Meet Dr. Joel Fransen, BSc (OT), DMD, FRCD(C). 

The Royal College of Dentists of Canada recognises Dr. Joel Fransen as a certified specialist in endodontics; he is registered to practice in both the Province of British Columbia and the Yukon Territory. His academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BScOT) from the University of British Columbia, a Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the University of British Columbia, and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Endodontics (cert Endo) from the Baylor School of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center. In 1993, Dr. Fransen participated in a dental student exchange program between the University of British Columbia and the Nippon Dental University in Tokyo and Niigata.

During the first six years of his professional career Dr. Fransen was the primary general dentist in a practice in Port Alberni, British Columbia. He was then an associate dentist in Kelowna, B.C. for a year prior to pursuing advanced specialty training in endodontics at the Baylor School of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. At the 2006 American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Annual Session in Honolulu, Hawaii Dr. Fransen presented original research regarding root canal obturation material. Later that same year, he made presentations about advances in endodontics to general dentists in both Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Columbus, Ohio. In 2008, Dr. Fransen presented information about advances in endodontics to general dentists in Seattle, Washington. Over the years, he has also made a number of presentations to general dentists and certified dental assistants in British Columbia.

In 2011, Dr. Fransen became the first recognised endodontist in the Yukon Territory. He travels there every other month to provide advanced endodontic care to residents of the territory and northern British Columbia. As of February 2012, Dr. Fransen travels to Fort Saint John in Northeast British Columbia to provide specialty endodontic care.

Dr. Fransen practices the full scope of modern endodontics including differential diagnosis, revascularisation and vital pulp therapy, non-surgical treatment and re-treatment, and endodontic microsurgery. He is one of only a handful of endodontists in North America that has pursued advanced training in implant dentistry. He currently participates in two implant study clubs.