Support Sapperton’s Need for a Dental Clinic:
123Dentist and Premiere are seeking a rezoning amendment to allow a Dental Clinic to operate at 408 East Columbia Street. The current zoning only allows for one medical or dental operator at grade, and the building has a medical pharmacy/clinic. There are no dental/oral care operators within the 400 block of East Columbia Street and the proposed operator, 123Dentist, has a nearby location that is at full capacity, forcing them to turn away new patient requests on a daily basis. We are asking the City of New Westminster to allow 123Dentist to operate in Sapperton and seek the support of residents and businesses to convince Council the need is legitimate.
Increased Demand for Dental Clinics
123Dentist operates dental clinics in parts of Greater Vancouver, including a clinic in the Sapperton area, located at 293 Nelsons Ct (New West Smile). This clinic is open 6 days a week including evenings and weekends and currently operates at maximum capacity. Due to the recent implementation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan for low-income Canadians without private oral health or dental insurance, New West Smile is unable to meet the current demands of the Sapperton community, making it difficult for their existing patients to get appointment times.
“We partner with Dentists to help them grow their practice by allowing them to focus more on the things they love, like making patients smile – and when patients smile, everyone smiles.”
Karim Shivji
Vice President, Leasing
Retail Diversity along East Columbia Street
The subject site is located within the 400 block of East Columbia Street. This stretch of retail businesses currently includes 17 food and beverage operators, 12 product retailers and 24 service providers including childcare, acupuncture, physio, chiropractic, hairstyling, nails, esthetics, dermatology, martial arts and animal care – it does NOT include any dental services. A diverse mix of businesses is essential to sustaining the local East Columbia Street economy and providing the community with a range of retail and service-based options that reduce reliance on vehicles and increases foot traffic throughout the area.
Community- Focused Care
At 123Dentist, we believe in creating strong ties with the neighborhoods we serve. Our clinics host 2-3 community-focused events annually, such as Little Smiles Day or Patient Appreciation Events. These gatherings are designed to bring people together, celebrate oral health, and foster a sense of belonging. By hosting such events, we contribute to the cultural fabric of the area, support local engagement, and demonstrate our commitment to caring for the community beyond dental care.
Having a clinic like ours in Sapperton adds value to the neighborhood by promoting wellness, connection, and vibrancy— values that align with the vision for East Columbia Street.
Enhancing Street Front Animation
123Dentist in Sapperton will feature a high- resolution revolving digital display that can promote local and popular artist’s work and advertise local community events. This visual art medium benefits the surrounding businesses by encouraging pedestrian traffic, fosters a sense of community and supports local engagement, further integrating the store into the fabric of the Sapperton and East Columbia Street neighborhood.
