Team Bios

Dr. Jane S. Wrinch

Dr. Jane S. Wrinch

Dr. Wrinch graduated in 1992, obtaining her DMD degree from the faculty of dentistry at the University of British Columbia. After working a short time in northern British Columbia, she was selected to complete a multi-disciplinary hospital residency at the Montreal General Hospital through McGill University. This residency provided her with advanced training in all the specialties of dentistry including oral surgery, anesthesia, and treatment of medically compromised patients. Dr. Wrinch then moved to Ottawa, working first as an associate dentist while holding staff positions at the Ottawa Civic and Queensway Carleton Hospitals. While there, she chaired the startup of a hospital based geriatric specialty clinic and owned her own practice.

Dr. Wrinch is a member of the Victoria and District Dental Society, the BC Dental Association, the College of Dental Surgeons of BC, the Saanich RV Tucker Gold Study Club, the American Association of Gold Ferriers, the Canadian Association of Restorative Dentists and Prosthodontists, and the Canadian Dental Association. Dr. Wrinch has also held membership in the Advanced Orthodontics Study Club at UBC (six years). She was on staff at the Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, and is a fourth year dental student mentor for the Faculty of Dentistry at UBC. In January 2000, Dr. Wrinch opened her private practice in the Royal Oak Shopping Centre. She enjoys the challenge of providing quality  family dentistry in a comfortable and friendly environment. Currently, Dr. Wrinch is completing a Masters of Science degree in Orofacial Pain, through the University of Southern California. This dental specialty includes the diagnosis and management of temporomandibular dysfunction, trigeminal neuralgia, trigeminal neuropathy, obstructive sleep apnea and burning mouth syndrome, among other conditions. For the 2024-25 term, Dr. Wrinch is President of the Academy of RV Tucker Study Clubs, an international organization that promotes and teaches the use of cast and direct gold restorations in dentistry.

Dr. Wrinch is an avid gardener and potter (ceramics). She and her husband James have raised six children, now all grown. Together, they enjoy travelling, cooking, hiking, small scale farming, and numerous other outdoor activities. Team

Avy

Avy (Chairside Dental Assistant)

Born in the Philippines, Avy moved with her family to Victoria when she was only 13 years old. Wanting to work in the dental field, Avy left her position as a community home care support worker to start fresh. Now, she is a valuable member of our Dogwood team, working as a chairside dental assistant, while working online through Vancouver Community College to complete her certified dental assistant training. We are grateful for Avy’s gentle and kind manner. Her smiles and calm demeanor have endeared her to us all. Avy and her husband Bek enjoy exploring Vancouver Island together.

Ara

Ara (Chairside Assistant/Sterilization Technician/Reception Relief)

Ara graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2013, the same year she started her first job as a bank manager. In 2016, she transitioned to her dream role as a flight attendant with Saudi Arabian Airlines, where she worked for seven incredible years, based out of Riyadh. In 2024, Ara moved to Victoria to further her education by studying for a Diploma in Business Administration at the University of Victoria. She has a passion for cooking and loves to sing karaoke in her free time. Recently, Ara has embarked on an exciting new journey in the dentistry world, and while it’s a fresh start, she’s energized by the challenges and love diving into something so different. While completing her diploma at the University of Victoria and working part time as a chairside dental assistant and sterilization technician, she is making the most of living on Vancouver Island, with its stunning landscapes and vibrant community.

Camille

Camille (Dental Assistant)

Born in the Philippines, our small but mighty Camille moved to Canada with her family in 2009. After attending school for cooking and flight attendant training, she has found her way into the dental world — and the Dogwood team has benefited greatly from her decision to shift careers. She is currently working online through Vancouver Community College to obtain her certification in dental assisting. Camille’s fast energy, desire to learn and high level infection control skills are a bonus to our patients. Her hobbies include travelling and spending time with husband JC her four small children.

