EDMONTON, Alberta, Feb. 2, 2026 — Dr. Carol Martin, a longtime Beaverlodge dentist, has been named the new President of the Alberta Dental Association, succeeding Dr. Hans Herchen, whose one-year term ended on January 31.
“It’s an honour to represent Alberta’s dentists and the patients we serve,” said Dr. Martin. “While this is a young association, our profession has a long history and a bright future in this province. I look forward to both telling our story and helping write the next chapter.”
Dr. Martin’s career has focused on rural and remote dentistry. During her hospital residency, she delivered care in an Indigenous community using portable equipment. She later established solo practices in northern Alberta, where access to oral healthcare was limited.
Since moving to Alberta in the early 1980s, Dr. Martin has served communities in Manning and has operated a dental office in Beaverlodge since 1990. Her practice serves multiple generations of local families and patients from surrounding areas.
“Rural dentistry is about more than treatment. It’s about trust, continuity, and showing up for your neighbours,” Dr. Martin said. “I’ve seen first-hand how much it matters when patients can get care close to home and when oral health is treated as part of overall wellness.”
As President, Dr. Martin plans to support Alberta dentists by reducing administrative burdens so teams can spend more time with patients. She will focus on improving access to public dental programs, advancing oral health education, and strengthening the dental workforce pipeline to help practices recruit and retain staff.