Dr. Tara Kean, BSc, DDS, GPR
Trusted experience. Genuine care. Rooted in community.
For nearly twenty years, Dr. Tara Kean has provided exceptional dental care to families. Known for her gentle, patient-centered approach and calm, reassuring presence, she’s built her reputation on a simple belief: dentistry should feel personal, not procedural.
Raised on Hornby Island, Dr. Kean has always combined intellectual curiosity with a genuine desire to help people. After earning her Bachelor of Science from the University of Victoria, she completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery at Dalhousie University, where she graduated near the top of her class and received the Dr. Mary Foley Memorial Prize for Professional and Compassionate Patient Care.
Her training continued with a General Practice Residency at the University of British Columbia, gaining hospital-based experience at Vancouver General Hospital, the BC Cancer Agency, and UBC Specialty Clinics. There she provided care for medically complex patients and expanded her expertise in oral oncology, trauma management, IV sedation, geriatrics, and special-needs dentistry.
Global perspective, local heart
Dr. Kean’s education included surgical rotations at Harvard University and Columbia University, and volunteer dentistry in Tanzania, where she worked with outreach programs for at-risk young women. These global experiences shaped her compassionate, inclusive philosophy of care, one that values understanding, patience, and genuine connection as much as clinical excellence.
Before returning home to the Island, she spent seven years practicing in Yellowknife, providing comprehensive care in a region with limited access to specialists. This experience honed her skills in restorative, pediatric, and surgical dentistry, and reinforced her belief that great dentistry begins with relationships built on trust.
A commitment to Campbell River families
Since 2016, Dr. Kean has been proud to serve as a local family dentist, helping patients of all ages feel comfortable and cared for. Whether guiding a child through their first dental visit or restoring a patient’s confidence with a smile they can be proud of, she approaches every case with compassion and integrity.
Her calm nature makes even the most anxious patients feel at ease. Many families have grown up with Dr. Kean as their trusted dentist, and she considers those long-term relationships the most rewarding part of her work.
Beyond the clinic
When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll find Dr. Kean cheering for her kids at the soccer field, ice rink, or dance studio, or enjoying the outdoors — boating, camping, fishing, or exploring local trails. As an active member of the Campbell River community, she’s proud to support local initiatives and events that strengthen the place she calls home.
