MEMBERSHIP
AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. CHRIS RICHARDSON Dr. Elizabeth Reynolds
Dr. Chris Richardson is a periodontist in Richmond. He is the current president of the American Academy of Periodontology, only the third president from Virginia (one of the others being his former partner Dr. Gary Maynard). Dr. Richardson received his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Mississippi and attended the University of Alabama-Birmingham for dental school, completing his residency at the acclaimed University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio periodontal program. Dr. Richardson and I have known each other for over 20 years, and he took a few minutes out of his busy schedule to sit down with me to talk a bit about his new position.
So, Chris, tell me, why dentistry?
During the summers of my college career, I worked as an operating room surgical assistant. It was an amazing job for an 18 to 22-year-old as I got to assist in general surgery, orthopedics, neurosurgery, plastics and oral maxillofacial surgical care, I really liked the dental surgical aspect and enjoyed the precision of the surgical procedures.
Who were your primary influences?
My parents were big influencers as I spent a lot of time around the hospital growing up. My father was the chaplain at our local hospital and my mother was the office manager for a neurosurgeon. Their connections with many of the physicians and surgeons were influential in my career decision.
You have been involved in organized dentistry from the start. Why? What motivated you to take the time to be so involved?
Dr Jim Mellonig, my Perio Program Director told me, “To whom much is given, much is expected.” I was fortunate
to attend a wonderful dental school and an outstanding periodontal residency program. I think it is tremendously important to give back to dentistry and periodontics through volunteer leadership as they have provided me with such a rewarding career. At each level that I have been involved, locally (Richmond Dental Society), regionally (Southern Academy of Perla), and nationally with the American Academy of Periodontology, I have learned so much from the people I have had the opportunity to work with, and I have tried very hard to be someone my volunteer colleagues can look to for innovative thoughts and ideas.
That certainly speaks to the influence of faculty on the decision to join organized dentistry. I would like to mention here that the VDA is grateful for the support it gets from the VCU School of Dentistry faculty, and we are looking forward to working with our new dean, Dr. Lyndon Cooper! So, you obviously took your perio program director’s words to heart; what do you see as the most important issues facing dentists today, and how do you see organized dentistry (specifically, the ADA) playing a role in supporting our profession in those issues? Certainly, the scope of influence of dental benefits/insurers is always on everyone’s radar, as is our struggle as a professional organization to ensure that we support all practice models, from the traditional solo practices to group practices to DSO style practices. The most important issue in my mind, however, is protecting the reputation that we have in the public’s eye. The cost of a dental education has skyrocketed, and
Dr. Chris Richardson
I see many of our colleagues feeling as though they have to “sell” dentistry to pay their living expenses and loans. Dentists and hygienists don’t need to sell services, they simply need to educate patients on the risks, benefits, and options they have for tooth repair and replacement, management of dental diseases, and cosmetic services. I want dentistry to maintain its excellent reputation as a caring healthcare profession, and “sell” puts up barriers that are not necessary in a field that enjoys such long standing, integrity. Allowing patients to be involved in the decision-making process of their treatment is key to developing and maintaining good, trustworthy, long-term patient relationships. The ADA can certainly support dentists and dentistry by continuing to provide publicity campaigns that highlight the
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