by Leslie-Anne Fitzpatrick, DMD, MPH
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It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, the Solstice Smiles Dental team and I embarked on our journey to open Petworth’s premiere dental practice to serve the communities of Petworth, Columbia Heights, Park View, Brightwood and the DC metro area.

The journey to open Solstice Smiles Dental was a long and bumpy one, particularly due to the effects of the pandemic that set us back in multiple ways. However, with determination and perseverance, we were able to build up our dental practice over the past two years and create a community where people understand the importance of their oral health.

At Solstice Smiles Dental, we offer our patients comprehensive general and cosmetic dentistry and we have equipped our office with state-of-the-art technology to provide our patients with the best dental experience. Many people don’t realize that their overall health is directly connected to their oral health, so it’s extremely important to take care of your teeth with regular check ups and professional cleanings at our friendly Petworth dental practice. If you have any worries about your oral health or have anxiety about visiting the dentist, our kind and understanding team will ensure you are comfortable with your experience every step of the way.

During this transformative season I’ve spent time reflecting on the many smile transformations we have accomplished through our restorative and cosmetic dentistry, with treatments such as dental implants, Invisalign treatment, teeth whitening, and veneers. It has truly been an honor to see patients leave with such a big smile from our Petworth practice.

Enjoying the Celebrate Petworth Festival on Upshur Street

One of my favorite times of year is during the annual Celebrate Petworth Festival, as it allows me to spend time with the community and understand what people’s needs and concerns are and take this feedback to the dental practice. This allows us to ensure we do everything to best accommodate the needs of our patients. We see patients of all ages and one thing I always tell my older patients is that it’s never too late to improve the health of your teeth. My team and I will create a custom treatment plan that suits your needs and gives you the smile of your dreams. Our patients always say that they wish they hadn’t delayed treatment as the benefits are so great.

The past two years have been extremely fulfilling, serving my local community and ensuring our patients have healthy smiles they are proud of, and I highly encourage 2024 to be the year you invest in your oral health and make sure you come to visit our amazing office in the heart of Petworth.

Make an appointment today at Solstice Smiles Dental!

About Dr. Fitzpatrick (Dr. Fitz)

*Dr. Fitz and her family are very connected to her Petworth community (photo courtesy of Solstice Smiles Dental)*

Dr. Fitz grew up in Trinidad & Tobago, a twin island republic in the Caribbean, and moved to the United States when she was just 18 years old to pursue her undergraduate degree at Columbia University. Inspired by her parents and family, Dr. Fitz always knew that she wanted to improve lives however she could. Dr. Fitz was inspired to enter dentistry due to her love for and desire to combine art with science.

Dr. Fitz completed her undergraduate studies in Environmental Sciences and a minor in French, all while being a varsity field hockey player, then went on to earn her Master's degree in Public Health from Columbia University. She pursued her goal of becoming a dentist by attending one of the nation’s top rated dental schools, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. After graduating, she completed a General Practice Residency at Howard University Hospital. This was a major accomplishment given the fact that Black dentists in the US are significantly underrepresented and make up only 3.8% of the dental workforce (2020).

Outside of the dental office, Dr. Fitz and her family are very much a part of the Petworth community and you will likely see her at the farmers’ market, local gym, supermarket, restaurants and coffee shops. You’ll also almost always find her at the local park with her young kids.

With the education, skills and experience she has, and the desire to create positive change, Dr. Fitz decided to open her own practice here in Petworth.

Solstice Smiles Dental Practice
3900 Kansas Avenue NW, Suite T-2
solsticesmiles.com
(202) 983-5500