jean and guy clayton

The family of Jean and Guy C. Clayton, D.D.S., have decided to create a scholarship for orthodontics residents to honor their parents and the commitment to care in their community. Photos courtesy Clayton family

Scholarship Honors Parents’ Community Ties

clayton
Guy Clayton, D.D.S., graduated from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1960. 

Guy Clayton, D.D.S., wholeheartedly believed that education was key to a prosperous life, having grown up poor on his family’s farm. He also embodied the spirit of community through an orthodontic practice that truly cared for the whole patient.

Clayton graduated with a D.D.S. from the MCV School of Dentistry in 1960 and set up his dental practice in Virginia Beach. He later returned to campus to complete orthodontics training in 1967 as the specialty emerged. Jean, his wife, was his bookkeeper and biggest cheerleader.

Guy served as president of the Virginia Orthodontic Society from 1982 to 1983. He was also a member of the American Orthodontics Society and the Southern Society of Orthodontics.

jean and guy clayton
Guy and Jean Clayton passed in 2009 and 2021, respectively, and their estate included an unrestricted planned gift to support the Orthodontics Department.

Guy’s practice was a family affair where all three daughters worked as teenagers. They saw firsthand their father’s work ethic and desire to improve patient health and well-being. His practice served mostly teens, and he catered to their interests, filling the office with pop music and installing video games like Pac-Man in his waiting areas.

His beach and roller-skating parties, to which the patient community was invited, were legendary. “He enjoyed the company of those he cared for and was always ready to entertain,” said Gina Clayton. “He made lifetime friendships.”

Guy and Jean passed in 2009 and 2021, respectively, and their estate included an unrestricted planned gift to support the Orthodontics Department. Their children asked if this gift could be used to honor their parents by creating the Guy C. Clayton, D.D.S., and Jean B. Clayton, Memorial Scholarship for first-year orthodontics residents in the VCU School of Dentistry.

Gina Clayton said one of her father’s best attributes was his ability to relate to his patients.

“We hope this scholarship will help a person who communicates well and is an excellent clinician,” she said. “This is so critical to great patient experiences.


If you would like to support scholarships at the VCU School of Dentistry, please contact Gloria Greiner-Callihan, J.D., senior associate dean for development and alumni relations, at gfcallihan@vcu.edu or 804-828-8101.