Our Philosphy

OUR UNIQUE MINDSET! OUR NOBLE OBSESSION REGARDING DENTISTRY!

PREDICTABLE, LONG-LASTING, NEARLY ”BULLETPROOF“ DENTAL CARE

I. THE LEAST AMOUNT OF LIFETIME DENTISTRY THAT ACHIEVES HEALTH AND STABILITY

-We believe that dental care should be as “bulletproof” and long-lasting as possible. This means:

  • It is done with a deep commitment to predictable, trouble-free results
  • There is exquisite attention to detail
  • There is a focus on optimal prevention
  • Dental repairs will be lifelong solutions whenever possible
  • Patients should be treated with the least amount of lifetime dentistry that maintains an optimal dental condition
  • We will help patients achieve health and stability by increasing their knowledge and self-care

II. AGGRESSIVELY CONSERVATIVE, MINIMALLY INVASIVE, HIGHLY PREDICTABLE

-We believe that the best dentistry is done with a conservative approach and is minimally invasive.

-We believe that predictable dentistry:

  • Is achievable for nearly everyone
  • Has a high value for people
  • Results in very few complications
  • Has little need for repeating a procedure or for retreating a problem

III. COLLABORATIVE DENTAL MINDSET, KEEPING THE PATIENT IN CONTROL, PARTNERING

-We believe that:

  • Patients need an understanding on their conditions, priorities, risks, self-care and treatment options.
  • Though we are experts in dentistry, patients are experts on themselves
  • With an appropriate degree of guidance and information, patients routinely make good decisions that serve them well
  • Patients, not us, are better at determining how to fit their dental care into their lives and budget

IV. “THE BEST” ACTUALLY COSTS LESS

-We believe that the best and finest dentistry:

  • o Usually “costs” less in the long run
  • o Lasts a lot longer; there is less chance of it needing to be redone
  • o Will also cost less in terms of time, trouble and loss of teeth/ tooth structure
  • o Helps prevent the need for many future avoidable procedures
  • o Costs less because an accurate, well-conceived diagnosis means treating only what is needed and providing only what is valuable.

V. RESPECTING PATIENTS’ TIME, “WHY SMALLER IS BETTER”, ACCOUNTABILITY

-We believe that respect between the patient and dental team is demonstrated by:

  • Having a small, highly educated, highly accountable dental team
  • Respecting our patients’ time
  • Seeing people at their scheduled appointment time
  • Seeing only one patient at a time
  • By establishing clear agreements on what will be accomplished at each appointment
  • By having our treated patients almost never experience the need for emergency, immediate or urgent care

VI. BEING STRONG ADVOCATES FOR PATIENTS

-We believe in advocating for our patients by:

  • Focusing on how we can save time, trouble, teeth or financial resources for every patient at every visit and, especially, over time
  • Determining, in detail, what is important to each patient at the start of our time together
  • Using patients’ expressed preferences to tailor our approach, to personalize procedures, and to sequence care appropriately

VII. CONTEMPORARY SOLUTIONS AND LIFELONG LEARNING

-We believe in lifelong learning and the value of continuing education as indicated by:

  • Routinely spending approximately 100 hours each year in courses advancing my dental knowledge.
  • Among many other post-graduate courses, completing the level of Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry as well as the curriculum at the prestigious Kois Center.
  • Having numerous other well-educated dentists, dental team members and dental laboratory technicians choose our practice for their dental care and the dental care of their family members

VII. ATTENTION TO DETAIL, PRECISION

-We believe that:

  • A high level of precision in diagnosis and the strict following of scientifically-supported techniques and protocols is essential to long-lasting treatment
  • The quality of the dentistry and attention to detail make the difference between dental success and failure

VIII. COMPLETE, COMPREHENSIVE CARE

-We believe that complete care:

  • Allows a “big picture” approach that routinely solves “problems” before they occur
  • Prevents unnecessary or unproductive care
  • Allows for early detection and diagnosis providing two great advantages:
    • 1) Early, minimal correction that is predictable and stable
    • 2) Implementation of simple self-care techniques that can stop or greatly slow down a condition that would otherwise need intervention.

IX. COMFORTABLE, GENTLE CARE

-We believe that dental treatment is best done with advanced efforts towards compassion and comfort as indicated by:

  • Our patients routinely telling us how extraordinarily gentle our approach is.
  • Employing all contemporary safe methods to ensure optimal comfort during visits.

X. MORE OPTIONS, CUSTOMIZED APPROACH TO CARE, PHASED CARE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

-We believe that we offer more options and a customized approach as indicated by:

  • Being familiar with all contemporary methods and procedures available today
  • Providing options that can be phased over time.
  • Having optional dental treatment plans where we can:
    • Treat all of a patient’s problems over an appointment or two
    • Or gradually phase care in over a period of up to several years.

XI. OUR BIGGEST AREAS OF EXPERTISE: CUSTOM SOLUTIONS FOR THE MOST COMPLEX PROBLEMS.

-IS IT TIME FOR DENTURES, PARTIAL DENTURES, BRIDGEWORK, OR IMPLANTS?

-We are prepared to manage the most complex cases as indicated by:

  • Many patients coming to us have been frustrated with a declining condition in which full dentures, partial dentures, or implants are being considered.
  • We are completely experienced in all of these options and are able to deliver the treatment they need that is in alignment with their values.
  • Our collaboration with patients involves the choices that satisfies the outcomes most desired.

XII. SPECIALTY CARE: WE DON’T DO EVERYTHING “IN HOUSE” AND WHY THAT’S GOOD FOR OUR PATIENTS

-We believe our patients should receive care provided by the person best equipped to deliver that care. As such:

  • We are very clear about what we are the very best at and on what procedures are best done collaboratively with carefully chosen specialists in our area.
  • Our selected specialists are the ones that we trust for the care of ourselves and our own families.

XIII. PUTTING OURSELVES OUT OF BUSINESS?

-We believe that we should be trying to “put ourselves out of business” by providing treatment to last a lifetime as indicated by:

  • Our joy in seeing our patients become stable and healthy, needing little to no additional dentistry
  • Our belief that if we can “fix” it once for life, or can prevent a problem from ever developing, our job is done!

XIV. We prefer to stay in business by offering our services to NEW patients who also desire this advanced level of care.

How Can We Help You?

Dentist in Virginia Beach

Our dental office in Virginia Beach provides a variety of services, including cosmetic restorative, and preventive dentistry. We are experts is developing custom solutions for the most complex dental problems and concerns.

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What Our Clients Are Saying

Dentist in Virginia Beach

Deborah C.

Very understanding and patient. Spent a lot of time getting to know me before ever looking in my mouth. I’m going back to take care of the problems I’ve let linger for far too long.

- Deborah C.

Phyllis W.

First visit I was warmly greeted by staff and Dr. My hygienist took time to know me and my concerns. She was very experienced and good at what she does. Thank you Karen! See you next time!

- Phyllis W.

Jennifer Roberts

Dr. Rutledge and his staff are both professional and kind. They are extremely welcoming and personable. I feel very confident in their abilities of providing excellent dental care, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a dentist in the area

- Jennifer Roberts

*Smiles pictured thanks to our actual patients.

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Dentist in Virginia Beach

James Rutledge Dentistry | 2025 Pleasure House Rd. | Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757) 464-0271