About Dr. Ricardo M. Gaitan DDS and Associates

Dr. Ricardo M. Gaitan Sr., DDS, BDS
Dr. Gaitan and Associates provide orthodontics and comprehensive dental services. Dr. Gaitan Sr. is also fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish to better accomodate his patients.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. is originally from Peru. He graduated from San Marcos University Dental School in Lima in 1985 and became a certified Orthodontist from the College of Dentists of Peru in 1991.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. obtained the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and completed Orthodontic Externship Program in 1997 at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He then completed his Orthodontic Mini-Residency Program in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2000.

In 2005, Dr. Gaitan Sr. was recognized with the TUMI USA AWARD in Miami, Florida, for his notable contributions to the Peruvian Community in the US and as an Outstanding Peruvian Professional in the State of Virginia. He treats patients at his practices in Virginia and works as an Orthodontic Consultant at his practice in Lima, Peru.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. and his brother Jorge were born in Lima, Peru, and were raised in a family with an attraction to Dentistry. Their father and mentor, Dr. Sixto Gaitan Ortiz, was an Orthodontist and their main inspiration. Together, they completed their studies at San Marcos University in Peru.

After schooling, Dr. Gaitan Sr. moved to the US to pursue post-grad studies at the University of Maryland. Dr. Jorge Gaitan remained in Peru and is a successful General Practitioner and Faculty Member at their Alma Mater. After additional academic and professional experiences, they decided to practice in different areas of dentistry with the quality and professionalism learned from their father.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. enjoys the beach life with family and friends. He is passionate of boating as well as playing the piano and riding Peruvian Paso horses.

Dr. Kopal Agarwal, DMD

Dr. Kopal Agarwal is a general dentist in Sterling VA. She graduated from Tufts University – School of Dental Medicine, Boston MA with Doctor of Dental Medicine and Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Meerut University, India. She practiced as a General Dentist in India before attending Tufts University, where she received rigorous training in General Dentistry. She has volunteered at several non-profit dental camps.

She is caring and compassionate with a goal of providing the highest standard of dental care to each of her patients. She enjoys treating adult and pediatric patients. In her free time, Dr. Agarwal enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Dr. Ricardo S. Gaitan Jr., DDS

Dr. Ricardo S. Gaitan Jr. was born and raised in Northern Virginia and attended Old Dominion Univesity in Norfolk, Virginia obtaining his Bachelor's in Biology. He decided to follow his father's and grandfather's footsteps and obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S) degree from Howard University College of Dentistry. Dr. Gaitan Jr's mission is to provide every patient with excellent dental care with optimal clinical results.  By participating in several dental missions around the United States has allowed Dr. Gaitan Jr. to develop a personalized and warm approach to clearly communicate with patients about their dental care. 

Dr. Gaitan Jr. enjoys going to local sporting events in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area with his family and friends. He spends his free time outdoors and is an avid rider of Peruvian Paso Horses. He is enthusiatic of traveling to new places and learning different cultures and languages.