Dr. Benjamin Pliska, DDS,MS,FRCD
Certified Specialist in Orthodontics

Dr. Ben Pliska was born in Mission, B.C., but grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, where he enjoyed playing both soccer and football as a teenager. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Ottawa, and attended the University of Western Ontario for Dental School. At Western Dr. Pliska was honored to serve as Class President and to graduate at the top of his class as the Gold Medalist in Dentistry.

Immediately following dental school, Dr. Pliska pursued specialty training in Orthodontics at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he was granted a Certificate in Orthodontics and Master’s Degree in Dentistry. Following graduation, Dr. Pliska was recruited to join the faculty in the Graduate Orthodontic Program at the University of Minnesota. After a few years in Minneapolis Dr. Pliska happily returned home to Canada and beautiful Vancouver to join the faculty of the Graduate Orthodontic Program at the University of British Columbia.

As a certified specialist in Orthodontics and fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, Dr. Pliska is proud to contribute to the education, health and wellbeing of his community. He is an active member of the Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO), American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).

Dr. Pliska lives in Vancouver with his wife Dr. Roxana Saldarriaga, a local Prosthodontist, and their children Isabella and Sebastian. In his spare time, Dr. Pliska enjoys exploring the outdoors of the lower mainland with his family – on bikes, boat or skis.

Dr. Mona Sadegh, General Dentists (Practice Limited to Endodontics)

Dr. Mona’s dental experience goes back to the year 2009 when she was first qualified as a general dentist from Azad Dental University of Tehran/Iran where she achieved the top rank among her classmates.

3 years later in 2012, she graduated as an Endodontist from Tehran University which is one of the highest ranking dental schools in Iran, achieving the second rank in the national specialty board exam. Afterwards, she officially started her career as Endodontist.

Upon immigrating to Canada in 2016, she went through the dental eligibility exams and successfully passed the National Dental Examination Board of Canada and became a registered general dentist in British Columbia.

With great background and proficiency in the field of Endodontics, her practice is mainly focusing in the field of root canal treatment and retreatment of the teeth with previous root treatment.

She likes to stay up to date with the latest advances in dentistry by attending continuing education courses.

When she is not busy at work, she loves spending time with her husband and little son. She also enjoys hiking, reading and listening to music.

Dr.Mona looks forward to welcoming you to Aarm Dental and hopes you experience a painless and pleasant care.

Dr. Israa Elgazzar, General Dentists

Dr. Israa Elgazzar is a graduate of the University of Manitoba, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry. While there, she conducted research on implant failure to obtain her B.Sc. (Dent). Dr. Elgazzar is friendly and approachable to all, including children. She has certification in the use of nitrous oxide sedation for patients who may have dental anxiety. Dr. Elgazzar believes in keeping up to date with dental literature to ensure that she provides the best care for her patients. Doctor-patient communication is a top priority for her to ensure her patients make informed decisions regarding their care. In her free time, she loves the BC outdoors and spends her free time on her bike, hiking or on long runs.