Academy of Operative Dentistry Award of ExcellenceDr Richard G Stevenson III
Citation: Operative Dentistry 35, 2; 10.2341/1559-2863-35.2.253
It is a great honor for the Academy of Operative Dentistry to present its 2010 Award of Excellence to Dr Richard G Stevenson III. Dr Stevenson epitomizes the standards of excellence in teaching, mentoring and clinical practice.
After graduating from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 1986 and practicing general dentistry in Orange County, California, for six years, Dr Stevenson began his teaching career. Initially a clinical and laboratory instructor, he soon chaired the Pre-clinical Operative Dentistry course, completely revamping the course and syllabus. After serving as UCLA clinic director, Rich became chair of the Division of Restorative Dentistry, which includes more than 100 full- and part-time faculty members.
Soon after graduation, Dr Stevenson heard Dr Richard V Tucker speak about excellence in dentistry through conservative cast gold restorations. Inspired by Dr Tucker, Dr Stevenson and Dr Mark Cruz organized an RV Tucker Cast Gold Study Club in Orange County—club #13. For the past 20 years, he has continued to develop his clinical skills and has become an excellent clinician, constantly pushing himself to be the best he can be. Dr Stevenson currentlymentors four RV Tucker Study Clubs, including a student study club at UCLA, #67, the only one of its kind in the world.
Dr Stevenson is also an outstanding teacher, with the ability to adapt his teaching to the level of the pupils, whether they are dental assistants, dental students or other dentists, both national and international. He utilizes the latest technical methods, including videos and computer presentations, which are current, creative and innovative. A set of instruments that he developed are used to teach Basic Principles of Restorative Dentistry to dental students both at UCLA and other dental schools. As a clinical instructor, Rich is outstanding, because of his vast knowledge and experience and his desire to share that knowledge and experience with others. For the past two years, he has taught students at the Venice Dental Center, covering all aspects of Restorative Dentistry, including placing and restoring implants. He uses digital photography to review the cases daily with the group, so that each student learns from all the procedures completed that day. This opportunity is so popular that the number of applicants far exceeds the positions available.
As an instructor of Continuing Education, Dr Stevenson has taught a variety of dentists, strengthening basic restorative techniques to advanced procedures. Along with other courses, he has taught in the UCLA Esthetic Continuum for the last 12 years, both lecturing and hands-on. He has also instituted a yearlong preceptor program at UCLA aimed at developing pre-clinical and clinical teaching skills for dentists.
With his passion for excellence and his ability to instill that passion in others, Dr Stevenson has received numerous teaching awards from students, including “Teacher of theYear” on several occasions, the ADA Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching and one of 10 UCLA campus-wide teaching awards. These awards symbolize Dr Stevenson's passion for teaching and instilling a desire for excellence in others.
When a person demands excellence of himself, he provides outstanding service to others, but when he can instill that same commitment to excellence in others, the effect he can have is unlimited. Not only does he always strive to be the best he can be, Dr Stevenson truly inspires the same excellence in his students and associates.
As a leader, in addition to chairing the largest division at the UCLA School of Dentistry, Rich has spent countless hours in other leadership positions, including counselor, vice president, president and assistant secretary of the Academy of Operative Dentistry and he currently serves as secretary. He also serves as secretary of the RV Tucker Academy. He is a member of the Academy of Restorative Dentistry and is one of about 70 dentists worldwide who is board certified in Operative Dentistry, a grueling and challenging accomplishment.
During Dr Richard Stevenson's comparatively short career, he has accomplished much and will continue to excel for years to come. One of his most important guiding principles is strict adherence to excellence, never settling for less. Regardless of whether it is routine restorative dentistry, conservative gold restorations, demanding and challenging esthetic situations or teaching others to be better, excellence is not just a word, it is the standard by which he lives. TheAcademy of Operative Dentistry is pleased to present the Award of Excellence to Dr Richard G Stevenson III.