Wellness Programs

Wellness Program Committee Members

• Dr. Dennis Fair (Chair - Camrose)

  I graduated from the University of Alberta with a BSc and DDS degree in 1982 and have provided sedation dentistry since 1984. After associating in Alberta for a few years, I purchased a practice in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and was there from 1986-1995.

  In Prince Albert, I was on staff at the Victoria Union Hospital and Holy Family Hospital and provided emergent care in the dental department as well as served as Chair of this department for several years.

  I moved to Edmonton, AB in 1995 to associate at a practice in west Edmonton and finally purchased a practice in Camrose, Alberta in 1998 where I still practice today, as well as serve on staff at St. Mary’s Hospital in the dental department there.

  After almost four decades in dentistry, I have learned that the clinical aspects, while important, do not define the people we actually are. We go through this life encountering many challenges physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually that sometimes require us to reach out and obtain help in the many different situations we find ourselves in. I am committed to this arm of the ADA&C, and it’s work with the Wellness Program that offers dentists, spouses, and families the help they need in difficult times. The rewards for us as members for participating in this committee go far past a good feeling. For some of us, it has been life altering.

• Dr. Mona Abdelrehim (Sylvan Lake)

  I graduated from the Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University (Egypt) in 2005, earned my Master’s degree in Operative Dentistry in 2010, and completed my PhD in Dental Biomaterials in 2017. In 2022, I completed the Dental Public Health Specialty Program at the University of Toronto.

  As a dental public health specialist, I strongly believe in the importance of prevention, a philosophy I carry into both oral health and overall wellness. I also firmly believe that mental health is health, and that promoting mental well-being is as essential as caring for physical health.

  Throughout my life, I have been a supportive listener for family, friends, and colleagues, someone they can turn to when they need help, guidance, or simply a compassionate ear. I strive to listen in a non-judgmental, respectful, and non-confrontational way, always recognizing that every individual is unique and deserves to be understood.

  I am passionate about helping others and committed to giving back to the community. My volunteering experience includes work with the Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, as well as serving as a peer reviewer for scientific journals.

  I am honoured to serve on the Wellness Committee at CDSA.

• Dr. Colette Boileau (Edmonton)

  

  I graduated at the University of Alberta in 1984, worked in Calgary for a couple years, then returned to Edmonton. I associated for a further 2 years then bought a practice in West Central Edmonton. Over the years I was an associate, had partners and associates, experiencing positions within a practice. I now own a smaller practice in South Edmonton where I am a solo practitioner enjoying all aspects of general dentistry.

  I joined the ‘Confidential Assistance Program’ in its inception more than 30 years ago; I have experienced many changes in the delivery of this very valuable, confidential program. I am proud that we have played a part in normalizing mental health issues and giving our membership a place to seek assistance, whether through Caniff and Associates direct access counselling, the MAP program from CDA, or our CDSA sponsored program. We encourage dentists to contact us to talk or to get direction about an appropriate source of assistance. Our focus is the wellness of our membership and the prevention of serious mental health conditions.

  I overcame my addiction to nicotine almost 35 years ago and in that process, along with courses and life experiences, learned a lot about addictions and mental health. I am committed to helping dentists in a confidential, non-judgmental way because I know being a dentist is not always easy.

• Dr. Muoi Leong (Calgary)

  I grew up in Calgary and got my Bachelor Of Science Degree in Microbiology at the University of Calgary. Looking to further my education I then continued to the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. I graduated from the Dentistry program and moved back to Calgary as fast as I could (to cheer on the Flames and Stampeders, of course). I’ve been practicing family dentistry in Calgary since 2002 and I also provide Botox and Invisalign. I’m constantly updating my skills and spend a great deal of time discussing dentistry on the various dental forums.

  A true believer in giving back to the community, I have volunteered in many organizations including being an executive board member of the Calgary District Dental Society, the CUPS Dental Clinic, my Community Association, and several local sporting clubs. I am also a strong and long-term supporter of STARS and the Calgary Humane Society.

  Aside from my 2 awesome children and husband, my greatest love is food – cooking and eating are my favorite pastimes. To balance this out I also enjoy hiking and working out on my stationary bike while watching Netflix.

  I believe in Dentists helping Dentists. I am a great listener and a strong supporter of our profession. I have been an associate, an owner, a locum, a mom, working part-time and full-time. I believe I have lots of experience in various aspects of personal and professional lives of dentists that I can relate and understand. I respect individuality and confidentiality. If a colleague needs someone to talk to, or if they just need someone to listen to them, I am here!

• Dr. Steve Patterson (University of Alberta)

  I’m a graduate of the School of Dentistry, University of Alberta and the School of Public Health, University of Washington. Additionally, I completed a certificate program in Addiction Studies at the UofA. I established a dental practice in Wetaskiwin where I practiced for a number of years following graduation. Currently, I’m a full-time Professor in the School of Dentistry, one of Alberta’s Associate Dental Public Health Officers in Alberta Health Services and a consultant dentist for Indigenous Services Canada.

  The focus of much of my research has been in addiction studies, specifically tobacco use reduction and cessation. I am the School of Dentistry instructor for topics such as professionalism, ethics, and addiction awareness and have worked collaboratively with others in the faculty, improving dental student well-being. I’ve been involved in dental practitioner wellness and have been a member of the ADA&C’s Confidential Assistance Program/Wellness Program Committee for over two decades. My wife Shirley and I live in Wetaskiwin, AB and are parents of six children and we currently have 14 grandchildren.

• Dr. Lindsay Patterson (Fort Saskatchewan)

  I grew up on a farm East of Ponoka, Alberta and then moved to Edmonton to attend University. I graduated from the University of Alberta DDS program in 2016. I have worked in several different practices as an associate in Edmonton and now practice in Fort Saskatchewan.

  I enjoy volunteering at my church, spending time with friends and family, being outside, and eating fried dough. As someone who has OCD and anxiety, I am very well acquainted with the fact that without the resources and support of others and even with them at times, things can feel overwhelming, or even impossible. I have been very blessed to receive help from friends, family, God/church, and healthcare professionals to support and remind me that there is hope and aid in this world that is riddled with difficult circumstances and situations. When people are experiencing stressful situations or at times, we find ourselves feeling overwhelmed for seemingly no reason, if I can offer a helping hand and share resources that would aid someone in seeing that there is support and they don’t have to go through it alone, I’d be more than happy. We all experience highs and lows in life and there is no shame in needing help, we all do.