Randall W. Kulnis, DMD, MSD, PC
Dr. Randall W. Kulnis was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania where he grew up and attended high school. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medical biology from Youngstown State University in eastern Ohio. Then, Dr. Kulnis accepted entry to the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 1985; soon after he joined the U.S. Navy. In the Navy, he enjoyed a very active and productive career spanning two decades. Over the 20 years on active duty, he and his family had the opportunity to travel the world. Dr. Kulnis, his wife Debbie, and their three children have experienced living around the globe, including extended tours of duty in Japan and Italy. Dr. Kulnis even served a couple of years as a dental department head aboard ship, and several years with the Fleet Marine Force.
In 1992 the Navy selected Dr. Kulnis for a year-long fellowship in comprehensive dentistry. He finished at the top of his class. In 1996 the Navy rewarded Dr. Kulnis’ ten years of dental excellence and accomplishments with a rare and highly sought after orthodontic residency training scholarship. He attended two intense years of education at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. While at Case Western, Dr. Kulnis earned his specialty certificate to exclusively practice orthodontics, and simultaneously earned a Master of Science in Dentistry degree, again at the top of his class. In addition, he was also honored to accept the Award for Clinical Excellence from his faculty, distinguishing him as the top performing clinician in his class.
Since 2002 Dr. Kulnis has been a member of the faculty in the Department of Orthodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia. He also spent five years instructing Navy oral surgery residents in the orthodontic aspects and treatment planning considerations of severe skeletal abnormality cases. Dr. Kulnis is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics and maintains a level of annual continuing education and training well beyond those required for annual licensure. He has an extensive background in all aspects of orthodontic treatment, and of all degrees of severity in children, teens and adults.
In 2005 Dr. Kulnis retired from the Navy as a Captain and achieved a 30 year dream of establishing residence in the Hampton Roads area. His first exposure to the area was on vacation in 1975. “I knew then that this was the place I ultimately wanted to settle and raise a family.” Dr. Kulnis has been patient but is now fulfilling his dream of living in such a great and growing community. Since the Navy returned him to the area in 1990, and again in 1999, Dr. Kulnis was already anticipating a future in Suffolk. “I remember discussing my dream of practicing dentistry in the city of Suffolk with former mayor, Dr. George Barnett, when Dr. Barnett and I worked together at Sewell’s Point Dental Clinic in the early 90s.
“Our colleagues and friends have openly welcomed our practice to the neighborhood,” Dr. Kulnis states. “It’s rewarding to positively affect the lives of the patients our friends and colleagues entrust to our care, “he says. “Our mission is to always provide a caring and friendly experience for everyone, to welcome new relationships and ultimately welcome many more enthusiastic fans of our practice.”
“I am now able to use the skills I’ve developed over decades to contribute to and improve the lives of those in the community I’ve longed to be a part of for years. Now it’s my job to keep them smiling.”
Professional Memberships:
- American Board of Orthodontics
- American Dental Association
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Virginia Dental Association
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- Tidewater Orthodontic Study Club
- Eastern Virginia Orthodontic Study Club
- Portsmouth/Suffolk Dental Study Club