Our practice started in the summer of 1961 when Dr. Bob Wilkinson graduated from UNC School of Dentistry and moved back to his hometown, Winston-Salem. Dr. Bob associated with Dr. Mendenhall, an established older dentist on the second floor of the Nissen Building in downtown Winston-Salem. As the practice grew, Dr. Wilkinson moved to 275 Executive Park Boulevard off of Stratford Road in 1969. By 1975, Dr. Bob relocated to a newly renovated space at 360 Forsyth Medical Park, near Medical Park and Forsyth Hospitals.

Dr. Robert Wilkinson, Jr., joined in 1988 and the two dentists moved to another larger facility at Forsyth Medical Park in 1989 where they enjoyed a larger and successful practice environment. Dr. Bob began part-time work in 2007 and eventually retired in 2009. He continues to work when he is needed today. Dr. Wilkinson enjoyed the years spent working with his mentor and dad but knew it was time to move to a newer up-to-date space.

After looking for several years, he finally found the correct location right at Peace Haven Road near Robinhood Road. He knew that the combination of a new state of the art facility in a very convenient location could spell success. The new location opened in October 2012. Many new technologies including CEREC single visit crowns are now possible.

Dr. Wilkinson really enjoys working in the new facility but knew that he needed more help. Fortunately, Dr. Wilkinson met Dr. Francis Houston Symmes, III, also a UNC School of Dentistry graduate and Winston-Salem native. Dr. Symmes had been practicing near Charlotte for the past four years and was ready to relocate his family to Winston-Salem. Having very similar practice philosophies as Dr. Wilkinson meant that Dr. Symmes was a natural to help carry on the Wilkinson tradition. Dr. Symmes started full time in the office in August 2015. His strengths complement Dr. Wilkinsons as he enjoys all phases of restorative dentistry but has a special interest in extractions, dental implants, root canals, and minor tooth movement with Invisalign. Certainly, Dr. Wilkinson and Dr. Symmes are poised to meet the future dental needs of our areas patients.

Dr. Robert Wilkinson feels like he was born to be a dentist. In fact, as the son of a dentist, Dr. Wilkinson knows all about the ins and outs of being a dentist. At the age of five, he wanted to open a dental office with a car repair shop in the basement. Sadly the car business never materialized but Dr. Wilkinson has fulfilled his dream of being a dentist in a great way. Dr. Wilkinson was born in Winston-Salem in the middle of his dads first year in practice. He went to R. J. Reynolds High School and graduated from the University of North Carolina. He continued his education at UNC and graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1988. Dr. Wilkinson moved back to Winston-Salem to begin his practice at Peace Haven Family Dentistry as a Dentist with his mentor and father, Dr. Bob Wilkinson.

Dr. Wilkinson is married to Montine and they have two college-age children. He enjoys his dental practice immensely and is very active at Home Moravian Church where he has served as an usher, diener, and on the Boards of Elders and Trustees. When Dr. Wilkinson isnt working, he and Montine enjoy working on their home and shopping for antiques. One day Dr. Wilkinson hopes to find a classic car!

Q: Whats the funniest thing thats happened to you in your professional dental career? A: An elderly patient came in for a complicated sessions of fillings. She told us that she wasnt feeling too good and didnt think that she looked good. My assistant and I reassured her that she looked fine and we began our procedures. Halfway through, the patients wig fell off and we just gave it to her and she put it in her lap. When she was ready to leave, we helped get her put back together and put her wig back on. She said she never looked better because she had been wearing her wig backwards for years! And all it took was a new filling from me!

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a dentist? A: I knew I wanted to be a dentist when I was 5 years old; I wanted to have a combination dental office and car repair shop in Clemmons; I did become a dentist but the car repair idea is still a dream!

Q: What do you like most about the dental profession? A: I enjoy seeing different patients and helping each one with their unique problems. It is very fulfilling to see patients make progress and see them smile!

Q: What are some of your interests outside the office? Volunteer/hobbies? A: I enjoy cooking (and eating!) and have taken classes to learn how to make a special Mexican dinner; In addition, I am very involved in the activities of Home Moravian Church.

