Remembering Mbachan Collins Okwen, DDS, MBA, MSD
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mbachan Collins Okwen, DDS, MBA, MSD, endodontist, educator, and leader, who died on January 21, 2026, in Conroe, Texas. A former Board member of the AAE (District V Director), Dr. Okwen was known for his contributions to endodontic education in Africa, his deep commitment to patient care, and his unwavering spirit of service that touched many lives across continents.
Dr. Okwen was born on June 29, 1972, in Bamenda, Northwest Region of Cameroon. From an early age, he demonstrated a blend of intellect, humility, creativity, and compassion for others.
He began his primary education at G.S. Batibo, laying the academic foundation that would define his life. He later attended the prestigious Sacred Heart College Mankon, where he excelled and obtained both his Ordinary and Advanced Level certificates. Even in his youth, he stood out—not only for his intelligence, but for his discipline, curiosity, and emerging leadership qualities.
He went on to pursue dentistry at the University of Benin, Nigeria, where he earned a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and a Doctor of Dental Surgery. His commitment to excellence was evident in his studies and in his dedication to mastering his profession.
Driven by a desire to expand his knowledge and global opportunities, Dr. Okwen later moved to the United States, where he earned a Master of Business Administration, MBA, further demonstrating his remarkable intellectual range and versatility. Yet dentistry remained his calling.
In 2014, eager to return fully to dentistry and elevate his specialty training, he was accepted into a preceptorship at UT Health Houston. He pursued graduate training in endodontics while simultaneously carrying a bold vision: to initiate and develop a formal endodontic training program in Africa. He completed his graduate endodontic training at UT Health Houston in 2016, earning his Master of Science in Dentistry, MSD.
During his preceptorship, Dr. Okwen purchased used microscopes and endodontic instruments from the university at auction and transported them to Nigeria. With these tools, he helped establish the first endodontic training program in western central Africa at the University of Benin. His mission was clear and uncompromising.
“The goal was to get them to do exactly what we do here and nothing less,” he had said. “Of course, there’s always tons of patients…”
He later became a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and served as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Endodontics, mentoring the next generation of specialists.
Dr. Okwen founded 1488 Dental in The Woodlands, Texas, where he served the greater Houston community with exceptional dedication. His patients were not merely clients; they were family. Known for his availability and commitment, he devoted himself fully to his craft.
His leadership extended to the AAE, where he served on the Board of Directors from 2022 to 2025. He also served on the AAE Nominating Committee and was actively involved with the AAE Foundation for Endodontics, championing mentorship and professional responsibility.
His commitment to giving back was further reflected in the founding of the Ralph Okwen Foundation, a family trust established to support excellence in science at Sacred Heart College Mankon, Bamenda, and to expand access to high-quality endodontic care in Africa, relieve suffering, and inspire others to give back so that people everywhere could experience the joy of being free from dental pain.
Beyond dentistry, Dr. Okwen was a musician. He also held certifications in Cisco networking and server maintenance and maintained a strong interest in artificial intelligence, particularly systems that could empower Africa. Developing children’s stories was another passion he carried.
“During my many conversations with him over the two years I served as his District Co-Director, it became abundantly clear that he was an exceptionally devoted father,” said AAE Treasurer Dr. Brad Gettleman. “I truly cannot recall a single conversation that did not, at some point, circle back to his children, whom he loved more than anything in the world.”
Dr. Okwen was known to be humble, generous, and deeply grounded. He believed material possessions were tools for meaningful impact. He confronted challenges directly and pursued excellence relentlessly. He will be missed.
Further reading: Learn more about Dr. Okwen’s incredible passion for endodontics in this Foundation for Endodontics article.