Our Kanata Dentists at Centrum Dental Centre

Dr. Yamen Ghamian, Dentist

After 20 years of being a dentist, I still love what I do. I wake up every day in gratitude. In fact, that's how we start every day at work- by sharing what we are grateful for.

I've wanted to be a dentist since I was 13 years old and got my braces- the movement of teeth fascinated me. I grew up in Montreal and graduated top of my class from McGill Universtiy with a Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree in 2002. I then did a one year residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top three dental schools in the United States. There I attained an Advanced Education in General Dentistry certificate. This education gave me advanced knowledge of cosmetic and periodontal dentistry. It also gave me a solid hold of behaviour modification, a skill essential in paediatric dentistry. Being married to Hadia, with three of our own little children has also given me some insights on how to best treat precious little smiles :)

I joined Centrum Dental in 2004, and have been blessed to be of service to many Ottawa residents over the years. I enjoy spending time with my patients, and getting to know them. My goal is to provide top notch dental care in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere where my patients feel listened to, cared for and welcome. I look forward to meeting you and your family and helping you achieve your oral health goals. - Dr. Yamen Ghamian

Dr. Habib Khoury, Dentist

After graduating with his dental degree from McGill University, Dr. Khoury practiced dentistry for 18 months in Sioux Lookout followed by 3 months in Nunavut before finally settling into Centrum Dental Centre as co-owner in 2005.

Dr. Khoury, your Kanata dentist, takes great pride in his ability to connect with patients on a personal level and is quite passionate about creating smiles that will last a lifetime. He enjoys treating families and generations within families; has a deep seated sense of community and feels truly blessed to be able to give back to those in need.

Dr. Khoury believes in conservative and preventative dentistry and is a strong advocate for his patient's participation when planning treatment options.

Dr. Khoury and his wife Rula are proud parents of a beautiful little girl and a sweet little boy. They love to have fun and eat out as a family. They keep busy with various committees, community events and organizations. In his spare time he enjoys cooking, music, entertaining and travelling with his family.

"My greatest reward is watching the positive impact from helping people get rid of their pain, overcoming their fears or simply just giving them a smile that will make them more confident by altering their perception of themselves". - Dr. Habib Khoury

Dr. Muna Osman, Dentist

Dr. Muna Osman is a General Dentist who graduated in 2014 with a DMD degree from the University of the East in Manila, the Philippines. She then joined the DDS Advanced Placement Program at the University of Alberta in Edmonton and obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (DDS) in June 2022. Dr. Osman was the recipient of the Arthur D. Cumming Medal for outstanding merit in dentistry for children, the University of Alberta Leadership Award and many other awards in restorative dentistry and clinical excellence.

Obtaining the same dental degree from two countries, enriched Dr. Osman’s experience and made her realize patients’ needs vary across cultures. However, as healthcare providers are obligated to provide the best standard of care to their patients at all times, Dr. Osman strongly believes in educating patients in order for them to make an informed decision on their oral health.

Dr. Osman enjoys practicing all aspects of general dentistry, with a special interest in dentistry for children and the elderly.

Dr. Osman strongly believes in giving back to the community. While attending dental school in Edmonton, she volunteered countless hours at Shine dentistry, a student-run organization that provides free emergency dental treatment to undeserved communities. She also participated in many dental missions and free dentistry events.

Away from dentistry, Dr. Osman enjoys yoga moves and poses with her 6-years old daughter, gardening and spending quality time with family and friends.

Dr. Tamara Erak

Dr. Tamara Erak was born in former Yugoslavia and immigrated to Ottawa at the age of three. After receiving her bachelor's degree at Carleton University, majoring in Integrated Science with a concentration in Health Sciences and a minor in Biology, she went on to further develop her research skills and took her studies to Ryerson University in Toronto where she started her masters in Molecular Science; specifically in the field of Glycobiology. Her work landed her a publication in the prestigious journal PLOS (adding to her resume of published work which included work in the Canadian Journal of Microbiology). In 2020 she graduated from Midwestern University in Phoenix, Arizona where she held multiple executive positions including: Prosthodontic Study Club President , Dental Anesthesia Membership Director, and Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) Clinical Representative at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine.

Dr.Erak has been trained and practiced in different areas of dentistry including restorative, endodontics, periodontists, laser dentistry, Invisalign, CAD/CAM, and oral surgery. She applies her comprehensive dental experience to her patients of all ages and constantly improves her clinical skills via continuing education courses. In her spare time, Dr.Erak enjoys working out, cooking, and watching re-runs of ER. Dr.Erak is a proud member of the Ottawa Dental Society, Ontario Dental Association, Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, as well as the Canadian Dental Association.

