A Promise Kept: Love It Dental Reimagines Dentistry

Love It Dental has been open for about a year and a half, and owner and dentist Suzanne Degner can confidently say her vision has come to life.

“When I opened Love It Dental in September 2022, I wanted to create an environment that was unlike any other dental clinic,” says Suzanne. “I didn’t want people to feel like their appointment was a chore—I wanted them to love it!”

As patients eagerly return for follow ups, positive reviews pour in and the practice continues to grow, Suzanne is filled with gratitude and love for the community that makes it all possible. “It is such a highlight for me to have new patients referring their family and friends to me,” she says. “It lets me know that I am doing exactly what I set out to do.”

Having a background in nursing, Suzanne was always passionate about integrating a higher level of care into her practice as a dentist. When she was working as a dental associate in her hometown of Edmonton, she would often dream about how she would run her own clinic one day.

Moving with her four wonderful children to Kelowna was a big decision, but now that Suzanne has had time to settle in, she has no regrets. “I believe that when you surround yourself with great people who want you to succeed, you are able to accomplish so much more,” she says. “My family and the community here have all been so supportive.”

As a first time business owner, Suzanne’s journey with Love It Dental has not been free from challenges. Like anything worth doing, she says, entrepreneurship can be tough.

“I think it’s important as women in business not to sugar coat it—owning a business is crazy hard work!” she says. “There’s always going to be a lesson you have to learn, a conversation that’s difficult to have, and a day off you’re not able to take. But if you truly love what you do, it will always be worth it.”

If you live in the Okanagan, Suzanne might look familiar. Since opening Love It Dental, she’s been in several publications and is constantly out mingling or speaking at local events. While she seems like a natural, Suzanne will tell you that she had to work hard at being comfortable in the spotlight.

“Although it didn’t come easily at first, I knew that by getting myself out there, I was really getting all women out there,” says Suzanne. “We need to be seen and recognized so that other women and girls know they can be and do anything.”

If you’re dreading your next dentist appointment, Suzanne wants you to know that it doesn’t have to be that way. “Many people who are seeking us out have not been to a dentist in several years and have stayed away out of fear, anxiety and negative past experiences,” she explains. “It is deeply rewarding to earn the trust of these people and transform them into a new way of doing dentistry where there is compassion, understanding, care and love.”