Our Dentists

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Practice focus: Periodontics

Dr. Wintermute, a Certified Specialist in Periodontics, is the practice owner and provides full-scope periodontics and surgical implant therapy.

Dr. Wintermute prioritizes respect and empowerment of patients, by providing caring treatment based on up-to-date scientific evidence. As a graduate of the University of British Columbia’s combined program of Master of Science Degree in Craniofacial Science and Diploma in Periodontics,  she now teaches at UBC Dentistry as a part-time Clinical Assistant Professor. Prior to specializing in Periodontics, she obtained her dental degree at Dalhousie in Halifax, NS, then worked as a general dentist for five years in the Calgary, AB, area. 

In her time outside of practice, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and trying new recipes, and hiking with her husband and puppy.

Qualifications:

• Master of Science and Diploma in Periodontics, 2022; Vancouver, British Columbia; University of British Columbia. 
• Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, 2022; Ottawa, Ontario; Royal College of Dentists of Canada.
• Doctor of Dental Surgery, 2014; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Dalhousie University.

Practice focus: Oral Surgery

Dr. Gumplinger was born and raised in Germany. She received her dental degree (BDS) from Friedrich Schiller University (FSU) in Jena. Following her graduate training at FSU, for which she was awarded a doctoral degree “Doctor Medicine Dentariae” (Ph. D.) with summa cum laude, she came to the University of British Columbia (UBC) Faculty of Dentistry with a prestigious six month fellowship from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to do post-doctoral research. She then returned to Germany and took up a 3 year hospital residency in Oral Surgery at FSU’s hospital for Oral-Maxillofacial and Plastic Surgery. During her oral surgery training she received extensive experience in dental implants, wisdom tooth extractions, head and neck cancer, facial trauma, corrective jaw surgery and plastic surgery procedures. She has authored and co-authored several scientific publications and has lectured both locally and internationally.

Dr. Gumplinger moved to Vancouver and returned to dental school for two years to complete her Canadian dental degree Dental Medical Doctor (DMD) at UBC in 2003. Upon completion she entered private practice and is limiting her scope of practice to Oral Surgery. In addition to private practice, she is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry at UBC and teaches implantology.

Dr. Gumplinger and her husband are avid outdoors experts and enjoy mountain climbing, ski mountaineering, nordic skiing, ocean kayaking and surf skiing. She is also a private pilot and volunteers her pilot skills to Angel Flights of BC.

 Practice Focus: Periodontics

Dr. Marissa Garcia is a board-certified periodontist who graduated from UBC after moving from Lima, Peru, 24 years ago.

She served as the Director of the undergraduate Periodontics program at UBC for 15 years, and in recognition of her teaching, she earned the prestigious W.W. Award in 2014 for excellence in education and was twice awarded the American Academy of Periodontology Educator Award (2008 and 2015).

Dr. Garcia is now fully dedicated to private practice, and as a clinician, she believes that it is very important to educate the patient as well as listen to their needs and provide support and reassurance during the period of periodontal treatment.

In between juggling being a mother of two teenagers and working in private practice, she enjoys running and reading novels in Spanish, her native language.