Biography of Charlotte dentist,
Dr. Van Gurp
Originally from Allentown, PA, Dr Van Gurp is a graduate of The University of North Carolina Dental School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A Dean’s List student while attending Dental School, Dr. Van Gurp was awarded membership into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Fraternity − one of the highest awards given in dentistry.
In 1988, Dr. Van Gurp opened his private practice here in Charlotte after completing his General Practice Residency in Hospital Dentistry at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT.
A respected Charlotte cosmetic dentist with more than 20 years experience, Dr. Van Gurp also serves as a consultant to several national and international dental companies regarding new product development. His peers continue to seek his expertise as he lectures on the newest advances in dental technology.
Curriculum Vitae
Dr. Richard. W. Van Gurp
Professional Licenses: North Carolina, # 5645. July 1988 – Present
Education/Practice Experience
Private Practice, Charlotte NC, July 1988 – Present
General Practice Residency in Hospital Dentistry, Hartford Hospital,
Hartford, CT July 1987 – June 1988
Doctor of Dental Surgery, 1987
University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Bachelor of Science, Biology, 1982
Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Activities
Consultant to Axis Dental Company on product development 2003 - present
Program Committee, Holiday Dental Conference Foundation 2002 – 2004
Consultant to Austin Dental Equipment Company (ADEC) regarding new product development, 2004
Speaker on behalf of Patterson Dental Company regarding CEREC Technology, 2003 – 2006; States: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia
North Carolina Dental Society Peer Review Committee 2001-2003
Carolina's Alliance for the Preservation of Private Care Dentistry, 1995-2001
Center for Professional Development Practice Development Program, 1992-1993
Center for Professional Development Mastership Program, 1993-1996
Current Memberships
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Academy of CAD/CAM (Computerized) Dentistry
Community Involvement – Current
Through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s “Give Back A Smile” Program, assist the survivors of domestic violence in reclaiming their lives and their smiles by treating the dental injuries they sustained as a result of the abuse.
Provide dental services to Belarussian children who travel to Charlotte for medical and dental care as a part of programs coordinated through local churches.
Volunteer to the Ada Jenkins Mobile Dental Bus – a fully equipped mobile dental office that provides excellent dental care to individuals in the greater Charlotte area who otherwise would not be able to have access to these services.
Extramural/Extracurricular Experiences (Dental School)
Fayetteville Veterans Administration Hospital, Oral Surgery
Cancer Education Program, North Carolina Memorial Hospital and UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry
North Carolina Memorial Hospital, Hospital Rotation
Orange County Health Department, Pediatric Dentistry
Teacher's Assistant, Microscopic Anatomy
Student Admissions Committee
Honors
UNC-CH Dental School Dean's List, 1984, 1985
Omicron Kappa Upsilon, Dental Honor Fraternity, 1987
Who's Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges, 1986-1987
Awarded National Cancer Institute Summer Assistantship, 1986
Muhlenberg College Dean's List, 1982
Research
Study of Changes in Dimensional Stability During a Two-Stage Curing Process for the Fabrication of Closed Hollow Bulb Maxillary Obturators. National Cancer Institute Grant #17973
Identification of High Caries Risk Children. Field Study with Dr. Harry Bohannan, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Portland, ME, November 1986.
