This practice has been looked after by the same small group of people for more than fifty years. Dr. Ash Kler has cared for its patients for years and continues to do so today. Dr. John Armstrong and Dr. Margaret Sutherland, who built the practice into what it is, have since retired, and their story remains part of it.
Dr. Ash Kler
Dr. Kler graduated from the University of Alberta in 1991 and practiced dentistry in Vancouver for 29 years before relocating to Kamloops with his wife, Shannon, drawn by the outdoors and the warmth of a smaller community. He joined Blue Bird Dental in 2021 and has looked after the practice and its patients since Dr. Armstrong and Dr. Sutherland retired, welcoming their long-standing patients as his own. He leads the practice's investment in modern technology, from same-day CEREC crowns to laser dentistry. Patients appreciate his calm manner, clear communication and attention to comfort.
With four grown children out of the nest, Dr. Kler spends his time away from the office golfing, trying out new recipes, and exploring the Kamloops trails with his dog, Murphy.
With Gratitude: The Dentists Who Built This Practice
Dr. John Armstrong and Dr. Margaret Sutherland had both retired by 2023. They remain on this page because a great many Kamloops families were looked after by them for decades, because the practice they built is the practice we run today, and because Dr. Kler counts them as friends as well as former colleagues.
Dr. John Armstrong (retired)
Dr. Armstrong graduated from UBC's Faculty of Dentistry in 1990 and was the second generation of the family that founded this practice in 1967. He and his wife, Lori, raised their daughter and son, both engineering graduates, right here in Kamloops.
Away from the office, Dr. Armstrong could usually be found cycling local roads and trails, skiing Sun Peaks, or lacing up his hiking boots. Once a year, neighbours might spot him on a ladder cleaning out his bluebird boxes — the tradition that gave this practice its name, and the detail patients remember most.
Dr. Margaret Sutherland (retired)
Dr. Sutherland graduated from UBC's School of Dentistry in 1988. After practising in Manitoba and Ontario, she returned home in 1993 to raise her family and join the family practice alongside her brother, Dr. Armstrong. She and her husband, Hugh, raised their children in Kamloops.
Asked what she enjoyed most about dentistry, her answer came quickly: her patients and her team, and keeping smiles healthy and functional as well as good looking. It is a fair summary of how this practice still works.
A Note for Their Patients
If Dr. Armstrong or Dr. Sutherland was your dentist, your records are here and you are still very much a patient of this practice. Dr. Kler has looked after their patients since 2023 and knows the histories. Nothing about your care needs to start over.
Supported by an Exceptional Team
Behind our doctors is a team of registered dental hygienists, certified dental assistants, and front-office coordinators, many of whom have been with the practice for years. From gentle cleanings to direct insurance billing, it shows in how smoothly your visit runs.
Ready to meet us in person? Request an appointment Contact Us
Questions, or ready to book? Call (250) 372-2326 or request an appointment online.