Deborah K. Ruprecht, DDS
Dr. Ruprecht received comprehensive training from the University of Southern California, one of the world’s leading universities in dental education. She began her academic career with studies in dental hygiene and discovered her passion for periodontics, which would require seven additional years of training.
Her experience could not have been more ideal, as she studied under giants in dental education such as Anna Pattison, Diane and Ray Melrose, Richard Kahn, Jorgen Slots, Hessam Nowzari, Homa Zadeh, Gerald Drury, Winston Chee, and Simon Gamer. These gifted educators helped shape her values and philosophy for patient care, and her gratitude for them and their gifts inspired her to begin teaching also, even as a graduate student.
The University of Southern California, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
- Bachelor of Science, Dental Hygiene, 1988
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, 1995
- Postdoctoral Certificate, Periodontics, 1999
Professional Affiliations and Fellowships
- American Academy of Periodontology
- Academy of Osseointegration
- Western Society of Periodontology
- American Dental Association®
- Orange County Dental Society
- Pierre Fauchard Academy, an honorary dental organization
- SmileOnU, a global nonprofit dental relief organization
- Newport Harbor Academy of Dentistry
- Laguna Gnathology Study Club
- American Academy of Facial Esthetics
Practice Philosophy
“The best path to oral health is prevention.”
Working in private practice since 2000, Dr. Ruprecht takes an integrative approach to oral health and its relationship to systemic health. She believes the foundation of excellence in periodontics and implant dentistry begins with and follows a solid preventive care program. Oral health and systemic health go hand in hand. With good health supported by periodontics, dentistry becomes the easier part of the work, and the patient receives a significant life upgrade.
Dr. Ruprecht utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to achieve oral health while supporting the body with natural options to strengthen the immune system. She utilizes supplements, PRF technology, nutritional counsel and smoking cessation programs as well as professional referrals and partners to help patients optimize a healthy mind and body.
Teaching
“The only way to keep your education is to give it away.”
Guided by her lifelong enjoyment of instruction, Dr. Ruprecht enjoys teaching surgery and treatment planning in advanced periodontology as part-time faculty at the University of Southern California.
She began investing in the next generation of dental professionals as a graduate student and taught in the departments of Dental Hygiene and Restorative Dentistry. Today, her students benefit from her professional experience, and her patients benefit from Dr. Ruprecht’s connection to USC and its world-class resources in advanced dentistry.
Serving
“A long and meaningful life comes from a life of serving.”
Influenced by her parents’ care for the underprivileged, Dr. Ruprecht felt a calling to mission work early in her career. Dr. Ruprecht volunteers as the clinical director and a board member for SmileOnU, a global nonprofit dental relief organization. She has helped lead mission clinics in India and Cambodia, as well as local clinics in Los Angeles and Orange counties.
Her mission experiences have been profound and life changing. Without exception, she finds that volunteers receive the greater blessing than those they serve.
Active Living
Beyond her work, Dr. Ruprecht and her husband enjoy spending time with their family and traveling for continuing education and mission work. They both enjoy their involvement in their church. Her interests include the performing arts and music, and her active lifestyle includes cooking, swimming, cycling, hiking, skiing and yoga.