Behind every successful sedation procedure and positive patient experience is a team of dedicated professionals who make it all possible. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, our clinical and administrative staff are carefully selected not just for their technical expertise, but for their compassion, patience, and ability to work with anxious patients. From your first phone call to your final follow-up, you'll experience the difference a truly caring team makes.
Dr. Koniouchine may be the face of our practice, but our entire team makes sedation dentistry work seamlessly. Each team member plays a critical role in creating the calm, safe, supportive environment that allows patients to receive care without fear.
What makes our team special isn't just clinical competence—though that's essential. It's the genuine care and understanding each person brings to their role. We don't just process patients through appointments; we build relationships, earn trust, and help people overcome years or even decades of dental avoidance.
This comprehensive training ensures every interaction you have—from scheduling your appointment to recovering from sedation—meets the highest standards of professionalism and compassion.
What truly distinguishes Dental Sedation Ottawa is our partnership with board-certified medical anesthesiologists who provide the deepest levels of sedation and general anesthesia. This medical-dental collaboration is rare in private practice dentistry and represents the gold standard for patient safety.
Dr. Talab is a board-certified anesthesiologist with exceptional credentials and extensive experience in dental anesthesia:
Expertise: Dr. Talab brings hospital operating room-level expertise to our dental practice. His specialized training in cardiac anesthesia and perioperative echocardiography makes him exceptionally qualified to manage medically complex patients requiring careful cardiovascular monitoring during sedation. He has performed thousands of anesthesia cases across surgical specialties and brings this extensive experience to dental anesthesia, ensuring the highest safety standards for our patients.
Dr. Mirghassemi is a board-certified anesthesiologist specializing in dental anesthesia with particular expertise in pediatric and special needs patients:
Expertise: Dr. Mirghassemi's focus on healthcare quality and patient safety, combined with his extensive pediatric experience, makes him an invaluable member of our team. He has a remarkable ability to keep children and anxious adults calm and comfortable, and his gentle approach helps parents feel confident their loved ones are in expert hands. His Master's degree in Healthcare Quality drives his commitment to continuous improvement in sedation protocols and patient outcomes.
Unlike dentists who administer moderate sedation while simultaneously performing procedures, our medical anesthesiologists focus solely on your sedation, monitoring, and safety. While Dr. Koniouchine concentrates entirely on your dental treatment, our anesthesiologists manage:
This division of responsibility represents the safest approach to deep sedation and general anesthesia—the same model used in hospitals worldwide.
Ready to take the next step? Our team is here for you.
Our hygienists are the cornerstone of preventive care and often the team members patients see most frequently. They bring technical excellence, gentle technique, and genuine care to every appointment.
Patients consistently mention our hygienists by name in reviews, highlighting their skill and compassionate approach:
"I just had a cleaning with Katrina, and she was super nice and gentle. She made sure I was comfortable the whole time and explained everything as she went along. She also took the time to teach me the proper way to brush and floss. The best part? After my appointment, I got to pick a prize from the treasure box!"
— Sheanna H.
"I've been here for nearly 9 years and my hygienist is excellent and very professional, always does an amazing job. She's very friendly and approachable. 5 star."
— Billy Medina
"I had the pleasure of being helped by a very sweet person named Tania. I have not had a cleaning in a while and although I was very embarrassed about that, she was very nice about it. She took her time and was very careful. When I called back and the time didn't work, she offered to stay after work to complete the cleaning. I am still in shock that she would offer such service!"
— Betty Dereje
Our hygienists understand that dental cleanings can trigger significant anxiety for some patients. They adapt their approach based on your comfort level, take breaks when needed, explain each step, and never judge patients who haven't had professional cleanings in years.
Questions about your options? We're here to help.
Our dental assistants are highly trained professionals who work chairside with Dr. Koniouchine during all procedures. Their efficiency, attention to detail, and patient communication skills are essential to successful treatment outcomes.
"Dr. Ashkar and assistant Sandra were so friendly and efficient with my service today. The receptionists were all also extremely friendly! Clinic is clean—would recommend!"
— Jasmin De Matos
"Dr. Alimova's assistant Susie provided the best care I have ever received. They were welcoming, gentle and there were zero surprises with cost and insurance."
