Eric Kelly, DMD
Meet Dr. Kelly: Oral Surgeon in Wilmington NC
Dr. Eric Kelly was raised in Raleigh, NC, and attended high school at Leesville Road. He then pursued his college degree in biology at Appalachian State and attended East Carolina University for Dental School. Following completion of his residency at Georgetown – Washington Hospital Center in Washington DC, he has chosen to move to Wilmington to practice with Drs. Wilson.
Dr. Kelly chose to specialize in oral and maxillofacial surgery because of the wide scope within the field and the direct effect on the lives of his patients. Within the field, he is most passionate about dental implant rehabilitation and orthognathic (jaw reconstruction) surgery. Dr. Kelly feels these particular areas of expertise offer complex and challenging cases that ultimately have a profound impact on the lives of patients for decades to come.
On a personal level, Dr. Kelly chose to live in Wilmington because of proximity to family. Professionally, he felt called to serve the people of eastern North Carolina, as he finds them to be a hard working and caring group of people with a strong sense of community.
In his free time, Dr. Kelly enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and his golden retriever Remington. He is also a private pilot who loves outdoor activities including hiking national parks and diving.
Education and Credentials
Dr. Kelly graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Biology from Appalachian State in 2012. He received his D.M.D. from East Carolina School of Dental Medicine in 2017, where he graduated in the top of his class.
Dr. Kelly then went on to complete an internship in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, NY. He followed this training with an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at Georgetown – Washington Hospital Center, graduating in 2022. Of significant note, this is a top program for reconstructive jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery) and implantology. He also trained as a resident in pediatric anesthesia and craniofacial surgery at the highly respected Children’s National Medical Center. Dr. Kelly has served as the senior oral
and maxillofacial surgery resident at Johns Hopkins, the National Institute of Health, and the Washington DC Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center.
Community/Volunteer
Dr. Kelly has a long and impressive history of contributing to his community through his volunteer work. He participates regularly at Mission of Mercy clinics providing dental care to underserved populations and has since he was in college as well as through dental school and residency.
He has also worked with the NC Baptist Men’s Dental Bus in Greenville NC and Give Kids a Smile, who also work in underserved areas.
He has utilized his pilot’s license to save dogs from high kill shelters with Pilots and Paws and has long worked with the ASPCA as both a volunteer and foster parent for dogs.
His other volunteer interests include constructing homes with Habitat for Humanity and international work with orphanages in the Dominican Republic, where he taught children about personal health and hygiene.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Kelly’s clinical interests include bone grafting, implantology, and reconstructive jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery).
Affiliations
Dr. Kelly is a member of:
- The American Dental Association
- The North Carolina Dental Association
- The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery