“I feel truly blessed to be part of a profession as rewarding as orthodontics. Every day, I have the privilege to partner with people in changing their lives through the transformation of their smiles.”Exceptional Education
Dr. Curtis received his specialty certification from the University of Southern California orthodontic department, where he served as class president. He has a master’s degree in craniofacial biology from the Graduate School at USC for his thesis studying the temporomandibular joint. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the USC School of Dentistry, where he graduated in the top 3% of his class. While in dental school, he earned top scores on the National Dental Board examinations and did additional training in orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, implant dentistry, and oral pathology. Dr. Curtis completed his undergraduate work at USC, where he graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in just three years.
Honors, Awards, & Achievements
Dr. Curtis received the Pierre Fauchard Academy award for excellence in dentistry, the USC Mobile Dental Clinic Director’s Merit Award for his work with underserved children, and the Exercise Science Award (given to the top student in that department). He has also been honored by the American Association of Oral Biologists for his interest in oral pathology, and by the California Dental Association which awarded him their CDA Scholarship Award. Dr. Curtis has been elected into the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies and as well as the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society.
Active In The Profession
As a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Curtis is board certified, which is an honor achieved by less than half of his profession. He is a certified Invisalign provider and has led Invisalign study groups, teaching dentists to use this technique. Dr. Curtis is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics, California Association of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the Orange County Dental Society.
Active in the Community
Dr. Curtis has been an active participant in the dental community and the community at large. He has volunteered through USC’s Mobile Dental Clinic Program to treat the dental needs of underserved children. In addition, he has donated time and dental supplies for outreaches in Southern California and Mexico. A sports enthusiast, Dr. Curtis has coached basketball and baseball for various youth programs. He has also taught Sunday school classes for both elementary school children and college/career adults.
Dr. Curtis is married to Allison, a family nurse practitioner. They have three children, a daughter and fraternal twin boys. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, surfing, and biking.
Orthodontist (Dentistry, Braces, Invisalign, Damon System) – Tagawa & Curtis Orthodontics - Brea, Northern (North) Orange County, California (CA) 92821 - We specialize in orthodontic treatment (teeth straightening) for the whole family including children, teens, and adults, offering Invisalign and Invisalign Teen invisible clear aligners and the Damon System comfort braces – Dr. Derick T. Tagawa, DDS, Dr. Richard M. Curtis, DDS, MS. Serving the cities of Brea, La Habra, Fullerton, Whittier, Yorba Linda, La Mirada, Diamond Bar, Placentia, Chino Hills, Anaheim Hills, Anaheim, Hacienda Heights, Rowland Heights, Walnut, and Orange. Serving zip codes 92821, 92822, 92823, 90631, 90632, 90633, 92831, 92832, 92833, 92834, 92835, 92836, 92837, 92838, 90601, 90602, 90603, 90604, 90605, 90606, 90607, 90608, 90609, 90610, 92885, 92886, 92887, 90637, 90638, 90639, 91765, 92870, 92871, 91709, 92801, 92802, 92803, 92804, 92805, 92806, 92807, 92808, 92809, 92812, 92814, 92815, 92816, 92817, 92825, 92850, 92899, 91745, 91748, 91788, 91789, 91795, 92856, 92857, 92859, 92861, 92862, 92863, 92864, 92865, 92866, 92867, 92868, 92869
