About

Dr. Jim Rutledge, DDS, MAGD

Jim Rutledge grew up near the cities of Richmond, Virginia and Atlanta, Georgia, deciding at an early age to go into dentistry. After finishing his Biology Degree at William and Mary, he completed his dental training at the Medical College of Virginia, where he met and then married Carolyn in 1981.

Following the General Practice Residency at Fort Benning, Georgia, Jim and Carolyn headed to exciting adventures with the Army in West Berlin, Germany where they lived a few yards from the Berlin Wall. Stationed back at Fort Story here in Virginia Beach, they settled down and he joined his practice here on Pleasure House Road.

Jim has had a great passion for lifelong learning, completing advanced education with cosmetic, reconstructive dentistry and comprehensive care. His career highlights were the achievement of the Fellowship and Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD); he completed the entire curriculum under the internationally renowned Dr. John Kois in Seattle. Jim has significant experience in predictable prosthodontic (missing teeth replacement) care. He was recently selected to be the local restorative advisor to the Seattle Study Club here in Tidewater. Jim is a member of the ADA, the Tidewater Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the National Study Club, and the Safety Harbor Study Club.

Jim and Carolyn, a professor at Old Dominion University and Family Nurse Practitioner at EVMS, have proudly raised their two sons, Michael and Carson, here in Virginia Beach. Michael is a business entrepreneur in Vienna, Virginia and Carson is a pediatric dentist in Charlotte. This year, Michael and his wife Shannon blessed Jim and Carolyn with their first grandchild Kylie.

Tabetha House, RDH

Tabetha joined our dental family in March 2022. She graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Dental Hygiene from Old Dominion University, where she was the first person in her family to go to college and obtain a degree. As you can imagine, her family is very proud of her accomplishments. Some accomplishments include being a part of the cheerleading team at ODU and winning the National Championship in 2017, receiving the community impact award scholarship her senior year, and graduating college with honors. Tab brings a lot of positivity and encouragement to the office, which reflects in her patient care. Tabetha has a passion for patient education and comfort when they see her for their dental hygiene needs. When you see Tab in the office, you will feel confident that she has a smile on under her mask!
Why did she choose our dental home to be hers? Tab answers, “It felt like a very natural connection. I love the passion this whole office brings not only to dental care, but to the overall health and quality of life of their patients. I am so grateful and very excited to be a part of such a knowledgeable and well established team.”

Outside of the office, Tabetha loves community involvement and is an advocate for inclusion. She enjoys anything outdoors from snowboarding, to water skiing, and especially camping. Flex is her 6 year old fur baby, and can be found along her side in most of her adventures. Tab just bought a house across from Ocean View Beach, so on the weekends you can find her walking Flex up and down the beach and making Norfolk their new home.

Stacey Kirk, Health Relationship Coordinator and Dental Assistant

Stacey is originally from Wappingers Falls, New York in the Hudson Valley region. Prior to moving to Virginia Beach in 2002 with her two sons, she had lived in North Carolina, Maryland and California. Her oldest son, Garrett, graduated from Longwood University in 2017. Her youngest son, Ryan, graduated from high school in 2018 and began his college education in the Fall of 2018.

Stacey attended Dental Assisting school in Maryland, and has continued to succeed with many years of experience in general, cosmetic and orthodontic dentistry. She joined the practice in 2008. Since the, she has had the opportunity to add both advanced lab skills and becoming the Health Relationship Coordinator (HRC) for the practice. As an HRC, Stacey meets with new patients as they enter the practice and enjoys developing in depth relationships to help understand their needs and desires. Her role as a dental assistant provides her the skills to navigate, explain and ensure that patients are comfortable going through treatment.

When Stacey is not being an amazing team player in the office, she enjoys spending time with her boys, working on her house, reading, woodworking, going to the beach, and traveling whenever she can!

Susan Sutton, Certified Dental Assistant and Front Desk Coordinator

Susan is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She currently resides in Virginia Beach with her husband, Paul. They have two sons, Kyle and Wyatt. Her oldest son, Kyle, married his wife Tiff in April of 2017. She gained her most honored title yet in October of 2018 when her first grandson, Parker, was born.

Susan graduated from Cox High School in Virginia Beach in 1984. Following graduation, she completed the dental assisting program at Old Dominion University. Susan joined our practice in 1985 and has been a ray of sunshine at our front desk ever since. Her duties include personalizing patient appointment scheduling, fielding patient phone calls and keeping our front office running smoothly in every way.

When Susan is not enjoying time with her grandson Parker, she likes to garden, swim and go antique collecting. Susan and her family also enjoy the company of their yellow lab named Mabel.

Erica Hoover, RDH

erica, hygienist


Erica is passionate about her role as a dental hygienist. She graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Technology with an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene in 2016. Two years later, she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.  Erica has been actively involved in dental hygiene in both the clinical setting as well as through community service.  Her service activities have included a dental related mission trip to the Dominican Republic, a continuing education course that she created and taught to other dental professionals, and an educational program for elementary school children on healthy choices for their mouths.

Erica understands that each patient and their needs are unique and strives to provide the most thorough, comfortable, and personalized care.  When you are in her chair, she will treat you like family. She enjoys learning and sharing new information with her patients and is always open to questions. She seeks to understand each person and their concern.

In addition to being a dental hygienist, Erica’s most important roles are wife and mom. She is married to her wonderful husband Tyler and together they have an adorable little two-year old girl named Ava. When Erica isn’t at the office, she is spending time with her family, relaxing at the beach, or working on growing her craft business, Casually Elegant LLC.

Erica is excited to call this office her new dental home! She chose to work here because she believes in the high quality of care and dentistry that Dr. Rutledge and the team provides for their patients. She is grateful to be a part of a team that provides custom, comfortable, and comprehensive care and values the relationship built with each patient through continued collaboration and trust.

How Can We Help You?

Dentist in Virginia Beach

Our dental office in Virginia Beach provides a variety of services, including cosmetic restorative, and preventive dentistry. We are experts is developing custom solutions for the most complex dental problems and concerns.

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What Our Clients Are Saying

Dentist in Virginia Beach

Phyllis W.

First visit I was warmly greeted by staff and Dr. My hygienist took time to know me and my concerns. She was very experienced and good at what she does. Thank you Karen! See you next time!

- Phyllis W.

Jennifer Roberts

Dr. Rutledge and his staff are both professional and kind. They are extremely welcoming and personable. I feel very confident in their abilities of providing excellent dental care, and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a dentist in the area

- Jennifer Roberts

Deborah C.

Very understanding and patient. Spent a lot of time getting to know me before ever looking in my mouth. I’m going back to take care of the problems I’ve let linger for far too long.

- Deborah C.

*Smiles pictured thanks to our actual patients.

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Dentist in Virginia Beach

James Rutledge Dentistry | 2025 Pleasure House Rd. | Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Phone: (757) 464-0271