Dr. Damara Rayner has been practicing general dentistry for 29 years. She graduated from the University Of Saskatchewan College Of Dentistry in 1990 and began working at Westend Dental Clinic in Saskatoon. In 1994, Dr. Rayner became the owner of Westend Dental with her current business partner, Dr. Shaun Brakstad. During that time, Dr. Rayner was a part-time faculty member at the College of Dentistry, where she instructed dental students in fixed prosthodontics or crowns and bridges. She was also involved in the dental community and was the President of the Saskatoon Dental Society. She organized continuing education meetings for the Saskatoon dentists and was the Chairperson of the Scientific Sessions for the Saskatchewan oral health professionals.
In 1998, Dr. Rayner, together with Dr. Brakstad, opened a second dental clinic in Saskatoon, Kenderdine Dental. In the fall/winter of 2017, Dr.’s Rayner and Brakstad are opening their third clinic in Willowgrove, Willowgrove Dental. Dr. Rayner is currently practicing at Kenderdine Dental and is involved in the management of both dental clinics. She has been married for 26 years to John Rayner, a Senior Wealth Advisor at ScotiaMcleod, and is a proud mother to Sara and Molly. Molly is attending the University of Saskatchewan and Dr. Sara Rayner graduated from the College of Dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan and is practising at Kenderdine and Willowgrove dental clinics.
Dr. Brakstad graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry in 1993. Shaun has worked at Westend Dental since 1993 and became the owner of the clinic in 1994. He has been a clinical instructor at the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan since 1994, currently teaching dental implants to the students. Shaun has completed many comprehensive additional courses in Implants, CEREC, iTERO, and Orthodontics. Shaun maintains a general dentistry practice as well as oral surgery, implantology, orthodontics (brackets and Invisalign). Away from the clinic Shaun loves spending time outside golfing, fishing, hunting, quadding, lake time in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter.
Dr. Sara Rayner was born and raised in Saskatoon, SK. She graduated from the University Of Saskatchewan College Of Dentistry in 2017 where she received the Faculty of Dentistry Gold Medal Award and Governor General’s Silver Medal. After her third year of dental school, Dr. Rayner travelled to Arusha, Tanzania to volunteer in a local dental clinic. She also participated in the “Give Back A Smile” program at Kenderdine Dental, where free dental care was provided to Syrian refugees. In her free time, Dr. Rayner enjoys spending time at the lake, travelling, running, golf, swimming and yoga.
Dr. Brendon Reynaud was born and raised in Prince Albert, SK. Upon completing high school, he moved to Saskatoon to begin his journey to become a dentist. After completing his Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Dr. Reynaud was accepted into the University Of Saskatchewan College Of Dentistry. Upon graduation in 2017, he began working at Kenderdine Dental. In the summer of 2016, along with Dr. Sara Rayner, he volunteered with the “Give Back A Smile”program at Kenderdine Dental providing free dental care for Syrian refugees. Dr. Reyanud is a part-time clinical instructor in pediatric dentistry at the University of Saskatchewan. In his free time he enjoys sports, mainly hockey and golf. Brendon likes to spend as much time as he can at Waskesiu Lake in the summer with his parents and brother.
Dr. Kyle Diakow was born and raised in Prince Albert, SK. He then moved to Saskatoon to attend the University of Saskatchewan, completing a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Pharmacology in 2014. Dr. Diakow then went on to graduate from the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry in 2018. While in dental school, he volunteered for various programs including Dental Day YXE (serving low-income patients), as well as Sharing Smiles Day (serving patients with disabilities). After graduation, Dr. Diakow practiced in Calgary for 2 years, before returning to his roots in the prairies. He enjoys running, hiking, and spending as much time as he can with his mini-goldendoodle, Rory. In Dr. Diakow’s free time he enjoys playing hockey as a goalie in the winters, and golfing in the summer months.
Dr. Sabrina Lamont grew up in Mississauga, Ontario and attended Queen’s University where she received an honours degree in Biology in 2014. She moved to Saskatoon in 2015 to pursue dentistry and has been in love with the city ever since! Dr. Lamont completed her DMD degree and graduated from the U of S College of Dentistry in 2019.
