Nestled in the heart of Courtenay, there鈥檚 a dental clinic that goes beyond fixing teeth 鈥� Dr. Cyrus Bachus, the dentist behind North Island Dental, doesn鈥檛 just see patients; he sees people, each with a story and he鈥檚 grateful for the unwavering support of the Comox Valley community.

Serving the community since 2021, North Island Dental has grown into a close-knit family of nearly 20 full-time staff, making a real impact on the local economy.

Driven by their commitment to inclusivity and social responsibility, North Island Dental is more than just a place of dental excellence, it also brings together a diverse mix of people from the Comox Valley, including military spouses and Ukrainian women who have been affected by conflict in their country.

Dr. Bachus鈥� team shares vastly unique life experiences, allowing North Island Dental the ability to connect deeply with each other as well as the community that walks through their doors in search of dental care.

Most recently, the clinic aided a single mother, by providing her with the opportunity to immigrate to Canada with her five-year-old son. Through the clinic鈥檚 employment, she has not only secured a stable job but also found a supportive community to raise a family.

To understand how North Island Dental came to be and the philosophies behind the business, one must first go back to where it all began.

It was 33 years ago when a group of women at St. Andrew鈥檚 United Church in Mission, B.C., came together to help sponsor a mother and her two sons. One of those boys was 10 years old with a desire to serve and contribute to the community as a profound expression of gratitude for the compassion extended to his family.

Today, he鈥檚 a dentist in Courtenay, who sees his practice as a way to pay forward the kindness his family received when they needed it most. Dr. Bachus and his journey from a refugee immigrant to a successful professional highlights the transformative power community support can have on an individual鈥檚 life.

The former Canadian Armed Forces Captain turned full-time General Dentist continues to support his community in more ways than one. Recently, the clinic has sponsored a high school graduate, funding her tuition fees for the Certified Dental Assisting program at Vancouver Island University.

鈥淪ince I was young, I always wanted to pay back the kindness that was given to me and my family. To be able to help employ people within the community, whether they鈥檙e local, displaced or helping others come to Canada, it feels like my bucket is full. I鈥檓 doing the things that I intended to do,鈥� says Dr. Bachus.