At Maple Ridge Dentistry for Kids we treat every child with the same attention and care as we would our own.

We help children understand the importance of dental health so they can maintain a beautiful smile for the rest of their lives. Whether they are 1 or 18 years old, we pride ourselves in making your child’s visit to our clinic an exciting, educational and enjoyable experience.

Our Dentists

Dr. Nancy Vertel

DDS, Certified Specialist – Restricted to Pediatric Dentistry UBC

As both a certified pediatric dentist and a mother, Dr. Nancy Vertel knows that any health problem affecting a child has the potential to impact the entire family. To protect the well-being of both child and family, she believes a more holistic approach to care is needed.

“After experiencing the specialized care my child received from his pediatrician, I realized that I wanted to bring that same level of specialized care to children sitting in the dentist’s chair.” – Dr. Nancy Vertel

After years of specialized training, Dr. Vertel has opened Maple Ridge Dentistry for Kids to offer children in Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge the specialized dental care they need in a comforting, child-centric environment close to home.

Having been raised in Colombia, Dr. Vertel is fluent in both Spanish and English. When not at the office, she likes to spend time with her family. Her favourite activities are hiking, yoga and volunteering with the Special Olympics.

Educational Background

Dr. Vertel is a certified specialist in Pediatric Dentistry. She holds a Doctor of Dental Surgery and a Master of Science in Craniofacial Science degree from the University of British Columbia. She also instructs part-time at the university’s Faculty of Dentistry and is on staff at BC Children’s Hospital. Dr. Vertel serves as a mentor for the Golden Ears Dental Alliance (GEDA) of Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge and for the Delta Multidisciplinary Dental Study Club (DMDSC) which she founded.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Vertel has hospital privileges at both private and public hospital facilities and is a member in good standing with the following professional organizations:

Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada
Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
College of Dental Surgeons of BC
American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Travis Gibson

Certified Specialist in Orthodontics

Dr. Travis Gibson was born and raised in North Vancouver. He attended the University of British Columbia for both his bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Chemistry, and his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degrees. After graduating, Dr. Travis practiced as a general dentist in northern BC, before once again returning to UBC to obtain his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Craniofacial Science and Diploma in Orthodontics. After completing his orthodontic education, Dr Travis spent a year in the Craniofacial Orthodontic Fellowship at New York University, where he gained extensive experience in treating complex orthodontic problems such as cleft lip and palate. Dr Travis remains involved in research to help improve children’s cleft and craniofacial care at both New York University and BC Children’s Hospital. In the office, Dr Travis believes in the importance of an honest and open partnership between patient, family, and doctor. He works hard to ensure each person understands their unique treatment needs and options, so that they can make an informed decision on what is best for them. Dr Travis loves orthodontics, and is always happy to share his passion for his work with others! In his free time, Dr Travis likes to spend time with his wife and their identical twin boys. Dr Travis also enjoys outdoor activities such as running, hiking, and camping.

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Dr. Kourosh Khodarahmi

DDS

Dr.Kourosh and his family moved from Iran at a very young age and grew up in Kelowna. He moved to Vancouver to complete a Bachelor’s Degree at UBC focusing on advanced organic chemistry and a Master’s Degree in Neuroscience. After completing his original research, He started a career in dentistry. Having experienced childhood decay himself, he found treating children with respect and understanding goes a long way to help guide them through what may be one of the most difficult right of passages for any person – going to the dentist. He believes that children can be more reasonable than adults if they are approached in the right way. This is why he was chosen to work with Vancouver Coastal Public Health Children’s Dental Program right out of school. As the Supervising Dentist for the program and as the Clinical Assistant Professor at UBC, he continues to help public policy around children’s oral health.

Dr. Kourosh has three children and he loves spending time with his family. He is always up for a game of squash, conversations about new recipe ideas, and to compare notes on the longest walk you’ve ever had. He looks forward to getting to know the families of Maple Ridge Dentistry for Kids and how he can serve their needs.

Dr. Justin Shyu

DDS, Certified Specialist in Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Justin Shyu is a certified specialist in pediatric dentistry. Originally from California, he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at New York University. Afterwards, he completed a general practice residency at NYU Langone – Brooklyn, where he was awarded Co-Resident of the Year. His passion for treating and educating children and families led him to complete his pediatric specialty training at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx. Dr. Justin is also passionate about providing care for those who can’t regularly access it, which has led him on global outreach programs abroad.

A west coaster at heart, Dr. Justin is excited to be in BC and become a part of the community. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family. You’ll find him outside in nature, watching American football, reading comics, and listening to and playing music. Dr. Justin is also fluent in English and Mandarin Chinese.