Dr. Rickabaugh received his Bachelor of Arts in biology from Wichita State University in 1978 and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1982. He was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society for his noteworthy achievements at UMKC.
Following dental school, he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy Dental Corps, and served on active duty for eight years. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander. After his naval service, Dr. Rickabaugh attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he received his orthodontic specialty training. He graduated with a certificate in orthodontics and a Master of Science in dental science, and moved to Winston-Salem.
Dr. Rickabaugh is active with organized dentistry/orthodontics and maintains membership in national, regional, and state societies. He is passionate about the profession and observes daily how treatment impacts peoples lives.
To support his beloved profession, he has served in leadership roles. He is a past president of the Forsyth County Dental Society and the North Carolina Association of Orthodontists. He has also served as the NC Director to the Southern Association of Orthodontists as well the NC Delegate to the House of Delegates for the American Association of Orthodontists.
Dr. Rickabaugh and his wife live in Winston-Salem with their adopted Latvian children, Sophia and Erik. Their son Thomas is an NC State civil engineering graduate who worked six years as a track supervisor for Norfolk Southern Railroad. He now attends Georgia Tech University in Atlanta pursuing his MBA.
In his free time, Dr. Rickabaugh sits in the bleachers watching baseball games or fly fishing. When time permits, he upland bird hunts or competes in field trials with his German Shorthaired Pointers, Butch and Waco.
We are committed to providing the highest quality of clinical care and personalized service in a warm and compassionate atmosphere. Dr. Rickabaugh and our staff enjoy getting to know each patient and the family, and love creating relationships that last multiple generations.
For most people, achieving a healthy, beautiful smile is the reason for receiving orthodontic care. If you're self-conscious about your smile, correcting your concerns with braces will greatly improve the way you look and feel.
When your treatment is complete, you will have the smile you've always dreamed of and the confidence to show it off! We also want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire orthodontic experience, and our practice is dedicated to making sure that you receive the quality care you deserve.
Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to the proper position.
Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can now choose clear or metal brackets and, in some cases, the color of your appliance. Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials are designed to move teeth faster with more comfort. Today, any age is a great age to wear braces!
Treatment time varies and can last between one and three years, depending on several factors including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is. A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a quicker treatment time.