Dr. Richard G. Gardner has practiced general dentistry in Ocean Beach for over fifteen years. His dedication to his patients and the art of dentistry spans well over thirty-five years.

He is a long time resident of Ocean Beach. He attended Ocean Beach Elementary, Dana Junior High, Point Loma High, and graduated from SDSU with a degree in chemistry. He obtained a D.D.S. degree from the Saint Louis University College of Dentistry in 1962.

Dr. Garner opened a practice of General Dentistry in Vista, California (San Diego County) and from there was recruited for a full-time teaching position at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry.

At that time (1967) the Dean of the dental school recommended the incoming faculty should have a masters degree in higher education. After earning a M.E.d. from the USC School of Education, Dr. Gardner embarked on a dental faculty career. He taught dental students at USC in the department of Fixed Prosthodontics (crowns and bridges). After five years he accepted a position as Head of Comprehensive Care (Family Dentistry) at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. After five years in Iowa, the doctor was recruited to develop a curriculum in the area of Restorative Dentistry (crowns, bridges, fillings, etc.) at the University of Riyadh College of Dentistry in Saudi Arabia.

During seventeen years of faculty position in dental academia, Dr. Richard Gardner, D.D.S. was priviledged to lecture to practicing dentists nationally, and internationally, before returning to practice and to his home in Ocean Beach. His distinguished teaching career has kept his knowledge and skills state of the art and at the height of the times.