Meet Dr. Rick H. Heard
A native of Victoria, Dr. Rick H. Heard received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He continued training there for three more years to receive his Certificate and Masters of Science in Periodontics and Implantology. Following his residency, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, meaning he has fulfilled the highest standards of his profession.
Dr. Heard is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Southwest Society of Periodontists, Texas Dental Association, Texas Society of Periodontists, Guadalupe Valley Dental Society, and North-Side Rotary Club. He has held numerous positions in some of these societies as a means of service to his professional community. He is the founder of the Gulf Coast Study Club, an Interdisciplinary Dental Study Club comprised of local restorative dentists and specialists. The function of the club serves to coordinate and continually improve the quality of the dental care provided to the Victoria area.
Dr. Heard is honored to be part of The McGuire Institute, a select group of fellow periodontists organized into a practice-based research network. The McGuire Institute is transforming a passion for evidence-based dentistry into a unique vision for advancing the practice of dentistry through clinically-relevant research. The institute is a not-for-profit organization with the mission of providing research at the highest level of skill and integrity. This institute allows clinically relevant questions to be evaluated and applied to the everyday delivery of periodontal therapy.
Prior to returning to Victoria, Dr. Heard was the course director and clinical professor of periodontics and implantology at the UTHSCSA Dental School in the General Practice and Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residencies. Dr. Heard also enjoys lecturing on his specialty to local societies and within the community of Victoria.
As an experienced periodontist, it is his goal to provide exemplary care for his patients and raise the level of awareness in our region for oral health care needs. This can only be accomplished through his ongoing efforts with continuing education thereby staying abreast of state of the art treatment modalities, educating each person as to their individual oral healthcare needs, and being given the privilege to treat each individual in an ideal manner.
