Meet Dr. John

Education

Harvard University - B.A. (1978)
University of Iowa - D.D.S (1982 )
University of North Carolina - M.S. Pediatric Dentistry (1984 )
University of North Carolina - M.S. Orthodontics (1986)

Biography

Dr. Christensen grew up in Waterloo, Iowa. After completing his undergraduate and dental school education, he moved to North Carolina in 1982 to begin his dental residency training. He opened his practice in Durham in 1987. He and his wife Lorie have three children, Rob, Layne and Kate. Their daughter Layne is now working in the office with her dad and their son, Rob, is currently in dental school at UNC. Of interest, Dr. John’s father was also a pediatric dentist.

Dr. John is one of a handful of practitioners in the United States who has specialty training to practice both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. This unique combination of specialties allows children to receive comprehensive pediatric dental and orthodontic care in one office.

Dr. Christensen is Board Certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He has served on committees to prepare test questions for the National Pediatric Dental Board Exam and the American Dental Association's National Board Dental Exam.

Dr. John is on faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as an adjunct clinical professor and has directed the orthodontic training of pediatric dental residents since 1986. In 2008, Dr. Christensen was honored by former students with a fellowship that will provide funding for post-doctoral students in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Christensen has published multiple research articles, & most notably, has co-written seven chapters in one of the country's leading pediatric dental textbooks: Pediatric Dentistry: Infancy Through Adolescence (Pinkham JR.,W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, 1988, 1993, 1999, 2005 & 2011.)

Dr. Christensen is an accomplished speaker and has presented lectures to various dental organizations both nationally and internationally. He is a past-president of the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the North Carolina Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the North Carolina Association of Orthodontics, the UNC Orthodontic Alumni Association and the Durham-Orange County Dental Society.

Dr. Christensen has been an active member of the Durham community, serving on various boards and committees.  He has also been active in coaching and organizing youth sports with the Woodcroft Athletic Association, the Jordan High School Booster Club and the Jordan High School Lacrosse team.  Dr. John is an avid golfer and loves to read and spend vacations fishing at the beach.

Professional Memberships

American Dental Association American Board of Pediatric Dentistry American Association of Orthodontics American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry American Society of Dentistry for Children Southern Association of Orthodontics Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry	North Carolina Dental Society North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry  (Past President) North Carolina Society of Pediatric Dentistry  (Past President) North Carolina Association of Orthodontics  (Past President) UNC Orthodontic Alumni Association  (Past President) Durham-Orange County Dental Society  (Past President)