Susan, Registered Dental Hygienist-Team Lead

Susan worked as a dental assistant in the Ottawa area for four years before returning to Algonquin College to attain her Certificate in Dental Hygiene. Susy joined our team as a dental hygienist in 1999. Susy has watched, participated in and experienced many of the positive changes that have contributed to Centrum Dental Centre’s growth and success. Working at Centrum Dental Centre has allowed Susy to juggle the balancing act for a successful family and professional life. In the precious spare time away from work and nurturing her daughter, Susy enjoys attending concerts.

Carla, Registered Dental Hygienist

Carla graduated from dental hygiene in 2000 from Cambrian College. In October of 2000 she started working at the Centrum Dental Centre. Carla is married to a great cook and has two beautiful daughters. Carla's favorite sport is hockey. She loves to read anything by Stephen King, Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell.

Bev, Registered Restorative Dental Hygienist

Bev began her dental career in 2004 when she graduated as a Level 2 dental assistant from George Brown College, in Toronto. After working as a dental assistant / administrator for numerous years, she returned to school, graduating with honours from the Dental Hygiene program at Algonquin College in 2009. During the 8 years that Bev has been practicing as a Registered Dental Hygienist, she has maintained her passion for providing exceptional oral health care through various continuing education courses, including obtaining her Restorative Dental Hygiene credentials in 2012. Bev is truly grateful for the warm welcome she received from teammates and patients when joining Centrum's dental "family". When she is not at work, Bev enjoys spending time with her daughter, hitting the gym, laughing and loving life.

Allison, Registered Dental Hygienist

Allison joined Centrum Dental Centre in 2016. She obtained both her Level II Dental Assisting Certificate and Advanced Dental Hygiene Diploma from Algonquin College. She has 4 years of Dental Assisting and Administration experience prior to beginning her career in Dental Hygiene. Allison is thrilled to be a part of the amazing team at Centrum Dental Centre in Kanata and she is looking forward to building new relationships. Outside of work you can find Allison going on bicycle rides, hiking, and being in nature with her husband Patrick.

Meghan, Registered Dental Hygienist

Meghan joined the Centrum Dental team in April 2018. She obtained both her Level II Dental Assisting Certificate and Advanced Dental Hygiene Diploma from Algonquin College. She is looking forward to building new relationships here and advancing her skills and knowledge. In her spare time, you can find Meghan at the gym, checking out cafes across the city or spending time at home with her husband Taylor and 2 cats Riley and Zoe.

Kim, Registered Dental Hygienist

Kim graduated with honours from the Dental Hygiene program at Algonquin College in 2005. She joined Centrum Dental Centre that same year and continues to enjoy the relationships she builds with her team mates as well as her patients. When not at work, Kim enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with family.

Julie, Registered Dental Hygienist

Julie joined Centrum Dental after graduating from CNIH with Honours in Dental Hygiene and receiving the Ottawa Dental Society top student award. She is also a retired Red Seal chef after choosing to pursue a career in health care. After living all over Canada Julie is happy to call Ottawa home with her husband and three daughters. Julie’s main passion is working with children to help foster a lifetime of good oral health.

Lisa, Administrative Team Lead

Lisa joined the Centrum Dental Centre team in early 2007. With 20 years of customer service experience she finds she still enjoys being part of the administrative team, because everyone knows that they secretly run everything!! When she isn't running around the office, she can be found enjoying time with her family, endlessly renovating her house, or reading.

Angie, Administration Assistant

Angie joined our team in the fall of 2015 to fill in for a maternity leave and she decided to stay! She graduated from Algonquin College as a Level 2 Dental Assistant in 2008. Angie started her career in dentistry assisting on clinic side but eventually found herself enjoying the administrative side more. In her spare time she can be found running around after her three young children, three bulldogs and watching home renovation shows.

Molly, Administration Assistant

Molly joined the Centrum Dental team in February 2023 as part of the administrative team. While you may not see much of her around the office, Molly works hard behind the scenes to keep us organized and running smoothly. In her spare time, Molly enjoys cuddling with her cat, Toothless (like the dragon, not because he doesn’t have teeth!), spending time with her family and friends, and playing Minecraft.

Kayleigh, Administration Assistant

Kayleigh recently joined our team in March 2023. She started out as a co-op student prior to the pandemic and was such a good fit, we chased her until we caught her! We are excited to have her on our Administrative Team. When Kayleigh is not at work, she can be found listening to country music, spending time with her family and friends, and playing with her 2 adorable dogs.

Ahmed, Clinical & Administrative Assistant

Ahmed joined the Centrum Dental in 2021 team as a co-op student and was later hired as a clinical and administrative assistant. He quickly found his passion for helping others and decided that he wanted to become a dentist in the future.

Ahmed's time at Centrum Dental has solidified his desire to pursue a career in dentistry. He plans to attend university after high school to pursue his dream of becoming a dentist. Ahmed believes that his experience as a clinical and administrative assistant has given him a unique perspective on patient care and will serve him well in his future career.

Outside of work, Ahmed enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing sports, and volunteering in his community.

