DENTIST NEAR FOREST, VA

Dr. James M. Peery III, DDS

If Dr. James M. Peery III’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he shares it with his beloved father, our own Dr. James M. Peery Jr.! While it’s true that he had a dentist for a dad growing up, Dr. Peery didn’t consider going into the field himself until after he had already completed his bachelor's degree in aviation at Ohio University. Watching his father’s joy treating patients inspired him to return to school and pursue his dental doctorate at the MCV School of Dentistry. He then completed his residency at the University of Virginia, serving as Chief Resident in his final year.

Today, Dr. Peery is happy to be back home working together with his dad and the rest of the team at Peery & Woolwine Family Dentistry. He is honored to treat a variety of patients from all walks of life, and to maintain the fun, comfortable atmosphere his father famously started when he opened the practice back in 1980.

When he’s not making smiles brighter, Dr. Peery loves flying planes, which he’s been doing since he was 14, and spending time in nature, hiking, biking, walking, skiing, running, and fishing. Together with his wife Hoa, he loves to travel, especially to Vietnam.

Dr. Peery is also passionate about community service, and can be found regularly volunteering at the Free Clinic of Central VA. He is a current, active member of the Rotary Club, and is a former President of the Lynchburg Dental Society, and currently serves on boards of both the Academy Center of the Arts and Miriam’s House.

Samuel E. Woolwine III, DDS

A native of the Salem area, Dr. Samuel F. Woolwine loves living and working in the Lynchburg area. He enjoys not only protecting his patients’ smiles but getting to know them on a deeper level, too!

The grandson of a dentist, Dr. Woolwine decided to pursue dentistry while still in high school. He loved that oral healthcare wasn’t just about teeth, but working with your hands to help people, all the while incorporating science and other technologies into the mix. While he was certainly young when he made his choice, he has never regretted it for a moment!

When not working diligently to save smiles, Dr. Woolwine is happy to be at home with his wife and four kids. Although it’s getting increasingly difficult to coordinate schedules, the family loves spending time outdoors camping, hiking, and fishing together. Dr. Woolwine also enjoys wakeboarding and playing volleyball whenever he can!

Dr. James M. Peery, Jr, DDS

Although he’s not a native, Dr. James M. Peery Jr. arrived in the Lynchburg area in 1980 and never looked back! He earned his undergraduate degree at Hampden-Sydney College and his DDS degree at the Medical College of Virginia. After graduating, he participated in a general practice residency program at the University of Virginia, where he was promoted to Chief Resident. He did such a phenomenal job that he was offered a permanent role as a faculty member, which he remained at for three years before leaving to open his own practice, which he still runs today!

Over the years, Dr. Peery has earned numerous professional accolades. He was even President of the Lynchburg Dental Society. Today, he is a proud member of the American Dental Association and Rotary Club and honored to be the recipient of the Dr. Joseph A. Levine Dental Service award from a local free clinic. However, he is probably most proud to have earned the Lynchburg Dental Assistants Society “Boss of the Year” award!

When he’s not giving his patients gorgeous grins, Dr. Peery enjoys spending time with his lovely wife Doris and their three adult sons (including our own Dr. James Peery III) and their families. He is also an avid golfer who loves to travel and get lost in a good book!

Dr. Mark A. Stephens, DDS

A proud native of Bedford County, Dr. Mark Stephens is pleased to be helping protect the oral health of his Central Virginia community.  A talented artist and musician, he decided to pursue dentistry at the young age of 13 because it allowed him to be creative and work with his hands, all the while caring for others.

After earning his BS in Biomedical Science from Lynchburg College (now University of Lynchburg) he went on to achieve his DDS degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. While there, he took on additional training in CAD/CAM, a technology used to 3D-print restorations and same-day crowns.

When he’s not safeguarding his patient’s smiles, Dr. Stephens enjoys creating music, and can often be found playing his viola, violin, and piano. His goal is to someday learn all of Chopin’s Etudes. In the meantime, he also relaxes by writing music, reading, and watching documentaries. His husband, Jeremy is a fellow-music lover and music professor who teaches voice and choir, and together they are regular performers at their local church. They also enjoy traveling, watching local theater, and tackling DIY home improvement projects.

I Need a Checkup & Cleaning

Brushing and flossing twice daily at home can help keep your mouth clean and prevent oral issues, but you might still develop hidden problems beneath your gums, between your teeth, or behind your molars.

Meanwhile, scheduling a routine checkup and cleaning near Forest every 6 months allows our team to monitor your dental health and catch and address any areas of concern, such as thinning enamel or swollen connective tissues, before they progress into more serious issues. We also provide routine oral cancer screenings to avoid this serious condition, and topical fluoride treatments to help strengthen your enamel to prevent dental damage.

I Am Looking for A Dentist for My Child

Our team is experienced working with patients of all ages and abilities, and we are happy to provide customized services to help guide your child’s still-developing smile. In addition to routine preventive exams and cleanings, we also can prevent decay with silver-diamine fluoride treatments, fill cavities, and avoid dental emergencies near Forest by providing a custom-fitted athletic mouthguard to help shield their teeth from harm during martial arts, group sports, or other high-contact activities.

I Want to Enhance My Smile

Addressing aesthetic concerns in your grin can help you look and feel like the most attractive version of yourself, which can, in turn, boost your confidence to improve your daily quality of life.

Our team offers several cosmetic procedures near Forest, such as teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, metal-free restorations, and cosmetic dental bonding, to help you improve your appearance and meet your individual smile goals.

I have a Cavity/Broken Tooth

Historically, dentists repaired damaged teeth with metal amalgam restorations, but today, our team near Forest offers a more lifelike solution with tooth-colored repairs. Whether you need a composite resin filling to treat tooth decay or have a more severely damaged tooth requiring a dental crown, we’ve got you covered.

We also offer CEREC® One-Visit Restorations, using state-of-the-art technology to provide a dental crown on the same day as your initial appointment, reducing potential wait times.

I am Missing One or More Teeth

Gaps in your grin left behind by missing teeth can make it harder to eat, speak, and smile confidently. Our team can rebuild your grin with customized replacements, such as lifelike dentures or dental bridges.

Our team has also completed specialty training and has advanced technology to place and restore dental implants in the office for a more comfortable, streamlined procedure.

I am Worried About Bleeding Gums

Gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease, can sometimes be reversed with more consistent flossing. However, if the infection remains untreated, it can progress to more advanced stages that can be managed, but not always cured.

Our team offers treatment options, such as scaling and root planing, a two-part deep cleaning that involves removing hidden germs then smoothing your enamel to prevent bacteria from forming new deposits. We can also provide ARESTIN® topical oral antibiotics to help manage the overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria in your mouth to prevent a repeat infection.

I am Nervous/Scared of the Dentist

I am in Pain & Need Help

There are plenty of reasons you might require an emergency dental appointment, and the sooner you contact us, the more likely we are to help save your smile. Whether you’ve developed an infection requiring a root canal or have a serious toothache that necessitates an extraction, we can first provide pain relief with nitrous oxide sedation, then deliver the treatments needed to improve your condition.