Dr. Bruce Kai-Yen Chou – Dentist | Port Moody, BC

Dr. Bruce Kai-Yen Chou is a Dentist. Practicing at a dentist practice in Port Moody, BC, Dr. Chou is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Dr. Chou is licensed by The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) and adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards of the dental profession in BC. Dr. Chou provides a wide range of dental services for patients of all ages, including preventative care, routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal treatments (non-specialist), and basic extractions, focused on maintaining overall oral health. Dr. Chou serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. For patient convenience, direct billing to many major dental insurance plans may be available at the clinic.

Dr. Bruce Kai-Yen Chou earned a Dental Degree. With over 10 years of practice since 2015, Dr. Chou has cultivated extensive clinical experience. Dr. Chou is dedicated to ongoing continuing education to provide up-to-date dental care. This commitment ensures that Dr. Chou remains at the forefront of advancements in dental techniques and technologies, allowing them to offer patients the most effective and comfortable treatments available.

Key aspects of Dr. Chou's dental practice philosophy include: believing in conservative dentistry, aiming to preserve natural tooth structure whenever possible; a strong emphasis on preventative dentistry and patient education to help maintain lifelong oral health; tailoring treatment plans to meet the unique needs, goals, and circumstances of each individual patient. Dr. Chou is fluent in English and also offers consultations in Cantonese, Mandarin and Taiwanese.

Dr. Bruce Kai-Yen Chou provides expert care for a wide range of dental and oral health conditions for patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Dental Pain Emergency

• Dental Trauma (e.g., Knocked-out or Dislodged Tooth - Emergency Care): Providing immediate care for teeth that have been knocked out (avulsed), dislodged, or fractured due to an accident or injury, aiming to save the tooth if possible.
• Dental Abscess (Localized Infection): Managing acute dental infections to relieve pain, control the spread of infection, and address the source.
• Lost Filling or Crown: Addressing situations where a dental filling or crown has become dislodged or fallen out, requiring temporary or permanent replacement.

Preventative Oral Health Topics

• Questions about Dental Products (Toothpaste, Mouthwash, etc.): Wanting to understand which dental products are best for their specific oral health needs or conditions.
• Concerns about Oral Hygiene Practices: Seeking advice on how to improve brushing, flossing, or overall oral hygiene techniques.

Tooth Decay Cavities

• Dental Caries (Cavities / Tooth Decay): Restoring teeth affected by decay with appropriate filling materials to maintain oral health.
• Early Childhood Caries (ECC) / Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Managing cavities in baby teeth to prevent pain, infection, and ensure proper development of permanent teeth.

Common Dental Issues

• Sensitive Teeth (Dentin Hypersensitivity): Managing tooth sensitivity, identifying underlying causes like gum recession or enamel wear, and providing desensitizing treatments or advice.
• Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth: Addressing broken or cracked teeth to restore their form, function, and prevent infection.

This list offers some examples of conditions commonly addressed. A comprehensive diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Chou. If your specific oral health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs and appropriate treatment options.

• Dental Bridges (Fixed Partial Dentures): Fixed prosthetic solutions designed to effectively fill the gap left by missing teeth, thereby improving chewing ability, speech, and overall smile appearance.
• Root Canal Treatment (Non-Surgical Endodontics - Uncomplicated Cases): Treatment involving the removal of infected or damaged pulp from inside the tooth, thorough cleaning and shaping of the root canal system, and sealing it to prevent reinfection, often for less complex endodontic cases.
• Custom Mouthguards (Sports & Night Guards for Bruxism): Providing custom-made night guards (occlusal splints) to protect teeth from the effects of nocturnal bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching).
• Comprehensive Dental Examinations: Thorough oral health evaluations, including a detailed check of teeth, gums, soft tissues, jaw alignment, and screening for oral cancer.
• Fluoride Treatments: Professional fluoride therapy to help protect your teeth against decay and enhance remineralization.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Chou. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any treatment depends on individual assessment. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific dental needs, please schedule a consultation.

All dental services by Dr. Bruce Kai-Yen Chou adhere to scope of practice for Dentists in BC and standards of The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).

