James A. Gainer, DDS
Dr. James A. Gainer is a general dentist with years of training and experience in a vast array of dental procedures. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School, one of the best schools in the country. Since graduating with his DDS degree in 1984, he has performed general dentistry while continuing his education with several postgraduate courses in different fields of dentistry. Dr. Gainer provided caring and precise dental care at his former practice in Lexington Park, Maryland, from 1992 until selling his practice to relocate to North Carolina in 2011. Since February 14, 2011, Dr. Gainer has been providing the residents of Wilmington, North Carolina, with the same great dental care.
Dr. Gainer is married to Lisa Gainer, and they have two children, Clark and Madi.
Dr. Gainer emphasizes the comfort of each individual and is thorough in explaining his procedures to further ease his patients. His approach to your treatment begins with patiently listening to your concerns. After a complete examination, he reviews and discusses the diagnosis and treatment options with you. He realizes the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dentistry and continues his education accordingly. This continued development enables him to provide his patients with the best quality of care in the field. Dr. Gainer has a wide range of experience in several different areas of dentistry, from cosmetic and restorative dentistry to root canals and implant crowns. He is considered a preferred Invisalign® dentist and is able to straighten the whole family’s teeth without the discomfort or bulky appearance of braces.
Adrian LePendu, DDS
Dr. Adrian LePendu entered the dental field at the age of 17 as a dental assistant in the Army Reserve. This commenced his love of dentistry, and he continued to the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry on a Navy scholarship program. Upon graduation in 2004, he was elected to the Tau Kappa Omega Honor Society and then served in the Navy for three years. During his Naval career, he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency and became the solo dentist on the forward-deployed USS Harpers Ferry out of Sasebo, Japan. His favorite part of the Navy was providing the troops with the care they deserved and the opportunity to provide dental care to impoverished areas of the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia.
Dr. LePendu is married to Christine, and they have two boys, Andre and Lucas. He and his family have enjoyed the last eight years in the beautiful outdoors of Colorado with skiing and snowboarding, biking, hiking and climbing. He also enjoys volleyball, home improvement, motorcycles and working on his ’68 VW. Dr. LePendu and his family have always dreamed of living by the ocean and feel Wilmington will be a perfect fit for them.
William Watt, DDS
Dr. William Watt was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where he spent most of his time with his two siblings on the soccer field and playing in the woods. After high school, he attended the University of Evansville in Southern Indiana, where he studied graphic design. During this time, he became aware of the world of dentistry and was intrigued by the “little art projects in peoples mouths”. Realizing that dentistry was a combination of science, biology, art and personal interactions, he launched himself at the opportunity to study a profession that combined so many of his interests.
He attended the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, the top rated dental program in the country, and then began his dental career with the United States Navy. Dr. Watt served at Camp Lejeune for four years, completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency where he was able to learn from expert dental specialists to enhance the care to his patients. During the four years of treating Marines and Sailors, Dr. Watt fell in love with North Carolina and decided to stay in the Wilmington area.
Dedicated to all aspects of oral health, Dr. Watt especially values his time spent with patients. It is his goal to initiate conversations about dental health that make patients feel comfortable, allowing them to guide their own treatment with confidence. It is Dr. Watt’s passion to combine art, science and experience to provide high quality, aesthetic dental work that lasts.
In his spare time, Dr. Watt enjoys being outside. Surfing is his life outside of work (please do not get him started talking about waves, or he might not leave the room). But he also enjoys seeing live music, playing pickleball and tennis, biking, and traveling. On quieter nights or rainy days, he enjoys watching a movie, housework and art projects.
Teresa, Office Administrator
Teresa’s dental career began in 1981 after earning a degree in dental assisting at UNC School of Dentistry. After 13 years as a dental assistant, she was promoted to dental office manager. Her passion is to help patients save their teeth and to achieve beautiful smiles. Her expertise is working with Insurance and financing to help make dentistry affordable for patients. Teresa continues to expand her Dental Education through the Dental Office Managers Organization (AADOM). She has received her FAADOM Fellowship which keeps her on track for changing dental trends and new technologies. Teresa and her husband, Pat, have two beautiful daughters, Melody and Crystal, and their entire family love playing golf together in her spare time. Teresa and Pat are expecting their first Grandchild in November 2023.
Diane, Insurance Coordinator
A native of Brunswick County, Diane is an insurance coordinator at our front desk, bringing over 30 years of experience to our office. Her previous experience as an assistant has been very beneficial in dealing with insurance companies and helping our patients maximize their insurance benefits so they can achieve and maintain a beautiful smile! Diane has two daughters and is a proud nana of four wonderful grandchildren.
