[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Pages 5953-5954]
[From the U.S. 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

[[Page 5954]]

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.

                          ____________________