Meet Dr. Brett Shkopich

Most people end up calling me Dr. Brett, and that has always felt very natural to me. Dr. Shkopich is absolutely fine too, but I think Dr. Brett feels a little easier for patients, especially kids and families.

Dentistry can already feel formal or intimidating for some people, so anything that makes the relationship feel more comfortable is a good thing. I want patients to feel like they are talking to a real person, not just someone in a white coat telling them what to do. So, Dr. Brett usually sticks, and I am happy with that.

I was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, so that is really where my story starts. I did my undergraduate degree in Physiology at the University of Saskatchewan and then completed my Doctor of Dental Medicine there as well.

After dental school, I had the chance to gain experience at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where I treated medically compromised patients and sedation patients. That experience really shaped the way I think about patient care. I moved to Edmonton in 2014, and over time it started to feel like home. Edmonton has been a great place to build a practice, meet patients, and create the kind of dental environment I always hoped to be part of.

Outside the clinic, I really enjoy being outdoors. Living in Alberta makes that pretty easy because there is so much to do if you like getting outside. Working out and running are very important to me, I do those things daily to help me get ready for my day as a dentist.

I try to snowboard in the mountains every year, and I also enjoy spending time at the lakes fishing and water skiing. Those kinds of activities help me recharge. Dentistry is very focused work, and I think it is important to have time away where you can clear your head and enjoy being active. I have always liked that balance. Edmonton has been a great home base because you have city life, but you are also not far from some really beautiful places.

I hope they notice that I am not trying to rush through the appointment. I want patients to feel that they have time to explain what is bothering them, what they are worried about, and what they are hoping to accomplish.

Every patient comes in with a different history, and sometimes the most important part of the first visit is simply listening. Once I understand where they are coming from, I can explain what I see, what the options are, and what I would recommend. I try to make those conversations clear and practical. Patients should not feel like dentistry is happening to them. They should feel involved in the process and comfortable asking questions along the way.

I would say it was more of a path I found as I went along. I was always interested in science, health, and how the body works, which is why physiology was such a good fit for me early on.

Dentistry became appealing because it brings a lot of things together. There is the science side, the technical side, the problem solving, and then there is the human side, which is really important. You are working closely with people, often when they are nervous or uncomfortable, and you have a chance to make that experience better for them. Over time, I realized dentistry gave me a way to use my skills in a very practical and personal way.

I think patients should always understand why something is being recommended. If I see a concern, I want to show the patient what I am seeing, explain what it means, and talk through the options in plain language.

Sometimes treatment is urgent, and sometimes it is something we can monitor or plan for over time. Those are very different conversations, and patients deserve to understand the difference. I never want someone to feel like they are being pushed into a decision. My role is to give them the information, explain the risks and benefits, and help them make a choice that makes sense for their health, comfort, timeline, and budget. I always finish my exams with a treatment outline and a priority list for my patients, this allows them to understand what needs to be done right away and what things we can accomplish over the coming years.

My interest in sedation started early in my training, especially through my hospital experience in Saskatoon. I worked with patients who had more complex medical needs and patients who needed sedation to receive care safely and comfortably. That showed me how important sedation can be for the right patient.

Some people are extremely anxious, some need longer or more involved procedures, and some have avoided dental care for years because the whole experience feels overwhelming. IV sedation can make care much more manageable for those patients. Deciding whether sedation is appropriate always starts with a conversation. We look at the patient’s health, their level of anxiety, the type of treatment involved, and what will help them feel safe and supported.

Ongoing learning is a big part of how I practise. Dental school gives you the foundation, but dentistry keeps changing, and I think patients benefit when their dentist stays engaged with new techniques, materials, technology, and approaches to care. I continue to take educational courses beyond my original training, especially in areas like sedation, surgical dentistry, and implant dentistry.

For me, it is not about chasing every new thing that comes along. It is about understanding what is changing, looking at the evidence, and deciding what genuinely improves patient care. I want patients to know that the recommendations I make are based on current knowledge, experience, and what I believe is appropriate for their situation.

The first thing I try to do is slow everything down. If someone is nervous, the worst thing we can do is rush them or make them feel judged. A lot of patients carry embarrassment because they have not been in for a while, but from my perspective, the important thing is that they came in. That is the first step.

I like to talk with them, understand what happened in the past, and find out what they are most worried about. From there, we can build a plan that actually fits them. Sometimes that means starting with something simple. Sometimes it means talking about sedation options. The goal is to help them feel heard, informed, and in control of what happens next.

That long-term relationship is one of the most rewarding parts of dentistry. When you see patients over time, you get to understand their history, their concerns, their goals, and the little things that make their care feel easier.

That matters because dentistry is not always one single appointment. It is prevention, maintenance, treatment planning, emergencies, family care, and helping people make decisions as their needs change. I want patients to feel that Life Dentistry is a place they can come back to and be known. That kind of continuity builds trust. It also helps us provide more thoughtful care because we are not starting from zero every time someone walks through the door.

I would want them to know that they are not the only person who feels that way. A lot of people feel nervous about coming to the dentist, especially if it has been a while or if they have had a difficult experience in the past. We understand that, and we are not here to judge anyone.

The first appointment is really about getting to know you, understanding your concerns, and figuring out what kind of care makes sense for your situation. At Life Dentistry, we have different ways to help patients feel more comfortable, including sedation options when appropriate. My advice would be to just start with the conversation. You do not have to have everything figured out before you come in.