Dr. Lamont is an avid participant in continuing education, most notably at the reputable Kois Centre in Seattle Washington. She enjoys treating patients in all aspects of general dentistry, with a special interest in TMD, crown and bridge and esthetic cases.
When Dr. Lamont is not at the office, she enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with friends, family and her partner Ken.
Dr. Shira Weber was born and raised in Saskatoon. She graduated from the University of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry in 2020. Dr. Weber worked in Saskatoon for 2 years practicing general dentistry before joining Kenderdine Dental in October 2022. Her inspiration and the reason she decided to pursue dentistry was because of clinic owner Dr. Shaun Brakstad. Dr. Weber is very excited to now be practicing with him and the rest of the Kenderdine team. Shira grew up in the neighbourhood surrounding Kenderdine Dental and is a long-time patient of the clinic so she is excited to be practicing in an area that feels like home. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with family, friends, her husband Adam and puppy Rue. She looks forward to caring for the patients of Kenderdine Dental!
Christopher enjoys practicing in all areas of dentistry and strives to make patients feel comfortable and taken care of. He takes a particular interest in extractions, Invisalign and using dentures to restore function and aesthetics to patient’s smiles. He is a Key Opinion Leader for the Aurum Group on digital dentures and has been lecturing with them for over two years. He looks forward to expanding the scope of his practice to include neuromodulators and airway management in the dental patient.
Outside of dentistry Christopher uses every free moment to visit, laugh and spend time with friends and family. Him and his wife, Jenna, love entertaining, travelling and playing with their dogs Reba and Penny. Their family grew by one in the fall of 2023 when they welcomed their son, Liam, to their lives.
Ryan Gallagher was born and raised in Saskatoon. Prior to pursuing dentistry, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in mathematical physics at the University of Saskatchewan; he was awarded the Most Outstanding Graduate in both physics and mathematical physics in 2007. In 2013, he received the College of Dentistry Gold Medal for achieving the highest standing in his graduating class. After graduating with his DMD, Ryan practiced as a general dentist for two years prior to pursuing the General Practice Residency (GPR) at Dalhousie University. Through his GPR program, he received training in intravenous (IV) sedation, complicated extractions, and medically complex cases. Since graduating from his GPR program, he has also pursued extensive training in implant placement and restoration.In 2018, Ryan moved from Halifax back home to Saskatoon. He practices the full range of general dentistry, including IV sedation and complicated extractions. Ryan takes pride in putting patients at ease and providing the highest quality of dental care. When he isn’t at work, he is spending time with his twin boys and his terrier.
Brenda Nilsson-Aspen graduated from Wascana Institue of Applied Arts and Science Dental Therapy program in 1983 in Regina, Saskatchewan, followed by Dental Hygiene in 1992. She worked in the school based government dental program from 1983-1987. Upon completing her dental hygiene diploma, she began her career in private practice in 1992. Brenda has been practicing at Kenderdine Dental since 2008. Brenda has a special interest in serving the dental needs of young children and has developed techniques to create a positive experience for all personalities, ages, and degrees of anxiety. Brenda occupies her free time travelling, training for marathons, painting, and being a mother to four children, two of which attend the University of Saskatchewan.
Dental Therapists
Dental Therapists are specifically trained to meet the basic preventative and restorative dental needs of children and adults alike.
For our younger patients, one of the primary focuses of training is to interpret the child’s level of dental anxiety and to develop a method of delivering dental care in the most positive individual way possible. Each child is given the opportunity to be as involved as possible in the dental process through a show and tell approach. This method is used to alleviate fear of the unknown, to build confidence, to open avenues for discussion between the child and dental therapist and to ensure a positive and rewarding dental experience.
Dental Hygienist
Dental Hygienists are registered oral health care professionals whose primary focus is to educate our patients about oral health and to take care of mouths, teeth and gums. At Kenderdine Dental we are proud to promote and provide individualized treatment dependent on the needs of our clients.
Besides the familiar preventative care (removal of deposits on the teeth and below the gum), Dental Hygienists are educated to provide a variety of treatments from oral cancer screening, dietary consultations to helping you chose the right over the counter products to use.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your oral health or would like a routine cleaning, please make an appointment and we would be more than happy to help you.
Please call our office and set up an appointment today!