— Brenda Smith
"The assistant Rosita made my root canal seem not scary at all. She made me feel at ease and the job seemed to have been executed very well. I got the sense that the team was very efficient and experienced."
— Anna Buznytska
Our assistants understand their critical role in patient comfort. They hold your hand during injections if needed, wipe away tears without judgment, explain what's happening when you're nervous, and celebrate with you when difficult procedures are completed successfully.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation today.
Our front office team often makes the first impression, and we ensure it's a positive one. These team members are trained specifically in speaking with anxious patients, handling complex insurance situations, and creating a welcoming, judgment-free environment from your first phone call.
Understanding Anxiety: Our team recognizes that calling a dental office can trigger significant anxiety for fearful patients. They speak calmly, never rush conversations, and take time to understand your concerns before jumping into scheduling details.
Insurance Expertise: Navigating dental insurance is confusing. Our administrative team has decades of combined experience processing claims, verifying benefits, and maximizing coverage. They translate insurance language into plain English and advocate for you with insurance companies.
Multilingual Support: With team members fluent in English, French, Ukrainian, Russian, and Arabic, we communicate effectively with Ottawa's diverse communities.
Problem-Solving: When insurance denies claims, schedules conflict, or unexpected situations arise, our administrative team finds solutions rather than just saying "sorry, we can't help."
"I want to give credit to the reception staff—they have always been lovely on the phone. A special shout out to Sharon for going above and beyond to look into my insurance coverage without even being asked."
— Betty Dereje
"Melanie was very pleasant and empathetic over the phone and booked me for an appointment. She went the extra mile and moved me up when there was space. That was a relief."
— HEAVY ZEB
"All staff were friendly and made sure I was comfortable. Vivian said 'Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Don't you do a thing' when I had an insurance issue. It was great to get such good service."
— Christina Smith
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you.
For patients requiring dentures, our practice works with skilled denturist Nathalie Hill, who creates beautiful, functional dentures that restore smiles and chewing ability.
Patient-Centered Approach: Nathalie understands that losing teeth and needing dentures is often emotionally difficult. She takes time to understand each patient's aesthetic goals, functional needs, and budget constraints, creating dentures that look natural and work well.
"Nathalie Hill is a wonderful denturist. She is professional, knowledgeable and she has such a lovely personality. She explained everything and was so patient. She gave me back my smile and I think she is awesome."
— Bev Ladouceur
"Nathalie the denturist who did my mom's teeth—in my mother's own words: 'I cannot believe such a young lady is so proficient at this job!' She is kind, professional and patient, always made sure my mother is comfortable. Thank you Nathalie!"
— C G
"Nathalie Hill—you are amazing, the work you do shows master-level superior skills. Truly grateful now I can smile with confidence. Thank you for accepting me as your client!"
— Margaret Mac Intyre
Ready to take the next step? Our team is here for you.
Our entire team participates in regular continuing education to stay current with:
We hold regular team meetings to:
Our team conducts regular emergency drills practicing:
This training ensures every team member knows their role in emergency situations and can respond immediately and effectively.
"From the receptionists to the hygienists, assistants and doctors—they're an incredible team! So polite and professional. I've always been nervous when going to the dentist but the staff explains the procedures thoroughly to make you more at ease."
— Natacha D
"All of the staff is incredibly warm and welcoming. They took the time needed to ensure we could do direct insurance billing and guided me through the process! Dr. Koniouchine himself is amazing. Overall, the clinic is gorgeous with comfortable waiting area. 10/10"
— Sonya Gankina
"The staff is very professional and honest. I was charged exactly what I was quoted which was the best price I found anywhere. The work was performed as outlined and no corners cut. I will be referring this clinic to everyone!"
— Dwayne Miles
"The staff were very professional and courteous. They helped me with all my paperwork and insurance questions. The service was great—they helped me with my emergency extraction with care."
— Robert Hartholt
Dentist Referrals Welcome: Referring dentists appreciate our excellent communication and seamless care transitions. Learn about our referral process
Our team welcomes patients from throughout Ottawa including Kanata, Nepean, Orléans, Stittsville, Manotick, and Greely, as well as Eastern Ontario communities (Rockland, Embrun, Russell, Winchester, Kemptville, Carleton Place, Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke, Cornwall, Hawkesbury) and West Quebec (Gatineau, Aylmer, Hull, Chelsea, Wakefield, Buckingham).
