About Us
At Harbour Centre Dental, we are dedicated to providing well-rounded dental care for patients of all ages. Whether you are due for a routine oral health exam, are looking to enhance your natural smile, or require a dental restoration, our dentists will walk you through a treatment plan to suit your unique dental needs.
Meet Your Downtown Dentist
Dr. Nilou Shirzad
General Dentist, BSc. Hon, DMD
Dr. Shirzad is a graduate of UBC’s Faculty of Dentistry, Class of 2002. Practicing for the past twenty years, she has a wealth of experience in all aspects of general, cosmetic and surgical dentistry. Dr. Shirzad combines her knowledge of the dental sciences with a keen eye for detail to maximize oral health and achieve beautiful results. Dr. Shirzad is committed to ongoing advanced and specialized training. She is a faculty club member with the renowned Spear Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona and a member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners. She regularly participates in local study clubs and has added training through several local and international surgical programs. Dr. Shirzad is a firm believer that dedication to continuous education is imperative in a field that is driven by ever-advancing technology, biomaterials and approaches to treatment.
Dr. Shirzad’s commitment to technical excellence is matched only by her desire to act in her patients’ best interest. Her practice philosophy revolves around patient education, where setting the best possible treatment plan is a collaborative process, involving both patient and dentist. Dr. Shirzad is known for a chair-side manner is that is gentle and kind. She is also known to have a weakness for coffee, a love for the fine arts, and a complicated relationship with Lola, her mini-goldendoodle.
MEMBERSHIP: Canadian Dental Association, BC Dental Association, BC College of Dental Surgeons, Faculty Club Member at Spear Dental Institute, American Academy of Clear Aligners
Harbour Centre Dental
Why Us?
Conveniently Located
The beauty of our downtown dental clinic is that its central location at the crossroad of Coal Harbour and Gastown puts it right across the street from Waterfront Station, providing convenient access for public transit users. As a member of the Student Dentalcare Network, our neighbours at Simon Fraser University’s downtown campus also appreciate having Harbour Centre Dental nearby, so students have access to affordable dental services.
Patient-Centred Care
Our philosophy of practice prioritizes patient education; our dentists take a collaborative approach to your dental care, so no matter what brings you to Harbour Centre Dental, we will walk you through your options and determine which treatment plan aligns with your best interests, needs, and budget.
Community Focused
Our dental team is passionate about giving back to the communities we serve, and during our ten years in business, we have proudly supported the Downtown East Side Women’s Centre with financial and product donations. To accommodate our diverse clientele in Gastown and Coal Harbour, we proudly provide dental services in English, French, Farsi, Tagalog, and Hindi.
Fees & Insurance
Our Fees & Insurance Options
Dental Technology at Harbour Centre Dental
Digital Xrays
Relative to traditional xrays, digital xrays are patient-friendly and environmentally-friendly, utilising 50-80% less radiation and require no harmful chemicals to process. Additionally, digital xrays are electronically stored and available to our dentists at the touch of a button. Digital xrays also simplify the claims and insurance process.
VELscope Oral Cancer Screening Device
The VELscope is a blue-light oral cancer screening device that can help in the prevention of oral cancer. Early detection is key in the fight against oral cancer so book your oral cancer screening today. VELscope oral cancer screenings generally take 5-15 minutes and are non-touch and non-invasive, allowing your dentist to check for any lesions in your mouth not visible to the naked eye.
Intraoral Camera
Now you can see your smile as your dentist at Harbour Centre Dental sees your smile. The intraoral camera takes high definition photos of your mouth and shows you the impact of your oral health care routine on your teeth. As well, intraoral photos are ideal for communicating to insurance companies your need for any recommended treatment. They also show you how your smile has improved after dental treatments done at Harbour Centre Dental.
Intra-oral Digital Scanner
The world of digital dentistry is advancing quickly. Gone are the days where messy, gag-inducing impression material must be used. Our digital scanner allows for precise impressions for crowns, bridges and night-guards. It is also an amazing tool to plan and monitor orthodontic treatment using Invisalign. Additionally, overlaying time-lapsed scans precisely shows changes in the dentition and gum-line, allowing for close monitoring of response to treatment and healing.
Harbour Centre Dental
We’re Here to Answer your Dental Questions
How long does a new patient dental appointment take?
A new patient exam is 1 hour, during which relevant radiographic and photographic records are taken to allow for our dentist to diagnose any issues and create an appropriate treatment plan. Subsequent to the new patient exam, the initial hygiene appointment is also booked for 1 hour. In cases where clinical circumstances require it, a second appointment may be required in order to fully treat and complete the initial hygiene therapy.
Why are Oral Cancer Screenings important?
Oral cancer screenings can help prevent oral cancer by allowing early detection of skin changes before these changes reach the cancerous stage. Please click here to learn more.
When are you open?
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I am scared of going to the dentist. Can you help make my treatment easier?
Absolutely! Apart from the fact that our dentists have a gentle and caring touch, we can provide very effective anti-anxiety methods of sedation. Please refer to our Sedation Dentistry section for more information.
Do you accept my dental insurance plan?
As a service to our patients, we will communicate with most dental insurance companies on your behalf, however, any outstanding balances are ultimately the patient’s responsibility.
If you have a question for Harbour Centre Dental, please contact us today.