Remembering Dentistry Leaders Dr. Frank Hohn Dr. Frank Hohn of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, passed away on July 27, 2025, at age 63. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised in Camrose, Dr. Hohn pursued his dental education at the University of Alberta (U of A), earning his DDS degree before completing a general practice residency at U of A. He did his specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago. In 1992, Dr. Hohn established a surgical practice in Saskatoon, where he remained for the duration of his career, expanding the practice into one of the province’s leading centres for surgical care and professional collaboration. Dr. Hohn was committed to advancing oral and maxillofacial surgery, with a clinical focus on the treatment of dentofacial deformities and the integration of dental implants into comprehensive patient care. Dr. Kabir Virdi, who met Dr. Hohn during his own time at dental school, remembers him for his passion and for the amalgamation of medicine, dentistry and surgery. “Dr. Hohn worked tirelessly to advance the standing of the oral and maxillofacial surgery locally and nationally,” he says. “He would advocate for oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Saskatchewan to be valued as true specialists, garnering the same treatment as our medical colleagues.” Dr. Hohn was widely respected for his surgical expertise and his vision of dentistry’s capacity to improve both function and quality of life. He led the department of dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Saskatoon District Health Board for many years. Thanks to his determination, the capacity of specialists grew drastically to serve patients in that province. Equally notable were Dr. Hohn’s contributions to organized dentistry. He served as president of the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS) and the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS) and was a member of the CDA Board of Directors in 2016–17. Dr. Hohn also served on the National Dental Examination Board of Canada, the Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation, and the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. “Frank was a builder, always working for the benefits of his patients,” says Dr. Mitch Taillon, former CDSS and CDA president. “He never gave up improving, and made a dramatic difference for the most vulnerable people and advocated at the highest level to improve access to care. He went above and beyond for his patients, quietly, not making any fuss, but he always chose to make a difference,” says Dr. Taillon. Dr. Hohn was honoured with Distinguished Service Awards from CAOMS and CDSS. These awards demonstrated the respect he earned from colleagues across the country and his commitment to improving the profession and its regulatory and educational structures. “He was always eager and willing to contribute what he could to further the development of his practice and dentistry as a whole,” says Dr. Perry Kurz, who was a fellow orthodontic resident with Dr. Hohn at the U of A. “He was a contributor, a mentor, and a true professional.” Beyond his professional life, Dr. Hohn was admired for his collegiality, generosity, and capacity to bring people together. He will be remembered as a surgeon, mentor, and leader who contributed to the advancement of dentistry in Canada. 38 | 2025 | Issue 5 Obituaries
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