Meet The Doctors

To our valued patients:         

This letter is to inform you that that Dr. Ivan Zolotco and his wife, and assistant, Ana will be leaving Lantzville Dental Clinic as of April 28th, 2022. They have been presented with an exciting opportunity to join as partners at another dental practice. While the LDC team will dearly miss them, we are thrilled for them as well.   We have enjoyed working with Ivan and Ana over the past five years and we wish them good luck and success!  

 We welcome Dr. Zolotco’s patients to continue with their dental services at LDC.  We are committed to providing the very best in oral care for you and your family. If you would like to stay in touch with Dr. Zolotco for your future dental needs, we would be happy to assist you.

 As well, we have some exciting news to share. We are pleased to announce that Dr. Atit Patel is joining our team.  Dr. Patel will begin practicing in Lantzville part-time in May 2022.  Dr. Patel moved to Vancouver Island in 2018 and currently practices in Parksville.  He lives in Nanaimo with his wife Krishna who is a CPA and their new-born daughter Dhea.

 Just like Dr. Zolotco, Dr. Patel has a gentle and kind spirit.  Prior to moving to Canada, he provided dental services to impoverished communities in India.  In addition to his dental degree, he also has a Business Administration Degree.  Atit enjoys swimming and painting when he has free time. Atit will be providing all aspects of dental services and will be working most Saturdays.  

 Please join us in welcoming Atit and his family to our community and our clinic. Welcome to the LDC family, Atit!

 With best wishes from your Lantzville Dental Team!

Dr. Anthony Ciammaichella

Dr. “Tony” grew up on Vancouver Island, graduated from the University of Victoria (B.Sc. 1985) and the University of British Columbia (D.M.D 1989) and has practiced dentistry in sunny downtown Lantzville for his entire career. He built the Lantzville Dental Building in 1993. He is married to Susan, who has assisted him at the clinic since 1990! They have 2 active children.

Tony has been an active participant in various hands-on study groups in dentistry including: RV Tucker Cast Gold Study Club, Vancouver Dental Education Centre, Occlusion Connections (Las Vegas), California Centre for Advanced Dental Studies and Esthetics, and Spear Study Club. While offering services for all aspects of family dentistry, as a result of his extensive participation in various study clubs, his focus involves smile design and esthetics, reconstructive dentistry, and treating chronic pain and temporomandibular related disorders. 

Tony has a long history of community service involvement. He has been a past Board Member of the following organizations:

  • Past President and Secretary-Treasurer, Nanaimo and District Dental Society
  • Rotary Club of Lantzville
  • Nanaimo Crime Stoppers
  • Nanaimo Child Development Centre
  • Harbour City Football Club
  • Lantzville Business Improvement Association
  • Co-Founder and past Chair, and current Board member of Aspengrove IB World School in Lantzville
  • Accredited minor hockey and soccer coach

Tony has many interests. He especially enjoys family recreational activities and travel and any opportunity in making memories with family and friends. He also loves the Boston Bruins, Ferrari, and the Italian soccer team, but not necessarily in that order.

Fun Fact about Dr. “Tony”
He’s received two community service awards in recognition of his extensive community service record.

  • Association of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia Humanitarian Award - Inaugural Provincial Award “in recognition of a distinctive track record and commitment to community activities in British Columbia”
  • Rotary Club of Lantzville Paul Harris Fellowship - “in recognition of local community service”


 


Dr. Sean Saunders

Sean was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. He attended the University of Alberta where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He also received an award for Periodontal Excellence.

Sean has been working in his field for over 23 years. He’s very passionate about his work and is always improving his dental skills. He participates in a Spear Study Club and belongs to the Island Pursuit of Dental Excellence Group. He also completed The Kois Center dental curriculum of over 200 hours of advanced dental education. Sean is known to provide gentle and quality dental care. Seeing the improvement in a patient’s function, comfort and aesthetics is very rewarding.

On a personal level, Sean tries to spend as much time with his family as possible. He loves traveling, snowboarding and trail running. He’s most proud of his 3 children and who they’re growing up to be.

Charities are also a big part of Sean’s life and he contributes monthly to various organizations including the BC Children’s Hospital, Nanaimo Child Development Centre, Plan Canada, Red Cross, BC Cancer Society and the Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation. He’s also a founding board member of Aspengrove School.

Fun Fact about Sean
He can play piano and he’s very good at movie trivia.



Dr. Aileen Saunders

Dr.Aileen Saunders graduated from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery (with distinction) degrees in 1994. She has been practicing at Lantzville Dental Clinic since 2006 but previously practiced in Penticton, Parksville and Courteney.

Aileen is committed to life-long learning as a member of the Island Pursuit of Dental Excellence study club since 2010, and as a graduate of the Kois Centre in Seattle, a world leader in advanced dental education. She completed the curriculum of 9 courses with over 200 hours of didactic and clinical training for graduate dentists in 2015 and has attended the annual symposium. Aileen regularly attends continuing education courses to provide the most current techniques, knowledge and technology in her dental practice. She is a member of the Canadian Dental Association, British Columbia Dental Association, BC College of Dental Surgeons and the Nanaimo District Dental Society.

Aileen is known for her gentle delivery of dentistry and making her patients feel comfortable. She thoroughly explains procedures and educates them to keep them at ease. She enjoys building long-term relationships with her patients and helping them restore their occlusion and function. 

When not in the clinic,Aileen enjoys spending time with her husband Sean and her 3 active children. She is an avid gardener and enjoys camping and improving her skiing technique. She volunteers many hours at her children's school. swim club and other local events. She is also passionate about supporting several local charities. 

Fun Fact about Aileen: If she could do anything even if she didn’t get paid to do it, she’d be a chef! She would also be a great event planner since she pays attention to detail and is a good multi-tasker.



Dr. Atit Patel

 Dr. Patel will begin practicing in Lantzville part-time in May 2022.  Dr. Patel moved to Vancouver Island in 2018 and currently practices in Parksville.  He lives in Nanaimo with his wife Krishna who is a CPA and their new-born daughter Dhea.

Dr. Patel has a gentle and kind spirit.  Prior to moving to Canada, he provided dental services to impoverished communities in India.  In addition to his dental degree, he also has a Business Administration Degree.  Atit enjoys swimming and painting when he has free time. Atit will be providing all aspects of dental services and will be working most Saturdays.