Janet

Janet (Registered Dental Hygienist)

Janet is a 1991 graduate of the Vancouver Community College dental hygiene program in Vancouver. With over 20 years of hygiene experience and some prior years of dental assisting, we are lucky to have such a gentle and qualified dental team member. Her attention to detail and enthusiasm to maintain high and current standards in the profession of periodontics are truly appreciated by her patients and dental team. Janet and her husband Gavin have two grown daughters, Celine and Katie. In June 2024, Janet retired with her husband and moved full time to Lake Cowichan. Janet  still works with our team on an infrequent basis.

Marianne

Marianne (Registered Dental Hygienist)

Marianne graduated from Cegep de l'Outaouais in Gatineau, Quebec in 2014, obtaining her dental hygiene diploma. Hailing from Saint-Lin-Laurentides in the Laurentians, north of Montreal, she started her dental hygienist career in Gatineau, working for a number of family dental practices, before moving to Victoria with her partner. Marianne's calm, gentle and easy-going manner has been welcomed by patients and our dental team. Both fans of snowboarding, hiking and trekking, camping and other outside activities, Marianne and her partner Neil are now showing their two young children Adam and Hayley how to enjoy Vancouver Island to its fullest.

Emily

Emily (Registered Dental Hygienist)

Emily graduated from the Camosun College Dental Hygiene program in 2020, and has been working with our team since that time. Upon graduation, Emily was recipient of the Community Dental Health award, provided by Elsevier Science Canada. Her gentle touch, and thorough record keeping has been most welcomed by our patients. Born and raised in Vietnam, Emily and her family moved to Victoria in 2013. Outside of the dental office, Emily loves to travel, hike, visit beaches, and cook. She enjoys meeting new people and attending the many social events and festivals typically offered in Victoria (like the rest of the world, she is looking very forward to the end of the covid pandemic). Initially, Emily came to us covering a maternity leave. She still works for us when she can spare a day here and there.

Areal

Areal (Dental Hygienist)

Areal, a native of Vancouver Island, works full time as a dental hygienist with our team. In December 2023, she graduated, with honours, from the dental hygiene diploma program at the Vancouver College of Dental Hygiene. Wanting to return to her home, she and her partner Luis are now back in Victoria. We love having Areal as part of our clinical group. Her enthusiasm and commitment to helping our patients achieve the best dental health makes her a strong member of the Dogwood Family Dentistry team. When Areal is not at work, she enjoys engaging in outdoor activities, reflecting her passion for health and wellness. With a commitment to providing exceptional patient care, Areal is excited to contribute her skills and knowledge as she continues to be a life-long learner within the dental community.

Juhee

Juhee

Juhee has come onto our team to assist while some of our team members are on maternity leave. In 2022, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from Eulji University, Seongnam-si, Gyunggio-do, South Korea. It was a trip to British Columbia that year to visit her sister, that gave Juhee the bug to move to our great province. Currently in the process of becoming licensed in Canada as a certified dental assistant, Juhee is keen to be a part of our team, to share ideas and integrate into the local dental community. We welcome her and appreciate her strong work ethic and calm reassuring manner with patients.

Natasha

Natasha (Dental Receptionist)

Natasha, a native of Victoria, has become a strong member of our front reception team. Her conscientiousness and strong teamwork skills have been welcomed with open arms. Coming from a varied background including community health care and funeral direction, Natasha has the skills to assist our patients with compassion and professionalism. When Natasha is not at work, she enjoys making jewelry and spending time outdoors. She is a dog lover extraordinaire. Natasha has travelled extensively but dreams of living in far off lands like Istanbul or Aveiro.

Denise

Denise (Dental Receptionist)

Denise graduated from the Camosun College Dental Assisting Program in 2010. She was born in Bergheim, Germany (near Cologne) and speaks German, but moved to Canada as a young child. Denise took some time off to have her children, and came to our office as an experienced dental receptionist. We value her wonderful communication skills with our patients and her practical approach to managing the administration for a full dental practice. During her time away from the office, Denise and her husband Andre find their hands full raising their young children Briana and Jack. Denise has recently become quite obsessed with tennis, and so you might find her on a court somewhere on the Saanich Peninsula.

Team