[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 64 (Thursday, April 30, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO DR. GORDON J. CHRISTENSEN

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, it is an honor today to pay tribute to a 
renowned educator and a highly regarded prosthodontist, Dr. Gordon J. 
Christensen. Dr. Christensen has had a meaningful impact on dentistry 
across the Nation, and he continues to influence the field today 
through his wide-reaching publications.
  Appropriately, the board of directors of the CR Foundation will be 
honoring Dr. Christensen for his contributions to the field at its 
upcoming 40th Anniversary Celebration on May 8, 2015.
  Born on November 10, 1936, Gordon Christensen completed predental 
studies at Utah State University in 1956 and received a DDS degree at 
the University of Southern California in 1960. He completed a master's 
degree in restorative dentistry at the University of Washington in 1963 
and earned a PhD in higher education and psychology at the University 
of Denver in 1972. Dr. Christensen has also received honorary doctorate 
degrees from Utah State University and Utah Valley University.
  In 1976, Dr. Christensen and his wife, Dr. Rella Christensen--a well-
respected dental consultant--started Clinical Research Associates, now 
known as the CR Foundation. He is presently serving as CR's chief 
executive officer and is a member of the board of directors. Dr. 
Christensen and his wife volunteer full-time for CR to conduct research 
in all areas of dentistry.
  The Christensens publish the findings of their research in the Gordon 
J. Christensen Clinicians Report, a publication of the CR Foundation. 
The Clinicians Report is translated in 7 languages and distributed to 
more than 100,000 dentists across 92 countries. The Christensens have 
developed an expansive readership, and their groundbreaking research 
has positively impacted the dental health of hundreds of thousands of 
patients worldwide. Dental professionals who subscribe to Clinicians 
Report are unreserved in their praise of Dr. Christensen. I would like 
to share some of the appreciation Dr. Christensen recently received 
from three dental professionals. Richard K. Dimsdale, DDS, wrote: 
``Dentistry would never have made the advances it has over many years 
without the help, guidance, & research you have contributed!'' Ted 
Cross, DDS, wrote: ``The Gordon J. Christensen Clinicians Report has 
not only saved me tens of thousands of dollars of purchasing mistakes, 
but has also immeasurably improved the care my staff and I offer our 
patients.'' And Bob Dolan, DDS, wrote: ``I recently retired after 54 
years of practice. I believe I have been in contact with Gordon for 20 
or 30 or more years and have really appreciated the great-unbiased 
information. Thank you Gordon (and your dear wife) for all you have 
done for me and for dentistry these many years.''
  Dr. Christensen also founded and directs Practical Clinical Courses, 
PCC, in Utah, an international continuing education organization 
providing courses and videos for dental professionals. In connection 
with PCC, he has presented over 45,000 hours of continuing education 
throughout the world.
  As a frequent contributor to professional journals, Dr. Christensen 
holds editorial positions with 10 dental publications. He is also the 
recipient of many fellowships, masterships, and diplomas from various 
dental specialties and organizations worldwide.
  Early in his career, Dr. Christensen helped initiate the University 
of Kentucky and the University of Colorado Dental Schools. He also 
taught dentistry courses at the University of Washington.
  For the Christensens, dentistry seems to run in the family. Both of 
Dr. Christensen's sons work in the field: William is a prosthodontist 
and Michael is a general dentist. The Christensen's lovely daughter, 
Carlene, is making her own contributions as a teacher.
  After more than 55 years in private practice, Dr. Christensen remains 
active in treating patients. He continues to influence dentistry across 
the world through his continuing education lectures and the Clinicians 
Report. He is truly one of dentistry's great leaders, and it is with 
great respect, gratitude, admiration, and affection that I pay tribute 
to Dr. Gordon J. Christensen.

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