Dr Richard Heidemann

Dr. Richard Heidemann is a 1996 graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University. It was during this time that he did extended research on gecko reproduction while attaining his Bachelor of Science in Biology. This research earned him the Shirley Jolliff Memorial Biology Research Award, which is given annually to the top undergraduate researcher at Nebraska Wesleyan. Dr. Heidemann then worked as a dental lab technician becoming experienced in the design and fabrication of crowns and bridges. This experience helped him to earn a spot at Marquette University School of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 2006. While at Marquette, classmates, faculty, and alumni selected Dr. Heidemann as the 2004 Tom Laur Award winner; one the highest honors a student can achieve. As a student at Marquette, Richard, teamed up with three classmates and a faculty member to start a non-profit organization called Compassionate Dental Care International (CDCI). This organization was set up to provide dental care to the less fortunate around the world. In the years since its creation, a total of nine trips have been taken, and over 3,000 patients have been treated, with the majority of the trips to the Dominican Republic. In addition to the work with (CDCI), 2008 found Dr. Heidemann in the refugee camps of Tanzania, Africa working to help develop a curriculum in Emergency Dental Care and Health Promotion. This curriculum is now being used in long-term refugee camps around the world. Following graduation from Marquette University School of Dentistry, Dr. Heidemann taught part-time at Marquette Dental School, while also working at Greenbrook Dentistry, and Madra Angelo dental clinic. These three very different work environments, along with his humanitarian work, have given Dr. Heidemann a large scope of knowledge in the field of dentistry.