Dr. Houston Symmes was born and raised in Winston Salem, NC. He attended R. J. Reynolds High School and went on to North Carolina State University where he majored in Biology and graduated valedictorian in 2006. Dr. Symmes then attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for dental school, graduating in 2011 and began practicing dentistry in Charlotte. In 2015, Dr. Symmes and his wife, Bethany, moved back to Winston-Salem, and Dr. Wilkinson and Symmes teamed up to create what is now Peace Haven Family Dentistry.The Symmes are thrilled to be back in Winston-Salem, where Mrs. Symmes practices residential real estate and takes care of their daughter, Catherine, and son, Henry. In his free time, Dr. Symmes enjoys spending time with his family and friends and is an avid aviation enthusiast. He stays current with all phases of general dentistry and is a member of the American Dental Society, North Carolina Dental Society, and Forsyth County Dental Society. He is also an active member of the Spear Study Club.

Q: Whats the funniest thing thats happened to you in your professional dental career? A: One time when I was checking a patients teeth, I stood up thinking I was finished. The patient asked another question and when I went to sit back down to take a look, the hygienist had already moved the chair and I fell backwards on the floor. The only thing everyone in the room could do including myself was start to laugh!

Q: Were you ever afraid of the dentist? Why/Why not? A: I remember when I was a kid and had to get a couple of teeth extracted. I remember being very afraid to the point where the dentist had to tell me to be still. Before I knew it he was done and the teeth were out! I couldnt believe it!

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a dentist? A: I always wanted to be an airline pilot growing up. When I got to college I excelled in the sciences and decided to go into something in the medical field. I chose dentistry because I liked working with my hands and helping people!

Q: What are some of your interests outside the office? Volunteer/hobbies? A: Outside of the office I love spending time with friends and family. My wife Bethany and I have a beautiful little girl named Catherine and a little dog named Twiggy. I volunteer at the Community Care Clinic for the underprivileged. I also have a passion for aviation and use it as an excuse to fly anywhere I can!

Dr. Becherer grew up in Chapel Hill, NC and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for her undergraduate degree in Chemistry. After graduation, she worked as a dental assistant in Manhattan for a year while she applied to dental school. She returned to UNC for her Doctor of Dental Surgery, where she developed her clinical skills, graduated with honors, and was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. She also conducted research, took supplemental courses in public health, helped run the SHAC free dental clinic, and volunteered in many capacities.

After dental school, Dr. Becherer completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Her focus is helping her patients have healthy, functional, and confident smiles throughout each stage of life. Dr. Becherer met her husband, Tripp, at UNC School of Dentistry and they were married in Sylva, NC in 2017. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the North Carolina Dental Society, the Academy of General Dentistry, and Forsyth County Dental Society.

Q: Whats one thing a new patient would be surprised to know about you? A: In dental school, students sit in alphabetical order in the simulation lab where we do our first fillings and crowns on manikins. How lucky am I that my soulmates last name is Bartholomew!? My husband, Tripp, sat right next to me in lab. We started dating in our first year and were married before graduation.

Q: Were you ever afraid of the dentist? Why/Why not? A: Never! Ive had fillings, gum surgery, and lots of orthodontic treatment and I have only had positive experiences. I appreciate how these dentists treated me and I strive to treat my own patients with the same level of care.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a dentist? A: I was supposedly telling people in middle school that I was going to be an orthodontist. Ive stayed on track to become a dentist ever since, although I decided to pursue general dentistry instead of specializing.

Q: Why should I go to you for my dental care? A: I am compassionate, gentle and always have your best interest at heart. I recently completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at VCU in Richmond where I gained additional training in complex restorative treatment. I bring these skills and expertise to my patients at Peace Haven Family Dentistry.

Q: Whats your dental philosophy? A: The best dentistry is comprehensive yet conservative its the least amount of treatment needed to restore health, chewing ability, and esthetics. In fact, I believe prevention is the best approach to oral health. That said, when treatment is necessary, I aim to provide restorative treatment that is long-lasting and predictable to address each patients unique needs.

Q: What are some of your interests outside the office? Volunteer/hobbies? A: I love traveling, hiking, and trying new restaurants and breweries with my husband. I am obsessed with our retired racing greyhound, Leroy. I also enjoy crafts of all kinds Ive dabbled in everything from pottery to woodburning and my newest hobby is quilting. I have always volunteered as much as I can. As a new resident in Winston-Salem, I am looking forward to being involved and giving back to my community.