Meet the Team
Steven Strickland, DDS — Owner
Dr. Steven Strickland has been dedicated to providing high-quality dental care since opening his practice, Steven D Strickland DDS PC, in 1990. A longtime member of the local community, Dr. Strickland graduated from Woodbridge Senior High School after his family relocated to the area from Colorado following his father’s active-duty military service. With his parents and siblings still living nearby, the community continues to be an important part of both his personal and professional life.
Dr. Strickland earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond before attending Case Western Reserve University, where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. After completing his education, he returned home to establish his dental practice and has continued serving patients in the community ever since.
Knowing from the age of five that he wanted to become a dentist, Dr. Strickland found a profession that perfectly complements his detail-oriented nature and passion for working with his hands. He enjoys the combination of artistry and science that dentistry offers—from creating beautiful smiles to treating disease and improving his patients’ overall oral health. An early veneer case in his career further confirmed that dentistry was the right path for him. He is also grateful to work alongside a dedicated team that shares his commitment to quality, excellence, and clear communication.
Continuing education has remained a cornerstone of Dr. Strickland’s professional career. He is an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry and has served as President of the Virginia Academy of General Dentistry. He currently serves as Chairman of the Master Track Committee, helping organize continuing education opportunities for the VAGD. Dr. Strickland is also a member of the Northern Virginia Dental Society, Virginia Dental Association, and American Dental Association. His dedication to dentistry has earned him repeated recognition by his peers as one of the area’s top dentists in Washingtonian Magazine and Northern Virginia Magazine.
Outside the office, Dr. Strickland enjoys spending time with his family and appreciates having them close by. He is passionate about fitness and enjoys going to the gym, playing pickleball, and staying active. He also continues to enjoy skiing in Colorado with his sons, combining his love of family with a longtime connection to the state where his parents once lived.
Melody Whitt, Office Manager
Melody Whitt has been part of Dr. Steve Strickland DDS since 2018, bringing a strong background in communication, organization, and caring for others to her role as Office Manager. She grew up in Alexandria, VA, as the daughter of a Baptist preacher, where she had a wonderful upbringing centered around caring for people. She believes those values continue to shape how she interacts with patients and the team every day.
Melody graduated from Liberty University with a BS in English in 1998. After college, she worked as a radio show script writer for a nonprofit organization in Washington, DC, before moving into an accounts and billing assistant role with a small management company. In 2003, she and her husband moved to Woodbridge, VA. After the birth of their first child in 2004, Melody stepped into what she considers her favorite role ever: being a stay-at-home mom.
In 2018, when her children were all in school, Melody began looking for a part-time position. Through a new mom friend she met through her son’s baseball team, she learned that the practice was hiring for a front desk receptionist. Although she had never worked in dentistry before, Melody knew she could learn and joined the practice as a part-time receptionist. She spent three years in that role before Dr. Strickland asked her to step into the Office Manager position in 2021. Five years later, she continues to grow in her knowledge of dentistry, business, and leadership.
While Melody enjoys learning about dentistry, her favorite part of the practice is the people. She appreciates the wonderful patients and, especially, the close-knit team. She values working in an environment where everyone works together, genuinely enjoys one another, and supports each other.
Outside of work, Melody enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Her older two children are currently students at Liberty University, while her youngest is a high school senior who plans to attend Liberty as well. Over the years, their family has stayed busy with church youth group, baseball, dance, and marching band. As their children enter adulthood, Melody and her husband are looking forward to a new chapter filled with quieter evenings, more time together, and traveling to places they’ve always dreamed of visiting.
Anna Sweeney, Registered Dental Hygienist
Anna Sweeney has been a valued member of Dr. Steven Strickland, DDS since 2019, serving as a dedicated Dental Hygienist. A Northern Virginia local, Anna earned her Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC).
Anna’s journey in dentistry began with a summer job during her teenage years. She first helped at the front desk before transitioning into dental and orthodontic assisting. Through these experiences, she discovered a genuine passion for dentistry and ultimately decided to pursue a career as a dental hygienist. Her favorite part of her work is helping patients better understand their oral health and empowering them with the knowledge and habits needed to care for their smiles.
