UFV alumni award honours Mission dentist’s community service

He extends his healthcare work to professional sports as an in-game dentist for the Abbotsford Canucks, collaborating with other healthcare professionals to support players throughout the season.

Wiens earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at UFV before attending dental school at the University of Sydney in Australia. During the pandemic, he used his background in fine arts to develop digital teaching materials for dental students and helped write and produce the university’s clinical handbook in restorative dentistry.

Dr. Maria Tran, one of his professors, praised his ability to translate complex clinical procedures into practical guidance and develop multimedia resources for clinical education.

Back in Mission, Wiens practises at Heritage Dental Centre, where he continues to pursue advanced training in oral surgery and orthodontics. He also participates in a free dental emergency on-call program providing 24-hour access to a dentist, often for people without regular access to care.

Dr. Diana Germain, who supported his award nomination, said Wiens has earned the trust of families through his calm approach and commitment to helping patients understand their oral health and treatment options.

Wiens credits UFV with teaching him to think critically, communicate clearly and approach challenges from different perspectives.

His advice to new university students is to explore their interests and build relationships with people who support their success.

“Your life is going to ebb and flow,” he says. “Taking those extra few years to explore through education and meet people is well worth the time and effort.”

by Fraser Valley Today staff

UFV alumni award honours Mission dentist’s community service

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