About Walter J. Rapacz, DDS
A Chicago-area native, Dr Rapacz attended Loyola University of Chicago where he received his B.S. degree in Chemistry in 1974 and continued his professional education at Northwestern University in Chicago from which he received his dental degree in 1976. Migrating to Arizona after graduation, he established a practice on the west side of Phoenix and 10 years later established his second office in the Ahwatukee-Foothills area. He left the west side office and currently practices solely in his Ahwatukee-Foothills office, which has been established since 1989. Dr Rapacz places a strong emphasis on continuing education. His membership in the Academy of General Dentistry is a reflection of this philosophy in that this organization’s mission is the support of the general dentist in their desire to continually stay updated and current in their field. He currently is the President of the Academy of General Dentistry for Arizona and also Regional Director Nationally, and has received the honor of becoming a Fellow in the Academy. Fellowship requires membership in the organization, passing a comprehensive 6 hour examination, and minimally 400 hours of continuing education. In addition, he has taken courses at the Pankey Institute in Florida and the Las Vegas Institute, multiple other courses. He currently is working to achieve his Master’s in the Academy through an intense 4 year program of education in various disciplines. Dr Rapacz is married and has 5 children and 10 grandchildren spread throughout the world. He is a parish member at Corpus Christi Church. He has been a long time volunteer dentist at the St Vincent De Paul dental clinic where dental services are provided for the working poor. He enjoys traveling with his wife, his grandchildren, gardening and tinkering in the garage with his woodworking.