Outside of the office, Anna enjoys spending quality time with her husband, children, and extended family. She is an avid reader and values caring for her family. Anna also enjoys being actively involved in her church and faith community.
Debbie Delacruz, Registered Dental Hygienist
For 37 years, Debbie Delacruz, RDH, has been dedicated to providing compassionate and thorough dental hygiene care. She earned her associate degree in dental hygiene in Virginia and has called the state home for 47 years. She has been part of Dr. Steve Strickland DDS since 2020.
Debbie’s passion for dentistry began with her grandfather, who was a dentist in Oregon. She fondly remembers visiting him at work, and those experiences sparked her interest in pursuing a career in dental hygiene. She takes great pride in seeing where patients begin their treatment journey and helping them achieve their best possible oral health. For Debbie, the trust her patients place in her is one of the most rewarding parts of her profession.
Her dedication to dental hygiene was reinforced during her licensing examination, when her father served as her board patient. Despite facing challenging dental issues during the exam and watching many of her classmates finish before she had barely begun, Debbie persevered and successfully completed her requirements. That experience confirmed that dental hygiene was the right profession for her.
Outside of the office, Debbie enjoys all kinds of crafting, baking homemade bread, and cooking for family and friends. She also loves weekend road trips, spending time at the shotgun range, and making memories with her sweet granddaughter.
Lovely Saavedra, Certified Dental Assistant
Lovely Saavedra has been a valued member of the Dr. Steven Strickland, DDS team since 2014 and currently serves as the practice’s Lead Dental Assistant. Originally from the Philippines, Lovely moved to Stafford, Virginia, when she was 12 years old and has called the area home ever since.
Although dentistry wasn’t initially part of Lovely’s career plan, a family friend who worked for Dr. Strickland introduced her to the field. She quickly discovered how rewarding and dynamic a career in dentistry could be. One of her favorite things about her work is that no two days are ever the same, and that variety continues to make her role exciting and fulfilling.
Lovely knew she had found the right profession when she saw firsthand how a healthy, beautiful smile could restore a person’s self-confidence. She especially enjoys being part of cosmetic cases and seeing patients’ reactions when they finally get to see their results. For Lovely, witnessing that transformation and the confidence it brings is one of the most rewarding parts of her work.
Outside of the office, Lovely is a self-described foodie who loves discovering new restaurants and trying different cuisines. She also enjoys reading and staying active by attending Pilates and barre workout classes.
Renee Baublitz, Front Desk Receptionist
Renee Baublitz joined the team at Dr. Steven Strickland, DDS in December 2024 as a Front Desk Receptionist. Originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, Renee studied secretarial skills in high school and college. Throughout her career, she has used her administrative experience in a variety of settings, including an elementary school and health insurance agencies. After her husband accepted a job in Northern Virginia in 2001, Renee and her family made the area their home.
Before joining the practice, Renee and her family had been patients of Dr. Strickland for several years after a friend recommended the office when their previous dentist retired. Having experienced the practice as a patient, Renee developed an appreciation for the team’s commitment to providing high-quality dental care while staying current with advances in dental technology. After spending more than 20 years at home raising her children, she was excited for the opportunity to put her administrative skills to work again while supporting a team she already knew and trusted.
Renee has always enjoyed working in supportive roles and helping others through her organizational and administrative skills. She finds her position especially fulfilling because it allows her to continue learning, meet new people, and help patients receive excellent dental care. She is proud to be part of a team that helps change lives one smile at a time.
Outside of the office, Renee treasures time with her husband and their three grown children, two of whom are married. Her family has grown even more special with the addition of her granddaughter. Family is one of Renee’s greatest joys, and she also enjoys spending time with her church community, friends, and neighbors. When she has some free time, you can often find her outdoors walking, running, or hiking, relaxing at the beach, or enjoying an off-road adventure in her Jeep Wrangler.