For Evan Wiens, dentistry goes beyond perfecting smiles — it’s about giving back through mentorship and community service.

A 2006 graduate of UFV’s Bachelor of Science program and recipient of the 2013 Young Distinguished Alumni Award, Evan balances his dentistry practice, leadership roles in dental organizations, and his family of four.

As president of the Thompson Okanagan Dental Society, Evan oversees BC’s second-largest annual dental conference. Evan also serves on the editorial board of The Bridge, the BC Dental Association’s quarterly magazine, publishing topical articles on issues in the world of dentistry.

As his practice Okanagan Dentistry continues to grow, so does Evan’s reputation in healthcare, earning him fellowships from the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the American College of Dentists.

“It’s quite a privilege because you have to be nominated by your peers,” he says. “So that was a big compliment.”

Evan’s commitment to altruism — first demonstrated back in 2013 when he offered free dental care to underserved communities — now extends to education.

After completing dental school at UBC, Evan began volunteering with the UBC Dentistry Summer Student Practitioner program, mentoring fourth-year students in his practice to provide real-world healthcare experience. Evan’s last two practicum students were also long-time patients of his.

In addition, Evan mentors at the Kois Center in Seattle, Washington. The Kois Center is a post-graduate program dedicated to excellence in dentistry and cutting-edge comprehensive care.

Evan credits UFV’s small class sizes as one of the features that made his time here so valuable.

“I’m glad I stayed at a smaller school because I think it provided a much better-quality education. You know your professors and can ask more direct questions. It’s much more personal — I was able to go knock on my instructor’s door.”

Fatherhood has taught Evan lessons that enhance his daily interactions with patients and staff. “Kids are a real mirror into your own personality,” he reflects. “It teaches you about yourself. They repeat what you say, and they act like you, and I think that’s made me a better communicator with my patients and staff. Once you have a couple of kids and you figure out how to get through to them, it gets easier to get through to your patients who are that age.”

Evan encourages UFV students to value all learning, noting that even seemingly minor lessons can prove relevant later in your career.

Looking ahead, Evan and his business partner plan another volunteer trip to support a marginalized BC community.

“People go all over the world to help other people. But even right where we live, there’s a lot of need,” Evan explains. “I’m drawn to making a difference. I think the reward is so great.”