Dr. Ralph Howell
Ralph L. Howell, Jr., DDS, MAGD
Dr. Ralph L. Howell, Jr. grew up in the Suffolk community. In 1982, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the College of William and Mary. He then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1989, where he graduated with honors and was a member of the distinguished national dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Howell was also recognized with the Medical College of Virginia’s A.D. Williams Scholarship Award.
Recognizing that dentistry is constantly advancing and evolving, Dr. Howell attends many continuing education courses and maintains knowledge considered on the cutting edge of dentistry. In line with his high regard for continuing education, Dr. Howell earned his Masters from the Academy of General Dentistry in 2012. The Master’s is the highest achievement within the AGD and is awarded to AGD Fellows who have completed over 1100 hours of Continuing Education. Following the completion of his implant training, Dr. Howell was awarded a Fellowship in the International Congress of Implantologists in December 2012.
Dr. Ralph Howell is an active member of the community, as well as organized dentistry. He is a past President of the Virginia Dental Association. He currently represents the Virginia Dental Association as a delegate to the American Dental Association. Dr. Howell has previously served the ADA on the Council on Dental Practice, Council on Communications, and on the Appeal Board of the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition. In December 2011, Dr. Howell was appointed to serve on the Virginia Healthcare Foundation’s Board of Directors. From 2015-2017, Dr. Howell served as the Healthcare Foundation’s chair. Since 2017, Dr. Howell has been an active member of the Obici Healthcare Foundation aiding to improve the health and access to care for all in Western Tidewater. Dr. Howell serves on the Colonial Virginia Council Executive Board for the Boy Scouts of America and has served as the medical officer for three national Boy Scout jamborees at Fort A.P. Hill. He is a past president of the Suffolk Rotary Club, and as an active member of Oakland Christian Church, where he has served on the Board of Deacons and is the current Moderator.
Dr. Howell has been honored as the Western Tidewater Free Clinic’s Volunteer of the Year, Richard F. Simmons Memorial Award by the Tidewater Dental Association, and the Leadership Award by the Virginia Dental Association.
Dr. Howell has been married to his wife, Tammy, for nearly 40 years. His daughters, Lauren and Danielle, have followed in his footsteps in the Boy Scouts of America and Dentistry, respectively. Dr. Howell enjoys spending time with his grandson, Gavin, his granddaughter, Riley, photography, boating, and skiing.
Professional Memberships and Affiliations
- American Dental Association
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
- American College of Dentists
- Virginia Dental Association
- Tidewater Dental Association
- Academy of General Dentistry
- Delta Sigma Delta
- Portsmouth-Suffolk Study Club
- Seaboard Study Club
- Sentara Obici Hospital Medical Staff
- Pierre Fauchard Academy
- International College of Dentists
- American Institute of Parliamentarians
- Virginia Dental Association Foundation
- Virginia Health Care Foundation
- International Congress of Oral Implantologists
