think it would be neat to see her if her personality has changed from her temperament as a baby.

What are you passionate about?
My family and my career. I went to school for 8 years to become a dentist and it’s a career that is always evolving and changing. Every year I spend over 50 hours dedicated to continuing education, and evolving into the best practitioner I can be. I love the technical aspect of dentistry but even more I love the relationships I build with my patients. I find helping people overcome the fear of going to the dentist one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. That’s another reason I really enjoy seeing children, I think if you can teach children that going to the dentist is a “fun” experience as opposed to a “scary” one you can really make a difference in a person’s long term oral health.

What has been your favourite day of your life, up to this point?
Wow. That’s a really tough question since I have been so fortunate to have so many amazing ones so far. I’m going to cheat a bit and give 3 (in chronological order): graduating from Dentistry, my wedding day and the birth of my daughter Isla.

What has been your proudest accomplishment?
Six months ago I would have told you it was definitely graduating from Dental School. However, this milestone accomplishment was surpassed by the opening of my own practice, Brightside Dental, this summer. I practiced for a number of years as an associate, but I always wanted to be an owner one day. Along with my business partner, Dr. Jeremie Hallett, we designed and created the practice from the ground up and I feel so proud at what we have created. It is so rewarding to see the results of our hard work and to hear the positive response from the community.

Where is your favourite place to dine in Kelowna?
La Bussola. The interior is super cozy after the recent renovation, the food is always amazing, and the service is second to none. If I’m going to eat carbs, it’s going to be there!

What is your favourite activity or event in Kelowna?
There are so many great things to do in the Okanagan. Being originally from Winnipeg, I grew up without a chance to enjoy many of the outdoor activities available out here. I love spending time outside, whether it be hiking, snowboarding, or wakeboarding

What is the name of your business/organization?
Brightside Dental

What does your business/organization do?
We are a family dental office that aims to treat everyone in a relaxed comfortable setting. From toddlers to seniors, we offer exceptional general, cosmetic and emergency dentistry, with a caring and gentle touch.

Where can people find you or your business online?
brightsidesmiles.ca

Where can people find your business on Facebook?
Brightside Smiles

What is your mission?
To offer comprehensive dentistry to the entire community, including children, seniors and families. To be caring, compassionate, honest and work in each patient’s best interest. To offer a superior dental experience with advanced technology.

If you could achieve one thing within your field, what would it be?
To be known as an office that puts patients first and offers superior dental care while utilizing the latest technologies. We want to make sure that every patient that walks through our door has an exceptional experience, and knows that we genuinely care

Where do you want your business/organization to be in five years?
I want to be an office that the people of West Kelowna speak highly of, not only for the dental service we provide, but also because of our active involvement in the community.

Who do you consider to be a forerunner within your field?
My business partner, Dr. Jeremie Hallett. He started a practice in Kelowna 10 years ago and has built it into one of the busiest in the Okanagan. He has shown that hard work, dedication & commitment to exceptional dentistry is key to a successful practice

What three qualities do you feel that your business/organization exemplifies?
1) Honesty. We always keep open communication with patients and staff.
2) Reliability. Patients can count on an A+ experience every visit.
3) Compassion. We put our patients first and make our patients feel as comfortable as possible by taking the time to prepare them on their visit and address any concerns.

What would you like to say to your employees/volunteers?
You guys are awesome and we are so fortunate to have you on our team!

How does your business/organization impact the community?
We are health care providers and are active members of the community. We give back to the community that has supported us both by offering high quality dental care as well as hosting community events and complimentary services to those in need.

What makes you successful? Tell us about it.
That we genuinely care about our patients. We go out of our way to make sure that each dental experience exceeds expectations. This includes spending the time to fully explain what needs to be done to achieve their oral health goals, educating them on optimal oral health, providing comfortable and quality dental work, and basically making them feel at home. Sometimes it’s just the little things we do that make us successful, like offering coffee, blankets, and TVs with Netflix for all appointments. Flexibility with payment arrangements and direct billing to insurance have also been a very good practice builder for us.

If you were trapped in an elevator with several wealthy investors from any field, which field would you want them to be experts in? What would say to them/talk about?
My first thought was an elevator technician, but if they weren’t able to get us out, then the conversation could get a bit boring! I’ll go with one of my favorite fitness instructors. Might as well get a workout in if we are going to be a while!

If I could change one thing about Kelowna, it would be:
As a new business owner, I would love to see Kelowna really take off as far as the job market goes. For whatever reason, this seems to be one of the city’s greatest obstacles – having our residents stay here for their jobs, rather than them heading elsewhere for work. With that being said, it seems as though Kelowna is heading in the right direction with all of the new developments planned.

What do you think makes Kelowna great?
Aside from the beautiful lake, rolling mountains, endless vineyards and orchards, and great weather year round, I would have to go off-the-board somewhat and say it’s the Kelowna residents that truly make this a special place to live. Since moving 3 years ago, I have met so many good people in the Okanagan that welcomed us with open arms and instantly connected us with the community. I cannot imagine living anywhere else!

My choice for the Kelowna In Focus spotlight is:
Shauna Nyrose, Kelowna yoga instructor.

Some general comments I would like to share are:
“Everyday think as you wake up today I am fortunate to have woken up I am alive I have precious human life I am not going to waste it I am going to use all my energies to develop myself to expand my heart to others to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings I am going to have kind thoughts towards others I am not going to get angry or think badly about others I am going to benefit others as much as I can” –Dalai Lama

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