At Dr. Bruce Kai-Yen Chou's practice, the focus is on partnering with you to achieve significant improvements in your oral health, address your specific dental concerns, and help you attain your desired smile. Dr. Chou frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• If feeling like their teeth were gradually shifting position or their bite was changing noticeably over time is proving to be a significant barrier to your daily comfort or confidence, Dr. Chou develops targeted strategies aimed squarely at having a custom-fitted sports mouthguard to protect their smile during athletic activities. This careful approach facilitates your ability to once again fully enjoy feeling relief from chronic headaches that were linked to their TMJ or bruxism.
• When patients discuss recognizing the need for a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) because it had been a significant time since their last professional hygiene visit, Dr. Chou outlines a path to the dark spot on their tooth being treated, preventing a larger cavity from forming, aiming to restore not just oral health but also the ability to comfortably feeling that their dental health fully supports their active and engaged lifestyle.
• With Dr. Chou's compassionate and skilled dental care, managing feeling like their jaw was often stiff, sore, or difficult to move freely, especially upon waking in the morning is focused on achieving the sore spot or ulcer in their mouth healing completely after diagnosis and treatment. This empowers patients to get back to what they love, such as being able to attending social events and family dinners without worrying about denture stability or food getting trapped without dental concerns.
• If their child frequently complaining of a sore tooth or dental discomfort is preventing you from fully enjoying easily flossing and brushing without encountering pain or bleeding from their gums or causing discomfort, Dr. Chou offers expert dental solutions. The primary aim is to achieve experiencing a significant reduction or complete resolution of a dull, aching pain in their jaw joint area through comprehensive and personalized dental care.

Your personalized dental treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Chou, will be carefully designed to help you reach your specific functional, aesthetic, and overall wellness objectives. Dr. Chou is committed to empowering patients with the information and high-quality care needed to achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile for life.

Dr. Chou's practice, a dental office in Port Moody, is situated in the Port Moody Centre, Heritage Mountain, Ioco neighborhood of Port Moody. The clinic is conveniently located near Newport Village and is accessible via TransLink (SkyTrain Millennium Line, West Coast Express, Bus). Street parking and nearby lots offer accessible options for your visit.

Do I need a referral to see a general dentist like Dr. Chou?

No, you generally do not need a referral from a physician or another healthcare provider to see a general dentist like Dr. Chou for a check-up, cleaning, or consultation. You can usually book an appointment directly with the clinic.

What services does a General Dentist (Dentist) like Dr. Chou typically provide?

A General Dentist like Dr. Chou is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages, offering a wide range of services including preventative care (check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride, sealants), restorative treatments (fillings, crowns, bridges), basic endodontics (root canals on less complex teeth), simple extractions, initial management of gum disease, and cosmetic procedures (like whitening or bonding). Dr. Chou also educates patients on oral hygiene and refers to specialists for more complex needs.

What payment options are available at the clinic for dental services?

For your convenience, our clinic accepts various payment methods, including cash, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, and sometimes American Express. We also work with many private dental insurance plans. Please discuss specific payment arrangements and insurance details with our administrative team prior to your treatment. Payment for services is generally expected at the time treatment is rendered.

How often should I (or my child) visit Dr. Chou for a check-up and cleaning?

Generally, we recommend every 6 months for most patients for preventative care. However, Dr. Chou will recommend a personalized schedule based on individual oral health needs, risk factors for cavities or gum disease, and existing conditions (e.g., some may need visits every 3-4 months if managing active gum disease or at high caries risk, while others with excellent long-term health might have slightly longer intervals). It is important to follow Dr. Chou's specific recommendation.

Is dental treatment generally covered by provincial health plans like Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC in BC?

In BC, provincial health plans (like Medical Services Plan (MSP) of BC) typically do NOT cover most routine or major dental procedures performed in private dental clinics for the general population. Some specific, limited dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting might be covered. Most dental care costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients or through private dental insurance plans (often through employers) or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits). Verify any potential public coverage and check your private dental insurance details before treatment.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Chou at the clinic?

Your first visit with Dr. Chou will typically involve a comprehensive dental examination. This includes a review of your medical and dental history, a thorough check of your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues (including an oral cancer screening), and any necessary X-rays. Dr. Chou will discuss their findings, address your concerns, and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan if needed. Often, a professional cleaning will also be performed or scheduled during this visit or a subsequent one.

Are dental X-rays safe, and how often are they needed?

Dental X-rays are very safe, especially modern digital X-rays which use minimal radiation. Protective lead aprons are used. X-rays are taken only when diagnostically necessary (e.g., for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments). Dr. Chou will determine the frequency based on your individual oral health, risk factors, and dental history, adhering to guidelines like ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).

Does our clinic offer direct billing to dental insurance companies (assignment of benefits)?

While we do not offer direct billing to insurance companies at this time (meaning payment in full is due at the time of service), we will provide you with all the necessary standardized dental claim forms and detailed official receipts. You can then easily submit these to your dental insurance provider for prompt reimbursement according to your policy terms and coverage. Our administrative team is happy to assist you with understanding the forms if needed.

528-130 Brew St
Port Moody, BC, V3H 0E3

Phone: (604) 469-6636

Dr. Bruce Kai-Yen Chou is a licensed Dentist in BC, regulated by The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP) under the Health Professions Act (British Columbia).

Registration can typically be verified through the website of The British Columbia College of Oral Health Professionals (BCCOHP).

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr. Chou and the team are committed to providing you with comprehensive dental care. If you have a dental emergency, please contact the clinic promptly. For after-hours emergencies that are life-threatening, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.