Embracing all smiles in our community for more accessible, inclusive dental care.
Everyone deserves to smile confidently, and at Ladysmith Smiles in Ladysmith, BC, we believe in cultivating a dental clinic that caters to everyone. If you’re already a patient of ours, you’ll already know we adhere to a strict “All Smiles Welcome” policy, which aims to make every single individual who comes through our doors feel safe and comfortable so they can receive the 5-star dental care they deserve.
Inclusive dentistry encompasses and considers a number of various aspects of the patient experience. Our team believes in prioritizing accessibility, understanding, and consideration for all of our patients, regardless of their unique circumstances. There are many reasons why an individual may feel they cannot access quality dental care and our goal at Ladysmith Smiles is to help remove those barriers. Dental anxiety, disabilities and logistics are just some of the common barriers individuals face when seeking oral health care. Here’s how our team is actively working towards removing any barriers that may stop a person from receiving top-quality oral health care.
Physical Accessibility
Ladysmith Smiles, located at 225 High Street in Ladysmith, strives to be accessible to all those seeking dental care in the Ladysmith community. Our Ladysmith-based dental clinic resides along several local biking routes and is a short walk from the public transit bus stop. We are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm and have select Saturday availability for your convenience.
When you arrive at our Ladysmith dental clinic, you’ll be met with a convenient parking lot leading level into our first-story office. Our bright office is home to, what we believe, are the most beautiful views of the Ladysmith Harbour. After checking in with our friendly front desk admin, enjoy our spacious waiting room with comfortable seating, a designated kids’ play area and a gender-neutral bathroom.
Financial Accessibility
Beyond physical accessibility, we understand that financial barriers may be in the way of you and your family receiving the dental care they need. At Ladysmith Smiles, we offer direct billing to your insurance provider and accept a wide range of insurance plans. We understand that the terms of your coverage can be confusing and often difficult to navigate. Our team has years of expertise in this area and is happy to work with you to ensure you are receiving the proper coverage. Please note that while our team will do their best to help, we are not responsible for your insurance policy. There may be some limitations to your coverage. If you have questions on your specific coverage, please contact our team prior to your appointment.
Emotional Accessibility
Inclusive dentistry involves a deep understanding and respect for patients’ unique experiences. This understanding is the driving force behind our empathetic and compassionate approach to dentistry.
Dental Anxiety
If you experience dental anxiety, you are not alone. According to Stats Canada, 40 percent of Canadians report having a “strong fear of going to the dentist.” The team at Ladysmith Smiles is committed to helping ease your fears associated with dental care through education and patience. Oftentimes, fear comes from the unknown. We believe that by taking the time to listen and educate our patients about their procedure, we are able to greatly reduce the level of anxiety associated with their visit. Our team ensures that every patient feels seen, heard, and valued.
We take a trauma-informed approach to dentistry, sensitive to the fact that some patients might have had adverse experiences with dental care in the past. Our staff is trained to approach these situations with kindness and gentleness, prioritizing patient comfort and reassurance above all else. To learn more about exactly how the Ladysmith Smiles team can help you overcome your dental anxiety, click here.
Paediatric Dental Care
With many of Ladysmith Smiles’ team members being parents themselves, we have a unique understanding of the challenges and barriers you may be experiencing when it comes to getting your kids the dental care they need. Our youngest patients at Ladysmith Smiles require an extra level of understanding and patience—both of which our team has down to a fine art. We believe oral health care can be fun and strive to make your child’s visit a positive, educational experience. We create a calm, soothing environment, explain procedures in clear and simple language, and move at a pace that suits each child. Our operatories are designed with children in mind and each visit for your kiddos will end with a trip to our coveted treasure chest. We even have special, very official, ice cream prescriptions for when our youngest patients need a little extra encouragement during their visit—parents, please note that these prescriptions are binding!!
Senior Dental Care
We recognize that our elderly patients at Ladysmith Smiles have unique dental care needs. Aging can come with increased sensitivity, a higher risk of gum disease, or complications with dentures or implants. Our Ladysmith dental team is skilled and experienced in addressing these unique needs and ensuring our elderly patients receive gentle, effective treatment.
Furthermore, our commitment to creating a relaxed environment extends to providing extra support for those experiencing cognitive decline or conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. We take extra time to explain procedures and ensure that all questions are answered to make the dental experience comfortable for both the patient and their caregiver. For more information on how you can support the elderly patient in your life with treatment at Ladysmith Smiles, please get in touch with our team.
Prioritizing Safety For All
In order to maintain a patient-doctor relationship that is based on mutual respect and trust, Ladysmith Smiles dental practice adheres to a Zero Tolerance policy. The safety of our team and our patients takes top priority and we will always put cultivating a healthy, welcoming environment first. Verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, aggression, racial or sexual abuse, discrimination or physical assault will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
At Ladysmith Smiles, everyone has the right to feel safe and comfortable. Though a last resort, the removal of patients from our list may occur if it’s in the patient’s best interest and the best interest of our other patients and team.
At Ladysmith Smiles, we have a strict “All Smiles Welcome” policy, which means that each and every person who walks through our doors receives the same exceptional dental care and is treated with the same kindness. We encourage people to come as they are and strive to make them feel safe and welcome doing so. We not only welcome, but celebrate, the LGBTQIA+ community and all the diverse cultural backgrounds of our community.
As an immigrant and a visible minority herself, Ladysmith Smiles’ founder Dr. Nadia Stymiest, is committed to inclusion 365 days a year. As a team, we work to continue to learn and improve Ladysmith Smiles’ allyship. We appreciate all of our patients who trust us and choose a seat in our practice.
All Smiles Welcome in Ladysmith Dental Practice
At Ladysmith Smiles, we believe that dentistry is for everyone, and we’ve made it our mission to make our practice as accessible, understanding, and inclusive as possible. We pride ourselves on providing a safe and welcoming environment where all patients are treated with dignity and respect, and their unique needs are met with kindness and professionalism. All Smiles Welcome is more than just a slogan—it’s a practice that we live and breathe every day at Ladysmith Smiles. The dental care you receive at Ladysmith Smiles is adaptable, responsive, and sensitive to you and your family’s needs. When you visit Ladysmith Smiles, you can rest assured knowing that your smile is in the hands of a team that truly cares for you. Click here to book your next visit or become a new, welcomed patient.