Evan Wiens, DMD 2012, is co-owner of Okanagan Dentistry and was thrilled to have one of his former patients join him in practice this summer as part of the Summer Student Practitioner Program (SSPP). We connected with Dr. Wiens to learn about his time at UBC Dentistry and what inspired him to get involved with the SSPP.

What are some of your favourite memories of your time at UBC Dentistry?  

I participated in the SSPP which was a great experience! I went to Gabriola Island and got to experience dentistry in a remote island setting, where I learned so much.

I also took part in a Dental Mission Project where several dental and hygiene students went to Penelakut First Nation and helped provide oral health care. I was really inspired by the experience, so I decided to do it again in 2013, leading the volunteer team from UBC Dentistry to the Anaham First Nation near Williams Lake.

Another highlight for me was playing the electric violin in Battle of the Bands. We took it very seriously and managed to beat the Faculty band every year!

This is your second year mentoring UBC students as part of the SSPP. What inspired you to do this and what have you enjoyed most about the experience?

I’ve had so much support throughout my career, and I see the SSPP as a great opportunity to give back. And it’s been such a rewarding journey! My student this year was previously a patient. When I joined my practice 12 years ago, he was just a teenager. It was amazing having him beside me in the clinic this summer doing dentistry.

I think my favourite part of being a mentor is seeing the students’ enthusiasm for everything. Once you’ve been working for a while you can sometimes start taking things for granted. The students have so much excitement and watching them have those light-bulb moments is a great way to bring back some of that enthusiasm in my own practice.

Do you have any advice for current dentistry students?

My number one piece of advice is to enjoy having time to learn. I realized once I started working that I took for granted all the time I had in school to read, research and ask questions.

Another piece of advice is to surround yourself with great mentors, both in school and once you graduate. I don’t know where I’d be today without my mentors, and I’ve also found great success by practicing with other dentists rather than alone.

What does a perfect day off look like for you?

A long bike ride in the morning, followed by breakfast and spending the rest of the day on a boat!