Rima, Clinic Assistant

Rima joined the team in the spring of 2022 after graduating university. While completing her degree, she shadowed the dental profession and worked front desk at an orthodontics office. Through those experiences, Rima developed a love for the impact of dentistry on patients’ quality of life. As a clinic assistant, Rima can be found assisting Dr. Erak and helping around the clinic where necessary. She is grateful to be playing a role in helping patients achieve their oral health goals. In her spare time, Rima enjoys going to the gym, trying out new outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.

Susan O, Clinic Assistant

Susan is an internationally trained Dentist from Nigeria and has been in the dental field for over 6 years. She recently moved to Ottawa and joined the Centrum Dental team in March 2023 as a Clinic/Sterilization Assistant. Susan loves all aspects of a dental office (as her constant smile and bursts of laughter will attest to) and believes that "Excellence" should always be the watchword.

When not in the office, Susan enjoys spending time with family.

Hailey, Registered Dental Assistant

Hailey has had a passion for dentistry since she entered the field in 2015 as a Certified Dental Assistant. Four years later, Hailey returned to school to further her education and graduated with honors from Algonquin College as a Registered Dental Hygienist.

In her spare time, Hailey enjoys going to the gym, cooking, spending time outside with friends, family, her 4 nieces and her dog and cat.

Osakpolor, Certified Dental Assistant

Osakpolor has been a Certified Dental Assistant since 2022, and became a proud member of Centrum Dental family in early 2023.

Osakpolor believes a beautiful smile can make someone’s day and strives to make patients feels comfortable and at ease. She loves any outdoor activities that is done in water like swimming pools, water parks, and going to beaches. Osakpolor also has an insatiable love for fireplaces and good music.

Mari, Certified Dental Assistant

Mari graduated from the Dental Assistant Level 2 program at Algonquin College and joined the centrum team in February 2022.

Being a dental assistant has given her the opportunity to learn something new every day in order to give the patient the best care and experience she possibly can! Mari’s top priority is patient comfort through all procedures. Her favourite thing about being a dental assistant is being a part of giving someone back their smile.

In her free time Mari enjoys being with family and friends. She loves travelling, shopping, and spending a lot of time outdoors.

Sara, Certified Dental Assistant

Sara obtained her Level II Dental Assisting Certificate at Algonquin College in 2010. Shortly thereafter, she joined the Centrum Dental team where she assisted Dr. Ghamian for 3 years.

Following some time living overseas in London, and completing her Yoga Teacher Training in Bali, Sara moved back to Ottawa and joined the team at Centrum Dental once again – this time as our Dental Treatment Coordinator. Sara combines her knowledge of dentistry and passion for helping others when assisting patients in understanding their treatment plans and coordinating their care. She strives to create and maintain a warm and welcoming environment where our patients feel valued and respected.

Outside of work, Sara enjoys dining out with her partner Ryan, spending time outdoors with her family, travelling to new places, and of course, practicing yoga. She is a proud mum to a baby girl, and step mum to two awesome kiddos who keep life fun filled and busy.

Kristy, Certified Dental Assistant-Team Lead

Kristy joined the Centrum Dental Centre team in 2004 after graduating from the Dental Assistant Level 2 program at Algonquin College. She is a member of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association. In addition to being Dr. Khoury’s “right hand woman”, she can also be found occasionally helping out at the front desk. When she has spare time you can find her running marathons with her husband or running after her two kids Noah and Lexi.

Amani, Certified Dental Assistant

Amani started her journey with Centrum Dental Centre during her work placement when studying to become an advanced dental assistant in CNIH School. Her energy and enthusiasm were infectious and after she graduated in 2015, she joined our Centrum Dental family. Amani came from Lebanon 4 years ago to join her hubby Bilal. She likes to spend her time outside during the summer taking care of her garden. Amani loves biking in her neighborhood and taking in the scenic views of Kanata. She loves food and likes to make authentic Lebanese food to share with her teammates.

Emily, Certified Dental Assistant

Emily graduated from Level II Dental Assisting program at Algonquin College 6 years ago. She was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with a Periodontist for 3 years before joining the Centrum Dental team in the summer of 2018. Emily loves to smile and is always up for a good laugh. She continues to love learning in the dental field and looks forward to passing her knowledge and experiences onto our patients. When she is not working, Emily likes to hit the gym or relax with a good book.

Jocelyne, Registered Dental Assistant

Jocelyne graduated from Algonquin College is 2019. She began her career as periodontal hygienist before later joining our team at Centrum. Jocelyne also has obtained her myofunctional therapy license, laser certification and a variety of other continuing education courses to farther provide better care to her patients.

She prides herself on providing a non-judgemental space to help eliminate dental phobias/anxieties to help create a long term realistic dental hygiene plan with her patients.

When not at work, Jocelyne is likely at the gym, with family or at home taking care of her two rescued bunnies.