Meet Our Team

Dr. Russell Kearl

B. Sc., D.D.S.

Dr. Kearl received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Alberta. He is very motivated to be working on learning the latest advancements in dentistry. Dr. Kearl excels in and enjoys the field of implants and doing difficult restorative work. He's great with kids and adults too. It is a rare day that you do not hear Dr. Kearl's sound effects while he is working on patients. He has a passion for all things fast and all things outdoors, His latest passions are Fat Biking and Pickle Ball. When he's not on a mountain bike, he can usually be found playing with his wife and 3 kids.

Dr. Luke Hawkins

B. Sc., D.M.D.

"My goal is to meet the needs of this community while promoting the best possible oral health"

Dr. Hawkins was raised in Victoria, BC and completed his dental training at the UBC Faculty of Dentistry. His relaxed style creates a welcoming atmosphere for patients of all ages and all paths of life. For Dr. Luke, it's a high priority to stand behind the quality of his work. In his free time you may see him snowboarding at the local mountains or hiking our network of Shuswap trails.

Dr. Cameron Keresztes

B. Sc., D.M.D.

Dr. Keresztes was born and raised in the Lower Mainland and completed his dental education at UBC. Outside of work Cameron loves to ski, hike, camp, and swim, so it comes as no surprise that he has loved Salmon Arm since his move. He loves meeting new patients and working with those who have been here long-term at Salmon Arm Dental!

Dr. Daniel Su

B. Sc., D.M.D.

Dr. Su grew up in Toronto, Ontario and eventually moved to Vancouver to complete his dental degree at UBC. Daniel’s friendly personality creates an enjoyable experience for all ages! Daniel enjoys spending his time outdoors throughout the year. In the summer, you can find Daniel with an overnight pack strapped to his back exploring the Shuswap region. On the flip side, Daniel spends his winters downhill skiing.

Robbie Jones

R.D.H

Robbie was born and raised in Salmon Arm. She graduated from the dental hygiene program in Prince George. She is gentle, caring, and we are constantly getting rave reviews for her. In her spare time she loves camping, fishing, cooking and spending time with her family, friends and pets. Robbie just welcomed her 1st baby to the family this year!

Ashley Gerrits

R.D.H

Ashley was born and raised in a cold city in northern Alberta, Edmonton. She graduated at the University of Alberta in 2013 and has loved her choice of becoming a dental hygienist ever since. Ashley enjoys helping her patients and making sure they achieve and maintain their oral health goals. Ashley is gentle and kind while you are in her care. She loves to travel and explore all the hiking BC has to offer. At the end of her days you can find her with a good glass of wine and giving puppy snuggles to her new furry best friend, Sawyer.

Jacqueline Bannister

R.D.H

Jackie was originally from the Maritimes but after graduating from the Dental Hygiene Program at Dalhousie University in Halifax in 1988, she moved to Vancouver. She eventually made Salmon Arm home, with her family. Her children, Alyson and Drew, grew up here and thoroughly immersed themselves into the community. Jackie spends her summers kayaking and hiking and her winters xcountry skiing and boxing. She looks forward to meeting new patients, and provide gentle and caring dental hygiene treatment!

Niki Niehaus

R.D.H

Niki was born here in the Okanagan valley. After completing her hygiene degree, she moved to Salmon Arm, where she bought her first home. Niki is passionate about dental care, and loves sharing her knowledge with her patients. She enjoys running and yoga, and recently participated in a 10K run.

Carla Dewald

R.D.H

Carla moved to Salmon Arm in 1998 from the Lower Mainland. She started her career in the dental field doing sterilization and graduated in 2008 as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Surprise! Carla is another lover of the outdoors! You will always find her out walking her dog during the evenings!

Lindsay Satrum

R.D.H

Lindsay was born and raised in Salmon Arm. She ventured off to the big city of Prince George to obtain her diploma in Dental Hygiene, but also managed to land the man of her dreams! The two love birds moved back to Lindsay’s old stomping grounds, and soon started their family of 4! Peyton & Lincoln are the light of Lindsay’s life! When Lindsay isn’t at her station, she spends her summers coaching baseball & downhill biking and hits up SilverStar’s ski trails in the winter!

Dawn Sommer

C.D.A.

Dawn graduated from College of New Caledonia Dental Assisting program in 2006. Dawn received the Henry Schein Ash Arcona professionalism award and is nationally certified with 14 years of dental experience. Dawn grew up in Salmon Arm and enjoys running and spending time with her family.

Lynn Forsyth

C.D.A.

