Northern Virginia Health & Life Magazine: October 2009
"Spotlight on Robert Lebonitte, DDS"

Robert Lebonitte, DDS

For Robert Lebonitte, DDS, a career in dentistry brought together two simple pleasures he loves most: people and fixing things. “I work well with people and enjoy fixing things. I fix everything,” he says enthusiastically. “Being in this field, you get to fix things but you get to work with people too. It’s a lot more rewarding than fixing the washing machine at home.”

The Fairfax Station area has been Dr. Lebonitte’s home for more than 30 years. The married father of three grew up in New York, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Villanova University, and graduated from the Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1976. When he’s not practicing from Dental Associates of Northern Virginia’s Tysons and Skyline locations (or fixing things at home), he’s keeping busy in other ways.

On gardening...“I work on the lawn and tend to the shrubs and flowers, but I don’t do vegetables. Gardening in this area is tough. We have clay earth and climate issues—humidity and fungus. My brother-in-law lives in Long Island, New York; his lawn is like a golf course, and he doesn’t do anything with it. But here you have to learn how to compensate. Rhododendrons, dogwood, and holly tend to do well.”

On what’s cooking... Lebonitte is a gourmet at the grill, firing up everything from brisket and flank steak to vegetables and beer chicken. He even has a special rib recipe that’s a well-guarded secret.

On sports... “I watch the Nationals and Redskins, but I also like to watch the Ohio State games—two of my kids graduated from there.” He doesn’t settle for spectatorship, though: “I play racquetball twice a week and I like to ski. I enjoy Snowshoe Mountain, but try to get out West to Colorado and Utah too.”

On reading... The avid reader counts James Michener, Robert Ludlum, and Stephen King among his favorite authors.

On the future... “I’ve been practicing for 33 years, and it’s worked out well. I plan on doing this for many more years to come!”