About
Welcome to Brightside Dental Care!
Here at Brightside, we take a real-people approach to dentistry. Our practices were built on personal relationships and the happy healthy smiles of satisfied patients. We want you to know, from the moment you walk through the door, that this is going to be a different kind of dental experience.
As patients ourselves, (complete with cavities, phobias and anxious children) we know that going to the dentist can sometimes be overwhelming. We’ve made it our priority to understand the concerns of real patients, so that we can make the entire experience as simple and enjoyable as possible. We focus on friendliness and creating an environment where you can feel comfortable asking questions and working with our dental team to make the decisions that are right for you and your family.
Help us change the way people think of dentistry. We’d love to get to know you and your family. Connect with us on Facebook, tour our website, or book an appointment today!
Brandon
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Dr. Scott Mather, Dentist
Scott has been a familiar face at Brightside since 2008. He started at our Portage office right after graduating from the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Dentistry before relocating, and calling Brandon home, in 2016.
Scott’s enthusiasm for teaching has made him an excellent mentor for onboarding new dentists. Scott has endless energy and when he doesn’t have a dental instrument in his hand, you can find Scott renovating or planning his next construction project. He also loves golfing, fishing and snowboarding. Most weekends, though, you can find him wakeboarding at Clear Lake.
Portage
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Dr. Ben Yakiwchuk, Dentist
Ben was born and raised in Winnipeg and graduated from the University of Manitoba. After 2 years of private practice and outreach in Winnipeg, he moved to Vancouver and opened a practice with his wife. Now a family with two kids, they have returned to Manitoba. Ben’s gentle disposition and attention to detail puts his patients at ease. When he is not helping his patients, he enjoys snowboarding, fishing, wakesurfing, and cooking. Most weekends you can find him at the lake enjoying time with his family.
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Dr. Gord Cogar, Dentist
Gord, Larry’s brother, shares the Cogar passion for dentistry. After graduating from the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Dentistry, he moved to Gladstone and quickly gained a reputation for his friendly chairside manner. When he’s not sitting in his dental chair, you can find him cheering on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Jets, along with all the other sports teams he follows. Gord is a gentleman farmer, who loves spending time with his family, and he may just be the only man left who still uses a pocket watch.
Stonewall
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Dr. Ashley Dykun, Dentist
Ashley grew up on a family farm in Western Manitoba which makes her a great fit for our Stonewall location.
She went to school at the University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry. After graduation she worked in private practice including care homes and long-term care facilities in Manitoba before moving to Vancouver where she worked with the BC Cancer Agency caring for patients after their treatment.
Ashley’s passion in dentistry is early intervention for airway and orthodontics and enjoys working with young kids. She has spent several years furthering her education in these areas with some of the world leaders in the field. In her spare time, you can find Ashley camping, snowboarding, in the water, or at the rink with her family. She also spends time mentoring dental students at the University of Manitoba.
Henderson Hwy, Winnipeg
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Dr. Harrison Katz, Dentist
Dr. Harrison Katz received his DMD degree from the University of Manitoba in 2021 and was awarded the Henry Schein Ash-Arcona Award, which is given to the student who demonstrates a high level of respect, care, and management of pediatric dentistry.
Dentistry has been a perfect marrying of his creative side with his interest in healthcare and working one-on-one with patients. He is a strong believer in creating a safe, experienced, and honest environment to discuss oral health.
Outside of work, Dr. Katz can be found playing video games, enjoying time in his backyard, and, when he can, travelling the globe. He loves learning about other cultures, meeting new people, and tasting cuisines from around the world!
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Dr. Lanny Jacob, Dentist
Dr. Lanny Jacob completed his DMD degree at the University of Manitoba in 1978. He is an active member of the Manitoba Dental Association, Canadian Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and is an alumni of the Pankey Institute of Advanced Dental Education.
Dr. Jacob has been married to his wife Marni since 1982 and together they have three accomplished children. And they can’t forget about Benny, their adorable blond Cocker Spaniel who is always so full of life. In his spare time, Dr. Jacob enjoys golfing, and loves to travel whenever he has the opportunity.
Dr. Jacob has dedicated his professional career to providing his patients with the best that dentistry has to offer. He is happy to be able to offer you advanced, state of the art, comfortable and, of course, personalized dental care.
Our Denturist
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Drew Trapp, Denturist
Drew, who now resides in Headingley, has been making dentures in south central and western Manitoba since 1981. Drew and his wife Jackie raised their family in Portage la Prairie, where he was involved with local hockey, and a member of the karate club for 25 years. He has a friendly disposition and is a great storyteller. When Drew is not in the office you can find him exploring the open road on his motorcycle.