ORAL HEALTH MONTH
APRIL 2025 • SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS
6
BY JANINE LEGAL B rock Vandor remembers passing tools to his dad as a kid during summer holidays, and making molds of his own mouth. Eventually, working with his denturist father turned into a career. When the elder Vandor suffered a stroke in 2010, Brock – who had just received his license to practice – took over the business and began a journey blending the art and science of denture fabrication methods. “I got into it because I love working with my hands and I love helping people, so I can do both at the same time,” said Vandor, who operates both Vandor Denture Centres, in Selkirk and Winnipeg. “Dentures need to look great, feel great, and work great. Patients may not have the self-confidence they used to have. Maybe they’re not smiling in the pictures, maybe they can’t eat. There’s that something limiting their life. We have the solutions for them,” he said. The mere mention of orthodontics or dentures can elevate the stress levels of potential patients, but Vandor and his staff make it a priority to ensure patient comfort, beginning with the consultation. “I don’t have them sitting in the big dental chair with the big light in their face. We have a little table. We sit in regular chairs,” he explained, noting that they will review all options with patients – costs, the look and feel, and how long the process will take. “We see patients a few times, we build a relationship with them,” he said. Throughout the process, there are multiple fittings leading up to the big day. “Patients are eager. I try and hide the mirror, then I show them the mirror. It’s exciting, to make it better than they thought it would be,” he said, about the oftentimes emotional process. Vandor says that technological advancements will benefit both patients and practitioners. “There’s amazing progress happening with 3D printers that make things extremely accurate. There’s a milling machine that will actually cut the denture out of a solid piece of acrylic. There’s no shrinkage with digital manufacturing and digital designing. Things fit better. The bite is more accurate,” he explained. CREATING SMILES TO BE PROUD OF
Brock Vandor, of Vandor Denture Centre, poses with a satisfied customer. SUBMITTED PHOTO
“ I got into it because I love working with my hands and I love helping people, so I can do both at the same time.” — Brock Vandor
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