About Us

Ricki Weissbach DHP

The founder of Pacific Pearl Dental Hygiene Clinic, Ricki Weissbach, was born and raised in the Okanagan. She has been a registered dental hygienist since 2012 and was certified in Prince George and has completed a program through Thompson River University to become an independent hygiene clinic owner. She spent the first 7 years of her career working in private practice under several amazing dentists from Fort St. John before moving to our beautiful Island. During this time working in private practice, she noticed a need that was not being met. People want more affordable and easier access to dental hygiene therapy.

Ricki became an independent hygiene practitioner to set a new bar on what to expect from your dental hygienist, while making dental hygiene accessible to everyone.

Denise Vanderlee DHP

Now an independent dental hygienist, Denise brings dynamic care to her clients with a decade of experience. She is Vancouver Island born and raised in Port Alberni and a mom of two boys. Certified in Prince George, she has worked in private dentistry for valued dentists who specialize in procedures under IV sedation as well as prosthetics.

Denise has broadened her career by volunteering in Tanzania, learning about socioeconomic trends and dental presentations within the region. To promote the best possible client care, she completed the Thompson River University program to become a Dental Hygiene Practitioner. Her passion is to work one on one with clients to achieve optimal oral health outcomes.

Denise is thrilled to collaborate with Pacific Pearl to exceed hygiene expectations. “Its a pleasure to generate a warm and professional atmosphere for everyone we meet.”

Carmen Stauffer office manager

Carmen has been in the dental field since 1997 when she graduated as a Certified Dental Assistant. We are honored to have her as our amazing receptionist!
Carmen enjoys travelling, golfing, walking Diego (her puppy), and trying new recipes. She enjoys relaxing with family and friends.

Natalie Cuthbert  DHP

Born and raised right here in Ladysmith, Natalie became part of our Pacific Pearl team in 2022. Soon after, she joined forces with Ricki to expand Pacific Pearl to a second location in Nanaimo. Prior to being with us, Natalie completed a bachelor’s degree at the University of Saskatchewan followed by her hygiene diploma at the Vancouver College of Dental Hygiene. She returned to the prairies after her schooling where she worked in private practice for a number of years. She gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the dental industry. She is kind, light-handed and also left-handed! She is most passionate about reducing fear around dental cleanings and creating a comfortable environment for all her patients. She says that being at Pacific Pearl has always felt like “the right fit for providing optimal hygiene focused care.” In her spare time, Natalie enjoys golfing, the outdoors, farm life and hanging with her pal Cora the golden retriever.

Kabri Williams DHP

Kabri has been practicing dental hygiene since 2009. She was born and raised in Nanaimo and moved over to the mainland to complete her dental hygiene diploma from the University of the Fraser Valley and then decided to further her studies and obtained a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene from the University of British Columbia. In 2018 she and her family decided to move back to the island to continue to raise their children.

Over the years she has worked in dental offices, an orthodontic office, and has been a part of the Vancouver Island University Dental Hygiene program for almost 5 years now. She is excited about the next chapter in her career and working as an independent dental hygiene practitioner in such a warm and positive environment that Pacific Pearl provides.

When she is not working, her husband and her have a busy family life with three kids and all the fun activities that come with them. They are in gymnastics and hockey. The family also spend their time walking and exploring with their golden retriever and enjoying the beauty of Vancouver Island.

Melissa McKinny DHP

Melissa holds a diverse educational background and a genuine passion for making a positive impact in her field. After earning her first bachelor’s degree in Business and Geography, she relocated to Vancouver Island a decade ago, drawn by its natural beauty and vibrant community. Inspired to pursue a more hands-on and fulfilling career in healthcare, Melissa embarked on a journey into dental hygiene. She completed her Diploma of Dental Hygiene at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo, and later, a Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of British Columbia.

With years of experience in private practice and locum roles at numerous dental offices on the island, Melissa has developed a deep understanding of patient care and dental hygiene. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys hiking with her dog Leroy and gardening, embracing the natural beauty that Vancouver Island has to offer. Melissa is delighted to bring her expertise and commitment to exceptional patient care to Pacific Pearl Dental Hygiene Clinic.

Bryan Templeman RDH

Graduating from Vancouver Island’s RDH program in 2016 Bryan has worked in private practice in the Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Victoria and Vancouver. With over ten years of experience in hygiene and dental assisting, Bryan has experience in multiple dental settings. Bringing comprehensive care Bryan also strives to create a relaxed and calm environment for his patients during their visits. Bryan and his wife recently returned from living and working in Vancouver to start their lives in Ladysmith. Bryan and his wife frequent the many trails and overnight hikes around the Island with their border collie Mini as well as paddle boarding on a regular basis. Bryan looks forward to making your experience at Pacific Pearl Dental Hygiene Clinic a positive one.