Dr. Hans Herchen steps into the presidency of the Alberta Dental Association (ADA) in 2025 prepared and with a clear vision. As the Association’s third president, Dr. Herchen brings decades of clinical and business leadership experience to the role—experience that has prepared him to guide Alberta’s nearly 3,000 dentists through both challenges and opportunities ahead.
“Progress doesn’t happen by accident,” he says. “It takes work, planning, and follow-through. It’s also about getting Alberta dentists excited about who we are and being an active part of the journey of where dentistry is headed.”
Raised in the hamlet of Evansburg, Alberta, and later Spruce Grove, Herchen grew up in a community where his family’s veterinary clinic was an early introduction to the complexities of professional clinical practice.
“In a small town, everyone knows everybody, so transparency and visibility were the norm,” he recalls.
Moving forward with purpose
Herchen became a dentist rather suddenly; he decided to enroll after being suggested to him by a then-first-year student. To his surprise, he discovered that he loved being a dentist, and it ignited a level of passion for the industry and career that is exciting to watch. Accepted into the University of Alberta’s dental program at 19, he completed his degree by the age of 23. To fund his education, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces Dental Officer Training Program (DOTP), which added a pivotal layer to his professional development.
“Most people think of it as just a way to pay for school, but for me, it really helped with leadership training, organizational structure, and making expectations clear,” says Dr. Herchen. “Any person who has graduated from military Basic Training is forever impacted by the rigorous nature of the training. It accelerates the growth path of a young person tremendously.”
After graduating in 1989, Dr. Herchen opened his first dental clinic the following year.
“We didn’t have a big marketing plan—just a bold Yellow Pages listing and a focus on respecting patients, understanding their needs and wants, and acting on them,” he recalls. In fact, in those days, effectively zero marketing was allowed. Word of mouth was really the only practice builder. That simple but effective approach laid the foundation for Dental Choice, the company he founded in 1997.
Over the next two decades, the practice expanded across western Canada, but for Herchen, growth was never just about numbers.
Early on, he saw firsthand how dental office ownership was a 24/7 job, with far more hours than the public perceived. “Most dentists didn’t sign up to manage leases, payroll, HR, and operations. They went into dentistry to care for patients,” he explains. “We wanted to build a system that let dentists focus on what matters most—delivering legendary care without being bogged down by the business side.”
That vision turned Dental Choice into one of the region’s most successful dental groups, all while keeping patient care at its core.
Setting a clear course
Now at the helm of the ADA, Dr. Herchen brings that same practical, solutions-oriented mindset to the broader challenges facing Alberta’s dental community. Rising operational costs, aggressive regulations, and workforce shortages are top concerns—but Dr. Herchen isn’t daunted. “We’ve got work to do,” he says plainly. “My role is about setting a clear course, solving problems, and ensuring Alberta dentists see that their Association is fighting hard for them and has their back.”
His leadership approach emphasizes collaboration but doesn’t shy away from tough discussions.
“Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about listening, understanding the issues, and then taking action,” he states. “This position isn’t about top-down directives either. It’s about bringing government and members to the table and working towards realistic solutions that benefit both dentists and patients.”
Dr. Herchen also believes that the ADA’s effectiveness hinges on member engagement.
Dentistry is evolving. The question is:
do we lead that change, or do we let it happen to us?
“Change and improvement isn’t a spectator sport,” he says. “We’re stronger when everyone contributes. The record turnout in our recent elections proves that Alberta’s dentists are ready to shape what’s next—and I’m here to help channel that energy into real progress and to make sure that members are getting the most value from their association dues.”
Lead with purpose, act with integrity
For Dr. Herchen, leadership also means preparing the profession for the challenges of tomorrow.
“Dentistry is evolving, whether we’re ready or not. The question is: do we lead that change, or do we let it happen to us?” he asks. His answer is clear, “lead with purpose, act with integrity, and always keep patient care at the heart of the profession.”
“This isn’t about chasing every goal at once,” Dr. Herchen adds. “It’s about picking the right priorities and getting them done well. My goal is simple: to leave the ADA stronger, more united, and better prepared for the future than when I started.”
This article originally appears in the January-April 2025 issue of the ADA Connection magazine.