Meet Dr. Terry Vankka

Dr. Terry Vankka is a certified specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, he is based in Edmonton and is currently fulfilling the role of oral and maxillofacial surgeon for the western region. In addition, he has been actively participating in private practice since joining Kingsway Oral Surgery in November 2000.

Terry, a native of Kamloops, British Columbia, commenced his undergraduate training at the University of British Columbia in 1974. He graduated with honours from the UBC Faculty of Dentistry in 1981 and received awards in both prosthodontics and pediatric dentistry. Upon graduation, he was awarded membership in the OKU Dental Fraternity and recognized by the UBC Dental Alumni Association for his extracurricular work with the Dental Undergraduate Society.

Terry started his career in dentistry as a dental officer with the Canadian Armed Forces in Halifax. In 1984, he left the military and worked as a solo practitioner in Kamloops. He maintained a full scope dental practice with hospital privileges until 1990 when he re-enrolled with the CF. Following postings to Cold Lake, St. Hubert and Belgium (NATO), he began post-graduate residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Texas Medical Center in Houston in 1996. Prior to graduation, he successfully completed the RCDC specialty examinations and was awarded his Fellowship in September 2000.

Since his arrival in Edmonton, Terry has become a member of several professional organizations. In addition to the Alberta Dental Association and College, these include the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, the Alberta Society of Dental Specialists, the Alberta Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the medical staff at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Terry, his lovely wife Anne and their three children have comfortably settled in Edmonton. In conjunction with a busy family life, Terry enjoys curling, golf and downhill skiing.