Dr. William Brian Christie, DDS

William Christie D.D.S
I was born in Hayward, California and was raised for a short time in Minnesota before returning to California in 1948. My family settled in the central valley where I lived until going off to San Francisco State University. After receiving my bachelors’ degree in biology, and marrying my lovely wife Pat, I entered the University of Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. After four years of intense study, I graduated with honors in 1970.
Immediately after dental school graduation, I was instructed to report for active duty in the United States Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. After my basic training I was sent to West Germany accompanied by Pat. This was a very enjoyable 3-year assignment. However, we decided civilian life would be preferable to an Army career, so I left the Army with an honorable discharge at the rank of Major and settled in Santa Cruz near both sets of parents. In addition to attending to the dental needs of multiple …generations of locals here in Santa Cruz, my wife and some family members have traveled with me to bring dentistry to needy people in Peru and India.
In Peru, I brought all the equipment necessary to set up a dental clinic and then trained eight Amazon jungle natives to perform dental procedures. This was an extremely exciting and challenging endeavor as it accomplished a lasting solution to their dental needs.
The experience in India, while valuable to those suffering dental disease, was not a durable solution. I equate it to trying to sweep the sand off the beach with a broom.
But, I remind myself we did alleviate suffering for very many poor and seemingly forgotten people including the children and staff at Little Flock Children’s Home, an orphanage in a rural area about an hour’s drive from Chennai (formerly known as Madras).
In Santa Cruz I have been actively involved in numerous capacities. I have been a leader in church activities and Bible studies for many years. I served for four years on the Citizen’s Police Review Board and was a past Chairman. From there, I was in invited to be a volunteer with the Santa Cruz Police Department, helping facilitate the Citizen Police Academies as part of their Community Policing efforts.
I have written a number of articles about dentistry for the Health And Fitness Connection and just completed my first book, Gloria’s Smile, published in March 2009.
Pat and I have been married since 1966 and have four married children. We have 7 grandchildren.
We are both very fond of this area but love to travel. I love history and we have thoroughly enjoyed meeting people of other cultures as we have traveled.
I have always loved mechanical things such as watches, cameras and automobiles and am a member of the Antique Automobile club of America. The oldest car I have is a 1927 Buick Convertible.
My wife, Pat, is a school nurse, currently working in Menlo Park. I don’t envy her commute but have never heard her complain. She gives her all in everything she does and has been honored many times, even being elected “School Nurse of the Year.” She is very politically active in school nursing and travels to Washington, DC several times each year. She is the most unselfish person I know.
I feel fortunate in so many ways! I am particularly blessed to have chosen a profession I thoroughly enjoy after 35 years and am fortunate to have such an outstanding office staff.