Our Philosophy of Care
At Pleasant Valley Dental, our mission goes far beyond just cleaning and fixing teeth. We’re passionate about oral health because we understand the impact it can have on your confidence, your overall health, and your daily quality of life.
Our team is united in their commitment to doing all we can to make your visit to our office as relaxed, comfortable, and convenient as possible. We want our Vernon community to be happy and healthy!
Meet Dr. Sean Bicknell
General Dentist | DMD, University of Manitoba
Dr. Bicknell graduated from the University of Manitoba in 2003 with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine. Dr. Bicknell was actively involved in dental school, including serving as class president, student representative for the 2002 Canadian Dental Association Accreditation Committee, and was the university’s representative at the 2002 North American Dental Student research seminar at the American Dental Association headquarters in Chicago.
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Dr. Bicknell pursued educational training in addition to his DMD, and was one of two students to simultaneously complete and receive a Bachelor of Science in Dentistry (BSC DENT). His expanded coursework focused on research in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and he was privileged and honoured to have his study “Frequency of Pharyngoplasty After Primary Repair of Cleft Palate” published in the December 2002 issue of The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association.
Prior to moving to Vernon, Dr. Bicknell worked for Health Canada serving the remote communities of Northern Manitoba for two years following graduation. He found this to be an amazing experience not only professionally but personally as well—being able to see some extremely isolated parts of the country and meeting some amazing folks along the way! A major highlight of Dr. Bicknell’s career was his mission trip to Guatemala in 2003. While working out of a little school house in the middle of third-world Guatemala definitely presented its challenges, but being able to help those in need was a feeling and experience he will never forget.
Offering a comprehensive mix of dental services, Dr. Bicknell enjoys seeing patients of all ages. He still can’t decide whether the kids are more excited to see him or to visit his treasure chest in the waiting room. He feels very fortunate to have so many wonderful patients put their trust in him and promises to always do his best to provide the greatest care possible.
Dr. Bicknell and his wife, Jessie, have been proud to call Vernon home since 2005 when they moved and joined the team at Pleasant Valley Dental. They are proud parents to four children: Anderson (born 2007), Chloe (born 2009), Carys (born 2012), and Sullivan (born 2014). (Needless to say, there is never a dull moment around the Bicknell household!) The Bicknells felt Vernon would be the perfect community to raise their family and enjoy a laid-back and simple lifestyle. They couldn’t be any happier with their choice–they love Vernon and all the extraordinary people they have met here over the years.
The Bicknell family are active outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy skiing, hiking, biking, and everything else the Okanagan has to offer.
Meet Dr. Alexandra Montian
General Dentist | DDS, University of Toronto
Dr. Alexandra Montian began dreaming of being a dentist when she was six years old and living in Belarus. She moved to Toronto when she was ten. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Disease and a Master of Science in Oral Microbiology prior to graduating from the University of Toronto with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 2017.
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While completing her DDS, Dr. Montian was fortunate to participate in two life-changing outreach opportunities, one in Honduras serving kids in need, and one in Toronto where she and another dental school classmate helped establish the Volunteer Dental Outreach (VDO) clinic in Halliburton, Ontario, which provides free dental services to local residents who cannot afford them. She is grateful to Dr. William Kerr, who implemented and ran both outreach programs.
Dr. Montian feels very fortunate to have joined the tight-knit Pleasant Valley Dental team. She feels it is a privilege to work along with talented, knowledgeable mentors like Dr. Bicknell. She is passionate about building lasting patient relationships and finds inspiration in patient diversity, unique health care goals, but especially their smiles. She finds dentistry most rewarding when patients are at ease and is very excited about the constantly evolving nature of technology in dentistry, which allows her to offer new techniques, treatment options and procedures to achieve better patient care and successful long-term results.
Dr. Montian moved to Okanagan in February 2018 with her husband, Yuri, in part because they always wanted to live closer to the mountains. They both enjoy anything that gets them outside, including backcountry camping, hiking, mountain biking, scuba diving and skiing. The Montians feel they could not have landed in a better community and are very thankful for the warm welcome they have received!
Meet Dr. Marcus Hackman
General Dentist | DMD, University of Alberta
Dr. Hackman attended the University of Alberta for a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, graduating in 2015. He then completed his Doctorate of Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver in 2019. After working for two years in Alberta, he decided to move to the beautiful Okanagan in May 2021.
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Connecting isolated and underserved communities to dental care is an aspect of dentistry that Dr. Hackman finds great enjoyment in. He’s volunteered care in a small community in Jamaica, the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, and is hoping to find more similar opportunities.
Dr. Hackman is ecstatic to be working with the brilliant Pleasant Valley Dental team, always striving to provide top-notch care for patients. He loves meeting new people and helping them overcome any fears or barriers that have prevented them from achieving immaculate oral health.
Marcus is constantly seeking out adventure in the outdoors, enjoying back country hiking, scuba diving, golfing, snowboarding and camping.
