Seaside Smile Clinic, About Us

Seaside Smile Clinic was founded in 2023 in the heart of Nanaimo, but with an established history of clinical excellence across the Central Island,  Dr's Behkish and Phelps have been proudly serving the Island community for many years, with a commitment to patient centered and tailored treatment plans and care for the entire family. Locally owned and operated with pride and integrity, our team is dedicated to helping you achieve a healthy and beautiful smile.

We believe in preventive care and educating our patients on maintaining optimal oral health. Our aim for the clinic is to create a safe and welcoming environment built on respect, compassion, education and open communication for both patients and our staff. We ensure that you are well-informed about every aspect of your care, from diagnosis to treatment options and costs, which helps build trust and long lasting relationships, our team is always available to answer any questions and to provide detailed explanations. 

As parents, we also understand that positive experiences are key to fostering lifelong good oral health and hygiene in children. That’s why we offer a completely personalized service for every family member, regardless of age. Form your young child’s initial visit, all the way through their teens and young adulthood, be it a routine checkup, or more serious procedures, we provide treatments that ensure everyone leaves with a smile. Whether it's a regular cleaning or an emergency visit, our top priority is to make sure you and your loved ones enjoy your time with us, and look forward to coming back!

Our team of highly skilled and compassionate dentists are committed to providing you with the best possible care. We believe in building long-lasting relationships with our patients and treating them like family.

Dr. Betsabe Behkish

Having initially qualified as a Dentist in 2008 from a prestigious Dental Institute in Tehran, Dr. Behkish subsequently requalified as a Dentist in BC in 2016. With a love for nature and wildlife, Dr. Behkish moved to the Island in January 2017, successfully practicing in both Nanaimo and Qualicum Beach communities for the last 7 years. She continues to be a proud volunteer at VIU, helping to train the next generation of Dental professionals over the last few years. Her commitment to her patients is one of compassionate care, ensuring comfortable and stress free treatments. Outside of work, Dr. Behkish is a keen animal lover and supporter of her community, and lives locally with her husband, young daughter and cat, she is passionate about food, family time at the park or beach, and getting away to explore the beautiful Island.

Dr. Ken Phelps

Dr. Phelps grew up in a logging family, on Texada Island, around Harrison Lake, and Hope, BC. He studied Dentistry in California and graduated from Loma Linda University. He then returned to his native BC, and has lived and practiced in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith and surrounding areas for more than 40 years. He has a strong interest in complex restorative and cosmetic dentistry, and in both fixed and removable prosthetics. He also works closely with many local specialists in the provision of implant supported restorations. Dr Phelps has a very keen interest in photography, and spends his leisure time on an old wooden boat, as well as generally helping his wife Helen, with her flower and vegetable garden, and their three unruly, but utterly lovely rescue dogs. It must be said that Dr Phelps is not a fan of commercial pop music, and so he often creates playlists of varied and interesting music for the office. 

Our state-of-the-art facility is not only designed to put you at ease and make your visit comfortable, but also equipped with the latest technology to provide you with the best care possible. 

Our waiting area is designed to be a tranquil and inviting space. Comfortable seating, soothing lighting, and a calming color palette help create a stress-free environment from the moment you walk in. We also provide a selection of magazines, books, and complimentary Wi-Fi to help pass the time pleasantly.

As parents, we understand that visiting the dentist can be daunting for young patients, so we’ve created a dedicated children’s play area. This space is filled with toys, books, and games to keep kids engaged and comfortable while they wait. 

Our treatment rooms are designed with patient comfort in mind. We use ergonomic dental chairs that provide optimal support and comfort. Additionally, we offer blankets and pillows to help you relax during your procedure. Soft background music also helps to create a soothing atmosphere. 

Our practice is designed to be accessible to all patients, including those with mobility challenges. We have ample parking, wheelchair ramps, and spacious restrooms to ensure everyone can navigate our facility comfortably. 

