Dr. Alison Sigal

Dr. Alison Sigal has always been a woman that "leads from the heart" and that comes across in both her personal and professional life. It is this care and devotion that has fueled her passion for caring for children and persons with special needs.

Her journey to founding Little Bird has been memorable, sprinkled with anatomy and physiology, research, teaching, varsity athletics, volunteerism, and a desire to constantly learn, evolve and provide the highest standard of health care.

In 2006, Dr. Sigal realized her career calling while studying Kinesiology at McMaster University. During this time, she conducted a unique research study and became aware of the lack of access to oral health care issues that faced persons with special needs.

Dr. Sigal went on to graduate from the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry in both its Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Program, and its post-graduate Masters of Science Specialty Program in Pediatric Dentistry (MSc-Ped Dent). In between degrees, she completed a hospital-based residency at Mount Sinai Hospital (Toronto).

Awards & Recognition

She continues to devote herself to volunteerism and is an active educator and lecturer, invited as keynote speaker to international meetings and symposiums on pediatric airway centric health care and oral health care for persons with special needs.

Leader in Pediatric Airway Centric Health Care

Dr. Sigal's background as a Kinesiologist and love for anatomy and physiology has been at the forefront of her airway centric care. She has dedicated her practice to creating novel comprehensive airway assessment tools, surgical techniques for tongue and lip ties, and myofunctional protocols including Buteyko breathing.

Dr. Sigal developed her clinic's medical record software, featuring the largest on-going airway centric patient database globally to date with continual research integration, treatment evaluation, and evolution. Her career goal is for the provision of airway centric pediatric assessment and treatment to become standardized with universal protocols.

Oral Health, Total Health (OHTH)

Between 2008-2020, Dr. Sigal founded and led a Federal Non-Profit Organization called Oral Health, Total Health (OHTH; www.ohth.ca), dedicated to advocating, educating, and improving access to oral health care for persons with special needs. Leading chapters across Canada at all English-speaking faculties of dentistry and public dental hygiene colleges.

Moose Factory — Bright Eyes, Big Hearts

Throughout her residencies, Dr. Sigal became part of the Weeneebayko General Hospital team, traveling to Moose Factory on a monthly basis providing pediatric dental care for Northern communities. Many aspects of the practice, including the bird soaring in the Little Bird logo, were inspired by memories from Moose Factory.

Personal

Dr. Sigal loves spending time with her husband Brian, daughter Everest, son Simcoe, family and friends. She lives an active lifestyle including trail running, windsurfing, and all outdoor winter sports.

"Spread Kindness. Spread Love. Spread Your Wings."

— Dr. Sigal