Meet Our Doctors
Lance H. Hutchens, DDS, MS
Dr. Hutchens attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Dentistry and was then awarded a residency position in the Graduate Periodontology Program as well as with the Department of Oral Biology at The Medical College of Georgia (now the Dental College of Georgia/Augusta University). There he completed a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology and a Certificate in Clinical Periodontology and Implantology. His residency includes specific hospital based training in anesthesiology.
Dr. Hutchens areas of expertise include dental implants, gum grafting, bone grafting, periodontal surgery(traditional and with a lasers), sedation, and the treatment of teeth and implants with bone loss or infections. He is a clinical professor at Cape Fear Community College in the Dental Hygiene Program as well as at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the Department of Periodontology.
John Buyer, DDS, MPH, MS, MSS
Dr. John Buyer is a third-generation dentist with an exceptional background in clinical practice, education, and military service. He earned his Bachelor of Science from The Citadel and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University. Dr. Buyer completed extensive postdoctoral training, including a Master of Public Health from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Science from the Medical College of Georgia, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
While in private practice, Dr. Buyer taught graduate-level periodontology at Virginia Commonwealth University for seven years. He provides the full spectrum of periodontal care, with particular expertise in periodontal laser therapy and esthetic anterior implant dentistry. Dr. Buyer served honorably in the United States Army from 1975 to 2008, retiring as a Colonel. His distinguished military career included roles as a commander, staff officer, and dean of two general dentistry residency programs. He concluded his service as Deputy Assistant Surgeon General at the Pentagon. After 16 years in a highly successful private practice in Blacksburg, Virginia, Dr. Buyer semi-retired to Saint James, North Carolina, where he joined Dr. Hutchens’ growing periodontal and implant practice. He is board certified, licensed to practice in North Carolina and Virginia, and is an active member of numerous professional organizations.
Privacy policy
Effective Date: March 17, 2026
Practice Name: Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center
Website: wilmingtonimplantcenter.com
Summary of Key Points
This Privacy Notice for Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center ("we," "us," or "our"), describes how and why we might access, collect, store, use, and/or share ("process") your personal information when you use our services ("Services"), including when you:
- Visit our website at https://wilmingtonimplantcenter.com or any website of ours that links to this Privacy Notice
- Engage with us in other related ways, including any marketing or events
Information We Collect
Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center may collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you interact with our website, request an appointment, complete forms, or communicate with our office. When you interact with our website or practice, you may provide us with:
- Full name, date of birth, and contact information (phone, email, address)
- Insurance and billing information
- Medical and dental history, treatment records, and health-related information
- Appointment scheduling preferences
- Communications you send to us (email, contact forms, SMS)
- Referring dentist information
When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically:
- IP address, browser type, operating system, and device information
- Pages viewed, time spent on pages, and navigation patterns
- Referring website or search terms
- Geographic location (city/region level)
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Patient Care: To provide periodontal treatment, manage appointments, and communicate about your care
- Appointment Management: To schedule, confirm, and send reminders
- Communication: To respond to inquiries, send reminders, and practice updates
- Billing: To process payments and coordinate insurance claims
- Website Improvement: To analyze usage and optimize content
- Marketing: To provide information about our services, with your consent
- Legal Compliance: To comply with healthcare regulations and legal obligations
Our website is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through our website. Pediatric patient records are maintained in accordance with HIPAA and North Carolina law, with parental or guardian consent.
HIPAA As a healthcare provider, we follow HIPAA. Your protected health information (PHI) is handled in accordance with HIPAA Privacy Rule, Security Rule, and Breach Notification Rule:
- PHI is only disclosed for treatment, payment, and healthcare operations, or with your written authorization
- We maintain physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect electronic PHI
- Business Associate Agreements are in place with all third-party vendors who handle PHI
- You have the right to request our Notice of Privacy Practices at any time
Cookies and Tracking Technologies You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings.
