Meet Our Team
Our Doctors
John M. Richards, D.D.S., M.S., P.A.
Board Certified in Orthodontics
Dr. Richards graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland. He then attended the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery for four years graduating at the top 5% of his class. He then completed a hospital residency at University Hospital with special emphasis on oral surgery and cleft lip and palate treatment. This training was all in preparation for a three-year orthodontic residency which he completed at the University of Maryland in 1991.
Dr. Richards moved to the Southwest Florida area with his family and has been practicing orthodontics in Lee County for the past 30 years. He is a past President of both the Lee County Dental Society and the Florida Association of Orthodontists where he has maintained constant memberships. Other memberships include the Florida Dental Association, the American Dental Association and the Florida Cleft Lip and Palate Association. Additionally, he has been an important part of the Lee County Cleft Lip and Palate Team since 1991 where his participation has been rewarding treating patients both locally and on his Central America Mission trips.
Dr. Richards lives in Fort Myers with his wife Kimberley and together they have raised five children: Whitney, Kelly, Tyler, Krystal and Olivia. He loves sunny Southwest Florida and all it has to offer. He also loves practicing orthodontics and plans to continue helping people smile in southwest Florida for a long time!
Whitney Richards, D.D.S.
We are delighted to announce the addition of Dr. Whitney A Richards as our new Associate Orthodontist. We are honored to welcome her to our team, allowing us to continue providing the exceptional orthodontic care our community has come to trust.
Dr Richards is a Southwest Florida native who grew up right here in our practice, assisting her father, Dr. John M Richards. She is a proud graduate of Bishop Verot High School (2007), she went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida State University (2012) and a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science from Barry University (2018). She then completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the University of Maryland (2022), followed by a three-year Orthodontic residency at the Georgia School of Orthodontics.
While in residency, Dr. Richards and her husband, Benjamin Briar, welcomed two beautiful daughters, Lily and Josie. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and is thrilled to be back home in Fort Myers, where she looks forward to serving her community and enjoying all that Southwest Florida has to offer.
Dr Richards is an active member of the Florida Dental Association, American Dental Association, Southern Association of Orthodontists, and the American Association of Orthodontists. She is exceptionally well-trained and eager to bring her skill, compassion, and expertise to our patients.
Please join us in giving Dr Richards a warm welcome to our orthodontic family. We are truly grateful for the trust you place in us and remain committed to creating beautiful, confident smiles for years to come.
Our Staff
As team members, we all share Dr. Richard’s vision for making beautiful smiles and are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We aim to provide an energetic and fun-loving atmosphere for every patient while putting their needs first to achieve efficient, comprehensive treatment and exceptional results.
Every staff member is well trained and proficient in their respective field, and many have been with us for several years, which allows us to create that family feeling for our patients. Members of our team have Orthodontic Expanded Functions and X-ray certifications. We aim to stay abreast of the latest technological advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.
Fonda
Office Manager
Fonda’s love for orthodontics started when she was in braces as a teenager. Seeing the change in her smile is what inspired her to pursue a career in orthodontics starting her Senior year of high school. Watching the changes in patients is still the highlight of her day. As the saying goes “Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life”.
She recently joined our team as the Administrative Manager. She gives special thanks to Nicki for reaching out to her when this position became available. ” From the minute I walked into the office , on my first day, this amazing team made me feel so very welcomed. No new person transition butterflies”. Dr Richards has put together an amazing team that works together to create beautiful smiles!
In her spare time, when she is not video chatting with her two granddaughters that live out of state, she enjoys reading, traveling, crafting and relaxing with her husband and fur baby Otis.
Evelyn
Money Magician
Evelyn has been working in the orthodontic field for 41 years. She has had a love for the profession since she was just five years old. Her orthodontists mad her treatment very interesting. The reward we give people with their new smiles is amazing. She is the finical coordinator that gets your treatment underway. She and her husband David are both from the outskirts of Buffalo NY and lived in Florida for the past 25 years. In her free time, she and David are busy with their puppies Oliver and Hondie.
