Dr. Teri Norfolk
Dr Teri Norfolk grew up in the Okanagan and spent her summer holidays on Vancouver Island. She studied to be a dental hygienist at the University of British Columbia and returned there to advance her dental education. In 1992 she graduated with the gold medal in dentistry. After graduation she worked in private practice, and in public health. She also taught anatomy and physiology to dental hygiene students and was a sessional lecturer and clinical instructor at UBC. After living in Vancouver for 30 years she came to her senses and moved to the beautiful Comox Valley and purchased Dr. Steve Blackburn’s practice. When Teri is not at work she loves to travel the world. Closer to home, she is an avid gardener and book lover.
Bruce is our head of security. He has been working at Downstream Dental for 9 years. Over the years he has developed a large fan base and has over 75 followers on Instagram. In his youth he was an avid hiker. He especially loved summiting Mt. Beacher. He is now semiretired and during his down time enjoys snacks, and naps in the sun.
Dr. James Chen
Dr. James Chen grew up in Taiwan and lived in Japan for a year at the age of 10 before moving to Victoria when he was 15. Dr. Chen has a biochemistry degree from UBC and later on graduated from UBC dentistry in 2016. After graduation, Dr. Chen moved to the Comox valley the same year. Dr. Chen enjoys all aspects of dentistry and is trained in dental implants, invisalign, botox, and infant laser frenectomies. Dr. Chen also spends a significant amount of his free time taking continuing education to be up to date with the current dental knowledge and to further improve his skills. Dr. Chen and his wife have 3 young children. Dr. Chen enjoys photography and traveling with the family during his free time. Dr. Chen speaks Mandarin, Taiwanese, and small amount of Japanese. Dr. James Chen is excited to meet you in the office!
Amanda
Amanda Frame joined Downstream Dental in 2020. Prior to that she held a position at Arbor Dental with Dr. Terry Blasco and Dr. Bruce Burgess for 13 years as a CDA. She received her training to become a Certified Dental Assistant at Discovery Community College in 2007. Amanda was born and raised on a farm here in the valley. When she is not hard at work, you will find her busy with her husband and 2 kids.
Cathy
Cathy is one of the CDA/receptionists at Downstream Dental.
She started her career as a dental assistant at Downstream Dental working for Dr Steve Blackburn in 2002 after graduating from the Dental Assistant Certificate program at Malaspina University-College (now VIU). Over the last few years, she has transitioned into the front end administration side of the practice. Outside of the office, Cathy enjoys spending her time with her family at home or exploring the beautiful Comox Valley which has been home for most of her life.
Cheryl
Cheryl grew up on the lower mainland. After graduating as a CDA from Vancouver Community College in 1981 she moved to Vancouver Island. She worked in an ortho practice for 30+ years and joined the Downstream Dental team in 2013. She enjoys snowshoeing, kayaking, walking, gardening and pet sitting.
Crystal
Crystal graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2010 as a Certified Dental Assistant. She loves working and being a part of the Downstream Dental family for the last 4 years. Crystal has lived in the Comox Valley all her life. When she is not hard at work, she is hanging out with her family exploring everything outdoors the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island has to offer, such as hiking, kayaking, beaches, fishing, and road trips.
Judy
Judy Fell joined Downstream Dental as a receptionist/CDA in 2020. Judy received her training through Open Learning Agency while living in Smithers and has 27 years experience providing dental care. Judy worked at Arbor dental for 12 years as a receptionist/CDA. She has enjoyed the Comox Valley for 18 years with her husband gardening, cycling and hiking.
Lee
Lee joined the Downstream dream team in December 2020. She was recently practicing at the Campbell River Dental Centre and prior to that at a periodontal specialty clinic in Abbotsford. She graduated from Dalhousie University in 1986.
Lee and her husband moved to the west coast in 1988. When she’s not working hard at the clinic she can be found at her hobby farm riding her two horses, tending her flock of chickens, or being entertained by her Nigerian dwarf goat Harley.
Megan
Megan has been with the fantastic office that is Downstream Dental since 2016. After graduating from the Dental Assisting program at VIU Nanaimo in 2007, she went on to study Dental Hygiene at Camosun College Victoria, graduating in 2012. She strives to put patients at ease during their appointments and enjoys keeping up with the latest dental hygiene research. In her free time she likes spending time with family and friends, painting and cooking.
Odette
Sarah
Sarah completed her BSc at the University of Victoria, and received her Dental Hygiene education at Vancouver Island University. In her ten years of clinical practice, her favourite part of the job is helping patients to improve their oral and overall health. When not in the office, she can usually be found gardening, cycling, knitting, or making a big mess in her kitchen.
Sheila
Sheila has been a CDA since 1990. She likes pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, she isn’t much into yoga but is into champagne. All joking aside she strives to help people of any age feel more comfortable during their appointments. Her weekends are spent walking through woods or down to the ocean. She also enjoys cooking nice meals for her family and always has a good book on the go.
Tami
Tami has been a dental hygienist for over 20 years. She and her husband Eric moved to the Valley in 2005. Together with their two sons, they love to enjoy all that the Valley has to offer, from camping and mountain biking in the summer to skiing in the winter. Tami also enjoys sitting on various professional and community boards. She loves to cook, but dislikes gardening; that is what farmers’ markets are for. She loves to talk about her children, who are an endless source of entertaining stories. She loves to work with her friends and colleagues at Downstream Dental, and plans to remain here for many years to come.
Sally
Sally was born on Denman Island and moved to Comox when she was 8 weeks old. She has been working at Downstream Dental since then. Sally works as a greeter and a stress reliever to those who care to stroke her silky fur. She also considers bunny surveillance and lunch room floor clean up part of her job description. When she is not at work or on adventure walks, she loves to sleep on couches, beds or best of all, in a patch of sunlight.