SMS Communications
If you provide your phone number, you may opt in to receive SMS messages from Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center
related to:
- Appointment reminders
- Appointment confirmations
- Customer care messages
- Office updates
Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply.
You can opt out of SMS messages at any time by replying STOP.
For assistance, contact our office at Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center.
Information Sharing
We respect your privacy.
SMS opt-in or phone numbers for the purpose of SMS are not shared with any third parties or affiliate companies for marketing purposes.
We may share information only when necessary to:
- Provide services you request
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect the rights and safety of our practice and patients
Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.
Third-Party Websites
We utilize trusted third-party service providers to support our practice. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information.
Updates to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Your Rights and Choices
- Access: Request a copy of personal information we hold about you
- Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
- Deletion: Request deletion, subject to legal retention requirements
- Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing emails or opt out of SMS by replying STOP
- Cookie Preferences: Manage settings through your browser
- HIPAA Rights: Request access to, amendment of, or accounting of disclosures of your PHI
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:
Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center
1611 Doctors Circle
Phone: 910-772-9770Email: info@wilmingtonimplantcenter.com
Questions or concerns? Reading this Privacy Notice will help you understand your privacy rights and choices. We are responsible for making decisions about how your personal information is processed. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services. If you still have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@wilmingtonimplantcenter.com
Terms of Use
Effective Date: March 17, 2026 | Last Updated: March 17, 2026
Welcome to Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center (“we,” “our,” or “us”). These Terms and Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our website at wilmingtonimplantcenter.com (the “Website”), our patient portal, scheduling systems, and any related digital services. By accessing or using the Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, please do not use the Website. About Our Practice Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center are a specialty periodontal dental practice found at 1611 Doctors Circle, Wilmington, NC 28401. Website Use and Intellectual Property All content on this Website, including text, images, graphics, logos, icons, and software, is the property of Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center or its content suppliers and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works of, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any content without our prior written consent.By providing your contact information through our Website and patient portal, you consent to receive communications from Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center, including:
- Appointment confirmations, reminders, and follow-up messages
- Treatment-related notifications and post-operative care instructions
- Practice updates, newsletters, and educational content
- Review and feedback requests
You may opt out of non-essential communications at any time by contacting our office at info@wilmingtonimplantcenter.com or by following the unsubscribe instructions in any communication. Please note that essential appointment and treatment-related communications cannot be opted out of while you are an active patient. Medical Disclaimer The information provided on this Website is for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to replace professional dental or medical consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, periodontist, or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions about a dental condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of information you have read on this Website. Acceptance of Terms When using our Website, you agree not to:
- Use the Website for any unlawful purpose or in violation of these Terms
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Website or its systems
- Upload or transmit viruses, malware, or other harmful code
- Impersonate any person or entity, or falsely state or misrepresent your identity
- Interfere with or disrupt the Website’s functionality or servers
- Collect or harvest personal information of other users
- Submit false or misleading appointment requests or patient information
By accessing or using the services provided by Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center, including our website and SMS messaging services, you agree to these Terms of Service. If you do not agree with these terms, please do not use our services.
Privacy and Data Protection We are committed to protecting your personal information and following all applicable privacy laws, including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). Our collection, use, and disclosure of your personal and health information is governed by our Privacy Policy and HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices, which are available upon request at our office. Key data protection measures include:
- All patient health information is stored in HIPAA-compliant systems
- SSL/TLS encryption protects data transmitted through our Website
- Access to patient records is restricted to authorized personnel only
- We do not sell or rent your personal information to third parties
Your privacy is important to us. Information collected as part of the SMS messaging program will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy. SMS opt-in or phone numbers for the purpose of SMS are not shared with any third parties or affiliate companies for marketing purposes.
Please review our Privacy Policy here: "Insert link to your Privacy Policy page"
Changes to Terms We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Help and Support If you need assistance with the SMS messaging program, you may: Contact our office directly at 910-772-9770
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact:
Wilmington Periodontics and Implant Center
1611 Doctors Circle
Phone: 910-772-9770Email: info@wilmingtonimplantcenter.com