Nicki
Ambassador of Buzz
Nicki is a native Fort Myers girl and started her career with Dr Van Speas at a very young age in 1990.
She has many years of experience working in both the orthodontic and dental fields and appreciates the opportunity it gives her to meet and communicate with a variety of wonderful people every day.
It is great to be a part of this unique office and to work with such talented and caring people. When she is not at the office, Nicki enjoys her time with her family and friends. She has a love for traveling especially to visit her family in Sweden. Furthermore, she is an avid bowler and foodie. Please feel free to discuss dental health care or food with her at any time!
Julie B.
Clinical Coordinator
Julie is a certified orthodontic and dental assistant working with Dr. Richards for the past 14 years. She has thirty-six years of dental experience total and loves orthodontics the best. It’s her true passion and she enjoys getting to know our patients and helping them achieve that beautiful smile they’ve dreamed of having. In her off time she enjoys home projects, boating as well as traveling with her family.
Valjean
Dental Monitoring Coordinator
Valjean started her Orthodontic career in 1986 as a receptionist then went into training to become an orthodontic assistant a few years later. She is a certified orthodontic assistant with her dental x-ray certification. Valjean joined Richards and Associates in 1998. Her day will consist of interacting with our patients and parents as an assistant then switching hats to become our Dental Monitoring Coordinator. DM is designed to help patients with Invisalign monitor the evolution of their orthodontic treatment remotely between appointments with them scanning in a weekly basis from home. Valjean is originally from Pennsylvania and has three children: Brock, Paige and Sydni. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach and boating and watching our amazing Florida sunsets.
Julie S.
Smile Architect
Julie is an Orthodontic Technician graduating from NICC, Peosta Iowa. She has been in the dental field since 1982, taking time off to raise her three grown children. Alisha, Phillip and Katie. Julie loves seeing the transformation of patients smiles and watching their confidence grow as our team helps them achieve their dream smile. Julie’s goal is to make our patients visit pleasant and educational. She loves working with our team and feels fortunate to be with Richards and Associates. After moving to Cape Coral in 2015, Wisconsin will always be home. When not at work, Julie enjoys hanging out with friends and family, participating in many outdoor activities. A few are scuba diving, fishing, gardening and traveling.
Carol
Smile Architect
With over 20 years’ experience as an orthodontic assistant, I am passionate about delivering exceptional patient care and helping create confident, healthy smiles. I take pride in education patients and supporting them throughout their orthodontic journey in a welcoming, comfortable environment. Outside of the office, I am a proud baseball boy mom, dog lover with two pups, and I enjoy traveling and making memories with my family.
Jaimee
Smile Architect
Jaimee has over seven years of experience as a Dental Assistant. She loves working with kids and making them feel as comfortable in our office as if they were at home. Jaimee also has an associate in science degree in culinary arts. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her three children, Jaihden, Kasper and Maxximus. As a family they enjoy racing motorcycles and playing sports.
Debbie
Director of First Impressions
Debbie is one of our Spanish speakers, a dedicated front desk professional in the orthodontics field, known for her commitment to patient care and her job. When she’s not assisting patients to schedule appointments and other patient care related tasks, she’s helping other staff members with their responsibilities. Outside of work, Deborah enjoys crafts and creative activities that allow me to express her artistic side. She also loves the thrill of long rides on her sport bike.
Crystal
Smile Architect
Crystal has 12 years of experience in orthodontics and pediatrics with strong passion for dentistry. She is committed to providing quality, attentive care while making patients feel comfortable and confident. Known for her professionalism and positive energy, she helps create a welcoming experience at every visit. Outside the office, she enjoys paddle boarding, running competitions, and spending time with her daughter.
Ava
Insurance Coordinator
Ava is currently a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry at FGCU. She has been in the dental field for almost four years, but working at this office has opened her opportunities to potentially attend dental school in the near future. Ava is very versatile, either working in the back with patients or dealing with insurance up front. When Ava is not at work, she is either in class, doing homework, thrifting, or getting a coffee at the closest coffee shop.
