For Dr. Frederick Fritz, orthodontics is about much more than straight teeth, it’s about confidence. He said he feels it’s his mission to give confidence to his patients, who span decades of students from this school.
He has known he wanted this career path since he was in seventh grade. Growing up, Fritz had issues with self-esteem, describing himself as shy and introverted. His own experience with braces ultimately changed him. “Even though I was one of the most uncooperative patients, once I got my braces off, I began to believe in myself and my confidence improved,” Fritz said.
That transformation inspired his life’s mission and the reason he chose orthodontics. “It was at that point that I wanted others to feel the same way I felt when I got my braces off,” Fritz said.
Although he grew up in Montgomery County, returning home was not always the plan. After attending the University of Wisconsin, Fritz fell in love with the Chicago area and intended to build his career there. However, while studying at the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, he met his wife, a Montgomery County native. After supporting him through his post-graduate training, she encouraged him to return to Maryland. “Immediately after finishing my orthodontic residency, we moved back home, and have been here ever since,” Fritz said.
Since opening his practice in 2001, Fritz said the growth of his orthodontic practice has exceeded what he ever imagined. While there is no estimate on how many MCPS students he has treated, his mission has never changed. Fritz believes orthodontics impacts people far beyond oral appearance. He said that patients often come in with bite issues that affect eating, speech, or even jaw pain, and correcting those problems can improve daily life. However, at the core of it all is confidence.
Outside of the office, Fritz is deeply involved in the local community. Both of his children graduated from this school, and his practice supports organizations such as MANNA Food Bank and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For the past 15 years, he has coached track for the City of Rockville, sharing his experience as a former endurance athlete with young runners. “I do it not to advertise or build my practice, but it is a way of giving back to the community,” Fritz said.
Fritz said that building relationships with the kids is one of the most meaningful parts of his job. He sees himself as honest and open with his patients, hoping to make an impact beyond orthodontics. “I am not here to just treat them as patients, but I also hope to have an impact on their lives so they can become better people within society and feel confident within themselves,” Fritz said.
Junior Maddie Luxenberg is a patient of his, and has been for about seven years, but has also known Fritz as a family friend. One time they both were at her house and there was a beehive that was run into. Luxenberg, Fritz, and the other people there were then chased by the bees all the way inside and all got stung. “Although we all got stung multiple times, and I found out I was allergic to bees, it was still a fun experience and memory that I share with him,” Luxenberg said.
Junior Caleb Cook is a patient of Fritz as well, and has enjoyed every set of the way. “ I have never had a bad experience with him, he always makes the visit enjoyable with a conversation and jokes,” Cook said.
Fritz said he understands that adolescence can be challenging and hopes his influence extends beyond the office walls. His guiding philosophy applies to both dentistry and life: “Treat people the way you would want to be treated while doing anything in your life.”
