Convenient Access from Forest Hill
Parents comparing a dentist near Forest Hill will find Murry & Kuhn Dentistry about 19 minutes away, on Patterson Avenue in Richmond's West End. It is a real crosstown drive over the James, not a run around the corner, so we help families make each appointment count. Kids' checkups, sports mouthguards, clear aligners and cosmetic care all happen in one office.
Starting at Forest Hill Park, take W 41st St to Forest Hill Ave and follow it to the Powhite Pkwy (VA 76), which is a toll road. The parkway crosses the river and becomes I-195, and the N Thompson St exit brings you to Patterson Ave (VA 6). This way covers about 8.4 miles in about 19 minutes. Without the toll, go west on Forest Hill Ave to Chippenham Pkwy, cross the Huguenot Bridge on Huguenot Rd, then use River Rd and Three Chopt Rd to reach Patterson Ave in about 22 minutes and 9.4 miles.
You will find us at 7110 Patterson Ave C, Richmond, VA 23229, and the Murry & Kuhn Google Maps page shows live directions from your street. Families in Westover Hills and Carytown have their own route pages as well.
A Practice Ready for Busy Forest Hill Families
Life in this City of Richmond neighborhood tends to revolve around its namesake park. The grounds were once a quarry, then an estate and later an amusement park, and today they hold the historic Stone House, a restored lake, tennis courts, a playground and walking and jogging trails. The South of the James Farmers Market sets up there for much of the year. It is a place where kids run, climb, swing rackets and occasionally take a tumble.
That active streak is why sports mouthguards and prompt care for chipped teeth come up often with families from this part of town. A custom-fitted guard is more comfortable than a boil-and-bite version, so kids are more likely to wear it. Our dentists also keep an eye on how young mouths are developing, so crowding gets noticed early.
Because the drive takes about 19 to 22 minutes, booking brothers and sisters back to back on one afternoon is worth doing. Neighbors in Woodland Heights and Forest View face the same choice of river crossings. Appointments run Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with the office closed each Friday.
Smart Dental Habits for Forest Hill Kids and Parents
Most of what protects a child's teeth happens at home: brushing twice a day, flossing once the teeth touch and keeping sugary drinks for special occasions. Professional cleanings twice a year remove what brushing misses, and fluoride treatments strengthen enamel while it is still maturing. Sealants on the back molars add another layer of protection during the cavity-prone school years.
Parents deserve the same attention. Forest Hill adults often juggle work, school runs and house projects, and their own checkups can slip. A cleaning booked at the same time as the kids' visits solves that problem in one stop. An oral cancer screening and a look at older fillings can happen in that same appointment.
For grown-ups who want a brighter smile, teeth whitening is available in the office in about an hour or with custom take-home trays used over one to two weeks. Either way, our dentists check for cavities and gum problems first.
Teens are a group of their own. Braces-age crowding, sports injuries and new habits like energy drinks all show up between middle school and graduation. Regular visits through those years keep small issues from turning into bigger repairs, and they give teenagers a chance to ask questions without a parent answering for them.
Choosing a Dentist Near Forest Hill: Our Core Services
Family Dentistry
Cleanings, exams, digital x-rays, sealants, fluoride, sports mouthguards and nightguards. The service covers toddlers on their first visit through grandparents, so a whole household can be seen in one place.
Invisalign® Clear Aligners
Removable aligners for teens and adults, planned with iTero 3D scans. Aligners come out for sports practice and meals, which suits active kids who would rather avoid fixed hardware.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Bonding for small chips, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns and ZOOM® whitening. Digital imaging gives you a preview of the result before treatment starts, which helps parents who chipped a front tooth years ago decide how to fix it.
Restorative Dentistry
Composite fillings, root canal therapy, crowns, bridges and extractions. When a playground fall or a stray ball breaks a tooth, these are the repairs that rebuild it.
Meet Your Patterson Avenue Dentists
Your family will see Dr. Donald Murry III, Dr. Ryan Gaffner and Dr. Jessica Vellucci, the dentists on our Patterson Avenue team. Dr. Gaffner grew up in Burke, Virginia, studied biological sciences at Virginia Tech and earned his DDS at VCU. Dr. Vellucci's Virginia Tech degree in Nutrition & Exercise Science informs the diet and prevention advice she gives growing families.
Insurance, Wellness Plan & Financing
Our team handles insurance claims to help you get the most from your benefits, and you receive a clear cost breakdown before any treatment. For families without coverage, the in-house Wellness Plan includes two preventive visits a year for each member. Details on cards, checks and financing are on our finance and insurance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Murry & Kuhn Dentistry from Forest Hill, and how do I get there?
The office is about 8.4 miles from Forest Hill, about a 19-minute drive using the tolled Powhite Pkwy. From the park, take W 41st St and Forest Hill Ave to the parkway, then I-195 to N Thompson St and Patterson Ave. Families who want a dentist near Forest Hill without paying a toll can cross the Huguenot Bridge instead in about 22 minutes.
Does my child need a dentist-made mouthguard, or will a drugstore guard do?
For most active kids, yes. A custom sports mouthguard is made to your child's own teeth, so it fits snugly, stays in place during play and makes talking and breathing easier than a bulky boil-and-bite guard. Kids are more likely to wear a guard that feels comfortable, and we can remake it as their mouth grows.
How often should my kids have a professional cleaning?
Twice a year is the usual rhythm for children's cleanings and exams. Those visits remove hardened plaque that brushing misses, let our dentists spot early cavities, and give us a chance to apply fluoride or sealants when needed. Some kids with a higher cavity risk benefit from more frequent visits, and we will tell you if that applies.
How much longer is the toll-free drive from Forest Hill?
The toll-free route takes about three minutes longer, roughly 22 minutes instead of 19. It follows Forest Hill Ave west to Chippenham Pkwy, crosses the Huguenot Bridge on Huguenot Rd, then uses River Rd and Three Chopt Rd to reach Patterson Ave. Rush hour adds time on both routes, so leave extra room before an 8:00 AM visit.
Can you help with jaw pain or a jaw that clicks?
Yes, TMD treatment is one of the services listed under our family dentistry care. Our dentists examine the jaw joints, bite and muscles to look for causes such as clenching or grinding. Depending on what they find, a custom nightguard may ease the strain on the joint while you sleep, and we will explain each option before starting.
Schedule Your Visit from Forest Hill
Reach our front desk at 804-369-9043 to plan a visit with a dentist near Forest Hill, or book online in a few minutes. The areas we serve page lists every neighborhood we welcome, and the Dentist Richmond, VA page has more about the Patterson office.