Dedicated Children’s Dentist
Get to Know Dr. Derek Decloux BSc, DMD, MSc Dent Anes (Dentist Anaesthesiologist)
Dr. Decloux has been working in the dental field for over 15 years and at the SmileTown – Guelph location for over five years. His favorite part of being a dentist anaesthesiologist is having the opportunity to interact with so many amazing children and parents every day and work alongside a talented team. He also enjoys being able to provide sleep dentistry to young patients who may not be able to receive treatment while awake. You can learn more about Dr. Decloux’s studies and what inspired him to become a dentist below.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Dentist?
Dr. Decloux vividly remembers how, when he was young, his grandfather, who was a retired dentist, took a keen interest in his oral health. He would check to make sure young Dr. Decloux was properly brushing and flossing his teeth, and he proudly showed him the chairs where his parents sat and the tools he used to clean their teeth. Dr. Decloux looked up to his grandfather immensely, and he was convinced since he was a child that he would become a dentist, too.
Where Did You Study Dentistry?
Dr. Decloux attended the University of Ottawa for his undergraduate studies and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of British Columbia. He also earned his Master of Science and specialty training in dental anaesthesia at the University of Toronto, as well as a second Master of Science in Pharmacology and Toxicology from Michigan State University.
Dr. Decloux practiced dental anaesthesia in offices across Southern Ontario and has served as a staff dental anaesthesiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dentistry in Toronto. He’s also an instructor and Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto. Previously, Dr. Decloux served as a full-time dental officer in the Canadian Armed Forces, and he continues to serve as a reservist.
In his free time, Dr. Decloux is also an active volunteer for the:
- Canadian Academy of Dental Anaesthesia (executive member and Scientific Chair)
- Canadian Dental Specialties Association (Secretary/Treasurer and dental anaesthesia representative)
- American Dental Board of Anesthesiology (Board of Directors)
Dr. Decloux is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the:
- Ontario Dental Society of Anesthesiology (past president)
- Ontario Dental Association
- Canadian Dental Association
- Ontario Dental Society of Anaesthesiology
- Canadian Academy of Dental Anaesthesia
- American Dental Board of Anesthesiology (national examiner)
- Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health
- Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (facility inspector)
Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?
Originally from Dundas, Ontario, Dr. Decloux enjoys going to the driving range with his sons, watching F1 racing with his wife, and taking a mid-day snooze. He loves playing soccer and building Legos with his sons, and you can find him golfing, cooking and entertaining, and coaching soccer and hockey in his free time!