Lynn was born in Salmon Arm and has worked in the dental industry longer than she can remember! She enjoys working with and meeting new patients, especially young children. Lynn Enjoys cross-country skiing, gardening, walking, hiking, and going to the beach. She plans on continuing to work as a Dental Assistant long enough to figure out what she wants to do when she grows up, which she keeps hinting will happen soon.

Jill Pakka-Ferguson

C.D.A.

Jill was born in Salmon Arm and has been in the dental industry for over 35 years. She enjoys ringette, slo-pitch, biking, hiking, boating, camping and spending time with family and friends.

Amy Lissa

C.D.A.

Amy grew up in Northern BC and spent her summers in Vernon. She graduated from Vancouver Island University and has been a C.D.A. for almost 2 years now. Before becoming a C.D.A., Amy spent 17 years as an esthetician. Now that Amy is a Shuswap local, she enjoys spending her time paddle boarding, skiing, camping, or doing yoga.

Amanda Gaughan

C.D.A.

Amanda grew up in Ontario and spent her summers in the Shuswap visiting her father. She graduated in Windsor, ON and has been a CDA for almost 6 years now. Now that Amanda is a Shuswap local, she enjoys spending her time working out, kayaking, camping, hiking & adventuring with her dog!

Josie Lentz

Chairside Assistant

Josie was born and raised in Salmon Arm where she has spent her time soaking up every ounce of adventure that our beautiful town has to offer! She enjoys camping and hiking and is currently in the process of teaching herself how to ride a bike! Josie can be found chairside, helping the dentists treat our awesome patients!

Emily Henry

Chairside Assistant

My story is being written!

Steph Jetty

Chairside Assistant/Reception

Steph was born and raised in Salmon Arm. She moved to Alberta and started dental reception 7 years ago. Steph is somewhat of an office chameleon! One minute she's at the front desk, blazer on, smile beaming, the next moment she's in scrubs, rocking her "fast shoes" and assisting one of our amazing dentists! When Steph isn't here being a Rockstar in the office you can find her hanging out with her loved ones. Steph is recently engaged and currently expecting her first baby!

Wendy Strom

Executive Assistant

Wendy grew up in Alberta and would often come to the Shuswap with friends for vacations, thinking that whoever lived here was so lucky. Well fast forward to 1995 and as luck would have it, her husband's job had them relocate to beautiful Salmon Arm. Wendy has over 14 years of experience in a dental office and truly enjoys each and every day at Salmon Arm Dental. She loves dirt biking and crossfit and spending time with her husband and four amazing kids (whenever they are home).

Chanel Sulphur

Office Manager

Chanel was raised in Salmon Arm and moved to Calgary after high school graduation. While attending post secondary she found her passion in health care and has not left the field since. In 2016 she moved back to the Shuswap as the summers simply couldn't compare. Chanel enjoys spending time on the lake and being outdoors with her husband and children! Chanel will be out of the office for a while... as her and her family welcomed their newest addition in July 2021!

Taryn Passey

Reception

Taryn grew up in Salmon Arm, She is an absolute joy and a wonderfully happy face to greet you as you come in our front door. She loves meeting new people and wishes she could grasp the intricacies of Pickle Ball. She has worked in a number of locations as a Medical Office Assistant but decided that dental was more her passion. If Taryn isn't here working hard at the office she's at home being a mom to her son Rhyatt.

Mandi Kalf

Reception

Mandi is another local girl, having grown up in the Shuswap. Mandi has been greeting our patients with her bright smile for over a year now! When she is not in the office you can find her spending time with her family, rock climbing, or enjoying the outdoors.

Chelsey Gulayets

Reception

Chelsey grew up in Vancouver and made the move to Salmon Arm with her beautiful daughter a few years ago. Chelsey enjoys playing soccer, going for hikes, watching live sporting events, and shopping! Her true passion in life is FOOD! Eating food, watching the Food Network, scrolling Pinterest for food inspiration, anything to do with food she is game for (minus cooking). When Chelsey isn't at the front desk you can find her pursuing her current goal of becoming an international foodie. Make sure you ask her how this is going the next time you are in the office!

Beth Tycholis

Reception

Beth grew up in Nova Scotia, but spent the last 8 years working and living in England. She moved back to Canada one year ago and is enjoying being closer to family. When Beth isn't in the office, she enjoys traveling, climbing and anything that is adventurous! She recently got married, is a proud auntie to 7 and a Godmother to 1!

Stephanie Myles

Reception

Some of you may recognize this face! After 4 short years, Stephanie has returned to the reception area! Steph grew up in Enderby and now lives in Grindrod with her husband and 2 boys. Steph, too, enjoys the outdoors! She has a love for camping and all things water! Steph's summers are spent swimming and paddle boarding the Shuswap River! Steph is happy to be back around familiar faces and looks forward to meeting our new patients!