Dr. Rick was raised in Auburn and graduated from
Auburn High School in 1988. He attended Brigham Young University majoring in Zoology before
moving on to sunny southern California where he attended dental school at Loma Linda University.
He graduated from dental school and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1999. He
received numerous awards in dental school including the Academic Excellence Gold Award for
finishing in the top 1% in the country on the dental board exam and the American Academy of Oral
and Maxillofacial Pathology award. He is also a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the prestigious
national dental honor society reserved for students who finish in the top 10% of their class.
Dr. Rick attended UCLA for his orthodontic residency and received his specialty certificate in
orthodontics in 2001.
Dr. Rick is a member of the American Dental Association, the Washington State Dental Society,
the Seattle King County Dental Society and the American Association of Orthodontists. He
attends numerous continuing education courses throughout the year in an effort to continually
educate himself and stay on the cutting edge of new techniques as they develop. He also is a
member of the South Valley Advanced Dentistry Study Club in addition to attending two other
national study clubs.
Dr. Rick's friends describe him as an honest, friendly and easygoing individual. When asked why
he chose orthodontics as a profession, he replied, "Having the opportunity to change peoples
lives through giving them a beautiful smile is a feeling that I can't describe. It's a wonderful
gift to be able to give." Dr. Rick loves having the opportunity to practice together with both
his father and brother.
While at UCLA, Dr. Rick met his beautiful wife Amy, and they wed in July 2002. They have a
beautiful daughter Sophie, who is the love of their lives, and a chocolate lab named Cocoa.
Outside of orthodontics, Dr. Rick enjoys traveling, scuba diving, playing softball, backpacking,
officiating high school basketball and spending time with his family.
