Our Team

A husband and wife team, Dr. Cathy Deschênes and Dr. Michael Poitras are dedicated to offering specialized services to and for our patients. They are the proud parents of three children: Leanne, Vincent and Yasmine, and a dog, Baileys.

Dr. Deschênes and Dr. Poitras as a couple
Married in Québec City, they now have three children: Léanne, who is thirteen years old, Vincent, who is eight years old, and Yasmine, who is six. The family also has a lassie dog or collie called Baileys.
Drs. Deschênes and Poitras moved to the Ottawa region for many reasons. They liked the fact that it’s mid-way between Québec City and Sudbury and that it’s also a bilingual area. But there’s more to it than that: As a teenager, Michael spent many summers in the Ottawa area and fell in love with it. He later made several trips here with Cathy, who in turn fell for the capital city.

Our Dream Team  


Dr. Cathy Deschenes  (Dentist)


Born in Chapais Québec, Dr. Deschênes is the daughter of René and France and sister to Enrico. She moved to Dolbeau, Québec as a child, to La Baie, Quebec as a teenager and to Québec City as a university student. After completing one year in nursing, she switched to dental school. Following graduation in 1999, she practiced in Québec City until moving to the Ottawa area in 2004. Oddly enough, she did not meet her husband in dental school, since she graduated before Michael even started. In fact, they were next-door neighbours and the fact that they were both dentists was just a coincidence.

Dr. Michael Poitras  (Dentist)


Born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario, Michael graduated from university with an honours bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. He then moved on to the University of Western Ontario in London, where he finished a degree in dental biochemistry. Next he headed to Québec City, where he obtained his dental degree.

There he developed a fondness for a next-door neighbour, who just happened to be a dentist.

Louise Smith RDH  (Dental Hygienist)


Louise was born and raised in Kapuskasing, ON. In 1989 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Dental Assisting, after which she worked in private practice and public education for two years. Subsequently, Louise went back to school and in 1992 graduated from Cambrian College with a bilingual diploma in Dental Hygiene. Louise then moved to Vancouver Island where she worked in Campbell River and Courtney as a Registered Dental Hygienist for 16 years. During this time, she attended the University of British Columbia and graduated from their local anesthetic program allowing her to administer local anesthetic to those patients who needed it. Louise was also fortunate enough to be part of the BC Fort and Bold forensic team. In July 2008 Louise moved back to Ontario and now resides in Stittsville with her husband and two daughters.

Carine McIntyre RDH  (Dental Hygienist)


 

Carine moved to Ottawa from Charlo, New Brunswick 4 years ago.  She first sudied in Biology before deciding to pursue her career in dental hygiene.  Carine really enjoys workng with the patients at Deschênes-Poitras Dental Centre.  In her spare time she likes to run, read and hangout with family & friends.

Jennifer Prince RDH  (Dental Hygienist)


Jen was born and raised in Waterloo Ontario. Jen was a patient of Dr.Cathy and Dr. Mike for several years where they encouraged her to go back to school and take Dental Hygiene. Jen finally graduated with honours from Algonquin College in April 2010.Now being on both sides of the office she is enjoying every minute of her career as a Dental Hygienist. Jen also has her Early Childhood Education diploma from Conestoga College.

Jen now lives in Arnprior where she spends her weekends on the lake with her son,daughter and husband.

Crystal Parisien  (Dental Assistant)


Crystal was born and raised in Ottawa.  She is a graduate of Everest College and is continuing her education and obtaining her level 2 assisting disploma in the coming months.  She enjoys working in the dental field as Dr. Michael's assistant.  In her free time, she enjoys fishing and spending time with her family, friends and hound dog named Rukus.

Sandy Alvarez  (Dental Assistant)


Sandy was born in Colombia, South America and came to Canada 6 years ago. Her first challenge was to learn English! She then went to CDI College where she completed the Dental Assisting Program and has now been Dr. Cathy's assistant for 4 years. In her spare time Sandy loves music and dancing.

Donna McCulloch  (Dental Receptionist)


Donna was born and raised in Ottawa and presently resides in Barrhaven. Donna is pleased to have joined the team at the Deschênes & Poitras Dental Clinic and brings with her 30 years of experience in all aspects of the dental field.

Samena Kahn  (Dental Receptionist)


Samena has been working as a dental clinic receptionist for the past 8 years where she enjoys providing all aspects of customer care service. She gained most of this experience in dental clinics in Mississauga but has recently settled in Ottawa and loves working with the Deschênes & Poitras staff and patients in Stittsville.