The dental services sector in Virden continues to grow with the arrival of Dr. Raid Wahab who has purchased the long-established practice of Dr. Don Whitby on Nelson St.
Dr. Wahab, his wife Dr. Abdul (a family physician) and their two young children (five and six) plan to make Virden their home in September. That’s when she starts practicing at the Virden Medical Centre.
In the meantime, Dr. Wahab is already busy establishing his practice here, which he has renamed Virden Dental Clinic. He comes to Virden from his current practice in Brandon every Monday to see patients but will increase his time here as Dr. Whitby decreases his work days.
Libya to Virden
Dr. Wahab and his wife were both born and raised in Libya and speak Arabic and English. They moved to Toronto about a decade ago where he took his dental training.
Since then, his career has taken an unusual trajectory, drawing him to progressively smaller and smaller communities. After leaving Toronto, the family moved to Winnipeg for a year, then to Brandon for two years, and now to Virden.
Small-town living was a strong attraction.
“I grew up in a small town (in Libya), so it’s not a big deal for me. If the people are friendly and it’s a safe environment, that’s what is important… I’m sick of moving!”
Although they only stayed in Brandon a couple of years, the family made connections with the city’s relatively small Libyan community, connections they hope to maintain.
“Brandon is not too far away and we have 15 Libyan families there. We usually meet once a week, sometimes to do cultural things, so we can drive in for that.
“In Toronto, it took me 40 minutes to drive just 20 kms. The time to Brandon will be about the same.”
Denturist
In related news, Virden’s new denturist will soon be working once a week out of Prairie Life Dental until his building is ready to occupy.
Legacy Denture Clinic purchased the former Meyers Norris Penny building last summer but owner Sahba Zehtab says it’s a long way from being ready to move in.
As a result, he’ll be serving his Virden patients at Prairie Life Dental’s brand new offices downtown at the corner of Seventh Ave. S. and Wellington St. W. every Wednesday starting June 5.
Related story: https://www.empireadvance.ca/news/local-news/brandon-denturist-expands-into-virden-1.23335080
