Dr. Franklin Wheelock

"The best part of my job is watching people grow and learn to smile all over again."

Education

Dr. Wheelock started his academic career as a military brat, growing up all over the United States and Europe. Finishing high school in Wahiawa, Hawaii, he attended the University of Hawaii where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Zoology. Next came four years of dental school at VCU's Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, where he graduated in the top 10% of his class with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). Following dental school, he completed a four-year internship and residency at MCV in oral and maxillofacial surgery. After two years of private practice, he re-entered the Medical College of Virginia where he earned his Doctorate of Medicine (MD). To complete his journey, Dr. Wheelock attended Baylor University in Dallas, Texas earning his Masters of Science (MS) in Oral Biology and completed a two-year fellowship in orthodontics. After 17 years, four degrees and two specialty licenses, Dr. Wheelock finally entered the practice of orthodontics in Roanoke, Virginia, in 1989 and has not looked back.

In the Practice

He has seen many changes over the years, but his dedication to learning, providing a caring environment and state-of-the art treatment to each patient has provided a fun and rewarding to receive your orthodontics.

In an effort to keep up with an ever-changing world of technology and world of advances in orthodontic care, Dr. Wheelock regularly attends training and education seminars. He is board certified in orthodontics and in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

He is also an active member of several organizations which include:

• American Dental Association
• American Association of Orthodontics
• American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Southeast Association of Orthodontics
• Virginia Association of Orthodontics
• Virginia Dental Association
• Roanoke Valley Dental Society
• Roanoke Valley Orthodontic Society
• Schulman Study Group
• Baylor Orthodontic Alumni Association

Family Life

He has been married to Lydia Wheelock, a local pharmacist, since 1987, and they have enjoyed raising their three children: John, Ann Franklin and Paul, as well as traveling the US and the world. In his spare time, Dr. Wheelock enjoys anything associated with flight, (he earned his private pilot's license), book collecting and learning (Dr. Wheelock has never met a book he doesn't like).

Fortunately, his wife is better at taking care of their yard than he is.

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