About Us
Our family friendly dental clinic opened in 2013 and is happy to serve the residents of the Nicola Valley and surrounding areas. We place patient comfort as our top priority. Our awesome team of professionals are pleased to incorporate modern care and technology into our practice to ensure you receive the best care available/possible. Emergency drop-in appointments available. New patients are always welcome.
delivering an enhanced
dental care experience
Our Vision
“At Stoyoma Dental Clinic, our vision is to create a community where every smile reflects optimal health, confidence, and well-being. We are dedicated to providing exceptional dental care through cutting-edge technology, compassionate service, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Our goal is to empower our patients with the knowledge and care they need to achieve and maintain lifelong oral health, ensuring that every visit leaves them smiling brighter.”
Our Team
We have a professional and ethical obligation to provide safe, competent, and appropriate care to all patients without prejudice or discrimination. We have incorporated a trauma-informed care (TIC) approach in our practice. It is not necessary to know the details of past trauma that has occurred, but rather to provide care that does not inadvertently retraumatize a patient. This includes a focus on cultural safety and humility along with gender diversity and inclusion.
Dr. Aaron Decker
Dr. Aaron Decker was born and raised in Langley, B.C. After completing high school, he commenced his university studies with the eventual goal of becoming a dentist. He graduated from UBCO in Kelowna in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science Degree composed of a major in Biology and a minor in Economics. After a brief break in his studies, he attended dental school in Australia, where he graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2024. Dr. Decker stays current in the rapidly advancing world of dentistry by attending continuing education events throughout the year. He maintains a calm persona and is dedicated to his patients’ needs. Dr. Decker strives to exceed his patients’ expectations and ensures their treatment is exemplary. Dr. Decker is an avid antique vehicle collector and restorer; a passion he acquired from his late maternal grandfather. In his spare time, he can be found tinkering on various vehicles within his heirloom collection, partaking in rallies, or attending other automotive events across North America. Dr. Decker stays active during the winter months by downhill skiing at local mountains, and during the summer months, swimming and partaking in various watersport activities.
Dr. Tejas Patel, BDS, NDEB Certified, BCCOHP Licensed
Dr. Bruce Prokopetz was born in Armstrong, BC. While growing up he gained a valuable background in farming, forestry, and logging. He eventually pursued a career in Dentistry. He graduated from Loma Linda University in Southern California in 1986. Because of his “down-to-earth” nature, he prefers to be called “Dr. Bruce”. He has practiced in Terrace, Kelowna, Sicamous, and now Merritt, BC. His patients find that his varied background makes him easy to talk to. He is committed to providing exceptional care to his patients meeting each patient’s individual needs, and many people discover that he exceeds their expectations. In his spare time, he enjoys going to third-world countries and providing emergency dental services to people who do not have access to dental care. Dr. Bruce thrives on the need to keep current in our ever-changing world of technology.
Lisa Gardiner (Hygienist)
When asked, Lisa states she is from “all over”. Her Dad was RCMP. She was born in Ontario and then moved throughout BC from the North to the South. Merritt is where she calls home. Lisa graduated as a CDA in 2004. In 2009 she enrolled in Vancouver Community College’s dental hygiene bridging program where she graduated in 2012. At Stoyoma Dental she is familiar to many as she started when they opened in 2013. Lisa’s favorite part of dentistry is helping people keep their smiles. She is proud to be a provider for the community program – Children’s Oral Health Initiative also known as COHI through the First Nations Health Authority. This work is with Lower and Upper Nicola Indian Bands providing oral health education, fluoride varnishes, and dental caries screenings. Lisa has many passions. She has traveled to Spain, Costa Rica, Bali and Italy. She enjoys curling, swimming, kayaking, hiking and golfing. She hopes to learn a new language and get her scuba diving certification. She always looks forward to seeing all your smiles.
Cindy Lawrence (Hygienist)
Cindy has been in the dental field for over 35 years. She graduated as a CDA in 1990 from the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC. She continued her education and gained her Orthodontic Module in 1992 from UBC. In 1993 she moved to Yellowknife and worked as CDA/DH. In 1999 she moved to Windsor, Ontario for the St. Clair College Dental Hygiene program where she graduated in 2000. In 2004 Cindy returned to her hometown of Merritt, BC. She continues to enjoy her career choices. In her spare time, Cindy enjoys puttering around her acreage. She is an active member of the Merritt Tennis Club and likes watching sports and comedy shows.
Deanna Palmgren (Manager)
Deanna was born and raised in Williams Lake, BC. She started working at Cariboo Dental Clinic with Dr. Alistair Menzies as an after-school filing clerk in 1982. After graduating high school, she continued at the office training in chairside assisting, sterilization, reception and then administration. Over the past 40+ years she has worked in clinics for Dentists, Chiropractors and Medical Doctors. Deanna moved to Merritt in 2016 following her husband’s career advancements. She began distance learning with UBC Sauder Business School and became a licensed property manager. In the summer of 2023, she joined the team at Stoyoma Dental Clinic continuing her administrative career. In her spare time, she enjoys camping and cruising and visiting her family and friends in Williams Lake.
Marlene Allgrove (CDA)
Marlene graduated from the College of New Caledonia in Prince George as a CDA in 1990. In her 35 years of experience Marlene has gained a vast knowledge of dentistry. She has certifications in Prosthodontics (crown & bridge) and Orthodontics (braces). Marlene started with Stoyoma Dental in 2013 shortly after we opened. She enjoys her work in the dental profession and wants to continue for a long time yet. In her spare time Marlene is an active sports enthusiast. She has competed provincially, regionally and nationally in martial arts, fencing, curling and dog agility. She still enjoys curling and has also taken up golfing. Her best times are spent at dog agility with her Jack Russel Terriers, Sprocket and Dot.
Ivy Smith (Chairside Assistant)
Ivy was born and raised in the Nicola Valley. She is a Merritt Secondary School and Nicola Valley Institute of Technology graduate. Ivy joined the dental team at Stoyoma in October 2022 as a Sterilization Technician. As her skills progressed, she moved on to becoming a chairside assistant. Ivy enjoys her work and continuously develops her dental skills working toward being a future Hygienist. She enjoys seeing the smiles in the clinic. Outside work nature and her family give her joy.
Cheyenne Richter (Receptionist)
Vansh Patel (Chairside Assistant)
Matthew Garrison (Chairside Assistant)
Shellie Ware (Receptionist)
Shellie grew up in the Nicola Valley. She graduated from Merritt Secondary School and then Certified as a Medical Office Assistant through Cariboo College in Kamloops. She moved to the Fraser Valley and worked in medical practices for almost 3 decades. Merritt called her home in 2018, and she worked for Dr. Simon until he closed his practice in the spring of 2025. Shellie started as receptionist in May 2026. She is enjoying learning everything dental likes the friendly faces that come into the bright beautiful office. Shellie would like to thank the Team at Stoyoma for their time, patience, and expertise during training. In her time off she enjoys landscaping, gardening, and reading. She volunteers when she can at Nicola Valley Animal Rescue.
Business
- Electronic insurance billing (we accept all insurance plans inclusive of First Nations Health Authority, Ministry, and the Canadian Dental Care
- Automatic appointment confirmation via: text and/or email