Meet Dr. John Willhide

Dentist in Fredericksburg, VA

I truly love the practice of dentistry. My practice provides me an opportunity to improve my patients’ lives. Whether restoring eating function, esthetically improving a smile, or eliminating  pain, what my team and I do can literally change a patient’s life for the better. The addition of sleep appliance therapy to our treatment modalities has also allowed us the wonderful privilege of knowing that we are actually saving lives. 

I like the challenges of my practice and of dentistry, so it’s imperative to keep abreast of advances in technology and techniques. I take pride in educating our patients on proper oral health care. This is especially important, as there is growing evidence that oral health is directly connected to overall systemic health in a multitude of ways. I have the help of a wonderful team of professionals who do a great job of keeping our patients happy and smiling. Attending continuing dental education courses allows my team to provide our patients with state-of-the-art dental care, and they strive every day to fulfill our collective vision of exceeding expectations with every patient, and for every procedure.

I grew up in Roanoke, VA, and attended the University of Virginia on an academic scholarship. I played football and lacrosse at UVA and have remained active athletically ever since. I graduated from the School of Dentistry at the Medical College of Virginia and then served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps for 4 years. During my service, I rotated through specialty programs in periodontics, oral surgery, endodontics, and prosthodontics. I later added specialized training in Sleep Appliance Therapy and have worked closely with the Veterans Administration as one of a very few dentists in Virginia certified to treat our vets for Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

In addition to my private practice Heritage Dental in Fredericksburg, I am on the active staff of Mary Washington Hospital and have served as President of the Rappahannock Dental Society and the Northern Virginia Dental Society. In September 2012, I was very proud to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award from this group. I am a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fouchard Academy, and the VDA. I have twice been to Honduras on dental missions to treat children in an orphanage and was instrumental in establishing a clinic for indigent patients in Northern Virginia. I have been an associate faculty member of the Pride Institute, teaching at the Medical College of Virginia as well as the University of North Carolina.

I am committed to giving back to my community and have served as both member and President of the Board of Directors of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, and as chairman of the Fredericksburg Architectural Review Board. I attend St. George’s Episcopal Church, and am a lay Eucharist Minister in the Episcopal Church.  I have six children and several grandchildren.  I have truly been blessed!