Ashley, Patient Care Coordinator
Check back soon to meet Ashley!
Kacie, Patient Care Coordinator
Kacie is a North Carolina native and has lived in Wilmington since 2015. Kacie earned her degree in medical office administration coding and billing from Cape Fear Community College. She joined our practice in May 2019 and has sincerely loved getting to know our patients and helping them achieve their best smile. When Kacie is not at work, she enjoys boating, hunting and traveling with her husband, Hunter, and their Labrador Retrievers, Rue and Kanga.
Anne, Dental Hygienist
Anne’s dental career began in 2003. After earning a certificate in dental assisting, she proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. Her goal since joining Wrightsville Dental in 2011 has been to provide quality dental care to all her patients. When she is not seeing her patients, Anne enjoys spending time with her husband, cooking, hiking, photography and exploring quaint towns.
Charlene, Dental Hygienist
Charlene is a dental hygienist at the best dental clinic in Wilmington and has been with Dr. Gainer since he began his practice in Wilmington. With more than 30 years of experience, she would say, “If you love what you do, then you will never work a day.” Listening to patients discuss their wants and needs and helping them make decisions to achieve healthy and attractive smiles is always rewarding. During her free time, Charlene enjoys boating and travel with her husband and two children.
Gena, Dental Hygienist
Gena is a North Carolina native. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from UNCW, she attended CFCC to become a dental hygienist. She has more than 15 years of experience practicing dental hygiene. Gena appreciates that dentistry is based upon scientific knowledge and clinical studies. She does her best to stay informed about the latest findings and apply them as she helps clients to obtain optimal oral health. Her clients find her to be highly competent, conscientious and gentle.
Jehnel, Dental Hygienist
Jehnel was born and raised in Middle, Tennessee. After high school, she served four years in the Army and then five years in the Army Reserve. She then received her dental hygiene degree from Erie Community College in Buffalo, New York. Jehnel is married with two children. She moved to Wilmington in 1997 seeking sunshine and blue skies.
Jehnel joined Wrightsville Dental in May of 2020 and has stated, “I am very happy and thankful to be a member of such a wonderful dental practice.” Her favorite activities consist of treasure hunting at thrift stores, spending time with family and friends, visiting Disney World, and going to the beach.
Karen, Dental Hygienist
Karen has been a Dental Hygienist for over 38 years, practicing in New York, California, Indiana and now in Wilmington NC. She loves getting to know her patients and helping them achieve great oral health, which in turn helps them achieve better over all health. She loves the Wilmington community, enjoys all the wonderful outdoor activities the coast has to offer and loves spending time with her partner, Ryan, and her 2 sons and daughter in law.
Grace, Certified Dental Assistant
Grace started working at Wrightsville Dental with her twin sister Rachel, after graduating the accredited CFCC Dental Assisting Program in 2018. She has become a seasoned assistant working and learning alongside the remarkable doctors at our practice. Raised in Wilmington, Grace grew to love dentistry after undergoing orthodontic treatment. Outside of work Grace enjoys spending time with family and her three cats Kyzer, Pickle and Pia-Papaya. She is always down for a new adventure and traveling to new destinations.
Rachel, Certified Dental Assistant
Rachel joined Wrightsville Dental during clinical rotations and graduated from the dental assisting program at CFCC in August 2018. Rachel chose to be a dental assistant from the years of kindness she received through dental visits and wants to give the same kind of care to her patients. Rachel enjoys exploring new places and spending time with her fur babies.
Skylar, Certified Dental Assistant
Skylar is a North Carolina native who graduated from Miller-Motte College as a certified dental assistant. She is dedicated to making patients feel comfortable and providing quality dental care. Outside of work she loves spending time with her boyfriend and her family, fishing and traveling.
Ginger, Dental Assistant
Ginger is a seasoned dental assistant who has enjoyed assisting for over 20 years. She is a very caring assistant with a bubbly personality who loves entertaining her patients and working with families.
Ginger is married and has a daughter. She and her family enjoy spending time together skiing in Utah and Colorado.
Jessica, Dental Assistant
Jessica is from Richmond, Virginia, where she began her dental assisting career in 2008. She has been in Wilmington the last five years and loves calling this fun coastal town home. She enjoys helping patients achieve beautiful smiles that make them feel smore confident in themselves. In her free time, Jessica enjoys being outdoors, attending concerts and spending time with her two fur babies.