Some examples of the technology at use in our practice:  

We use digital X-rays to obtain high-resolution images with minimal radiation exposure, making them a safer option for patients, especially for those requiring frequent imaging. The digital sensors used in these X-rays capture highly detailed images of your teeth, gums, and surrounding structures. This high resolution image allows for precise identification of dental issues such as cavities, bone loss, and infections. This images are available instantly, allowing your dentist to review the results, accurately diagnose any issues and discuss treatment options with you during your appointment or to create a treatment plan. The digital images are stored electronically, making it simple to maintain comprehensive dental records. They can also be easily shared with specialists or insurance providers if needed.

We also have a digital Panoramic X-ray, which provides a broad view of your entire mouth in a single image, encompassing the teeth, jaws, and surrounding structures. This captures the entire mouth in one image, including all teeth, the upper and lower jaws, sinuses, and temporomandibular joints (TMJ). This wide-angle view is invaluable for assessing overall oral health, and helps with the early diagnosis of complex dental issues such as impacted teeth, jaw abnormalities, cysts, tumors, and other pathologies that might not be visible with standard intraoral X-rays. They are also essential for orthodontic assessments and treatment planning. They provide a clear view of tooth alignment and jaw structure, aiding in the development of effective orthodontic treatments, including braces and aligners. For patients requiring oral surgery, such as tooth extractions or implant placements, panoramic X-rays offer critical information about the position and condition of the teeth and jawbone. This ensures precise and safe surgical interventions and proactive treatment.

Our Intraoral cameras allow us to capture detailed, high-resolution images of the inside of your mouth. Unlike traditional mirrors, these cameras can access hard-to-reach areas, providing a comprehensive view of your teeth and gums. This technology enables us to identify issues such as cavities, cracked teeth, gum disease, and other dental problems at an early stage, which is crucial for timely and effective treatment. The benefits of intraoral imaging extend beyond diagnostics. These images are displayed on a monitor in real-time, allowing you to see exactly what the dentist sees. This visual aid helps you better understand your oral health and the recommended treatments. Seeing a clear picture of the problem areas can make it easier to grasp the necessity of procedures, enhancing communication and trust between you and your dentist.  The high-quality images can be stored digitally, making it easy to track changes in your dental health over time. This technology also supports efficient and accurate record-keeping, which is essential for ongoing care and monitoring. 

The VELscope is a handheld device that uses natural tissue fluorescence to enhance the visualization of oral mucosal abnormalities that may not be visible to the naked eye. During an oral cancer screening, the VELscope emits a safe blue light into the mouth. This light causes the soft tissues to fluoresce, allowing healthy tissues to appear in a distinct, consistent pattern. Abnormal tissues, which might indicate the presence of early cancer or pre-cancerous changes, appear as irregular, dark areas against the bright fluorescence of healthy tissues. The advantages of using the VELscope for oral cancer screening are numerous:

1. Early Detection: The VELscope can detect changes in the oral tissues at an early stage, often before they become visible under normal lighting. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment and improved survival rates.
2. Non-Invasive and Painless: The screening process with the VELscope is quick, non-invasive, and completely painless.
3. Immediate Results: The VELscope provides immediate results, allowing us to identify and assess any suspicious areas during your regular dental visit. This means that if any abnormalities are found, we can act swiftly and refer you to a specialist if necessary.
4. Comprehensive Screening: The VELscope enhances our ability to conduct thorough and comprehensive oral cancer screenings as part of your routine dental exam. This technology helps ensure that no areas of concern are overlooked.
5. Patient Education: By using the VELscope, we can visually show patients the areas of concern, helping them understand the importance of follow-up care and the potential risks of ignoring early signs of oral cancer.

All of our treatment rooms are set up with the same equipment, and allow us to keep up with the demand for our services within the community, including seeing scheduled appointments, but also being able to handle Emergency appointments at short notice.