Our History

Three Generations of Dental Care in New Holland, PA

 "For us dentistry is about far more than treating teeth. It's about relationships, trust, and serving a community over a lifetime."

Since 1940, we have proudly served the New Holland community through three generations of dedicated family dentistry. What began as a small-town dental practice has grown alongside the community itself, evolving with advancements in technology, techniques, and patient care while maintaining the same commitment to relationships, integrity, and exceptional treatment.


Over the decades, multiple generations of local families have entrusted their smiles to our practice. Today, Dr. Laura S. Harkin proudly continues a legacy started by her grandfather and carried forward by her father—a legacy built on lifelong learning, community involvement, and personalized care.

Dr. John Sheaffer Sr.

First Generation Dentist

Dr. Laura Harkin's grandfather, Dr. John Sheaffer Sr., established the practice immediately after graduating from Temple Dental School on June 8, 1940. He opened his first office in New Holland and later expanded with a satellite office in Terre Hill.


During World War II, Dr. Sheaffer Sr. temporarily stepped away from private practice to serve in the Army Dental Corps at Mitchell Field in Hempstead, New York. Following the war, he returned to New Holland and resumed caring for patients on Main Street.


Throughout his career, Dr. Sheaffer Sr. embraced advancements in dentistry and developed expertise in multiple areas, including oral surgery, orthodontics, and restorative dentistry. Alongside his wife, Helen, he was deeply involved in the New Holland community and laid the foundation for the patient-centered practice that continues today.

Man leaning against a black jeep with a tan canvas top, holding a drink outdoors in bright sunlight
Two smiling coworkers posing in a studio, one seated and one standing behind with a hand on his shoulder.

Dr. John Sheaffer Jr.

Second Generation Dentist

As New Holland continued to grow, so did the Sheaffer family. Inspired by his father's example, Dr. John Sheaffer Jr. attended Franklin & Marshall College before earning his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1969.


Before joining the family practice, Dr. Sheaffer Jr. proudly served as a Captain in Vietnam, where he led the dental clinic for the 101st Airborne Division. Upon returning home, he joined his father in the practice's new location at 507 West Broad Street in New Holland, where the two practiced side-by-side until Dr. Sheaffer Sr.'s retirement in 1980.


A passionate lifelong learner, Dr. Sheaffer Jr. continually expanded the capabilities of the practice through advanced education and emerging technologies. He studied at the prestigious Pankey Institute and earned both Fellowship and Mastership awards from the Academy of General Dentistry. Under his leadership, the practice embraced innovations including digital radiography, computerization, and advanced restorative procedures.


Together, Dr. Sheaffer Jr. and his wife, Sharon, remained actively involved in numerous local organizations and community initiatives. They raised three children on the family farm, and their daughter, Dr. Laura Sheaffer Harkin, eventually joined the practice and assumed ownership in 2010.

Dr. Laura Sheaffer Harkin

Third Generation Dentist

In 2008, Dr. Laura Sheaffer Harkin joined the family practice and became the third generation to continue its legacy of exceptional dental care in New Holland. Inspired by the example set by her father and grandfather, she remains committed to the same values of lifelong learning, community involvement, and patient-centered care.


Dr. Harkin has continued her family's tradition of advanced education through her longstanding involvement with the Pankey Institute. She served as an Advisor and Visiting Faculty member from 2014–2025, earned the distinction of Pankey Scholar in 2020, and continues to serve as an Advisor to the Board. Dr. Harkin has earned Mastership and Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition from the Academy of General Dentistry and regularly participates in study groups and continuing education programs throughout the year.


While balancing life as a wife, mother, and practice owner, Dr. Harkin remains dedicated to providing exceptional care and building lasting relationships with the patients and families who trust her with their oral health.

A Legacy That Continues Today

Caring for multiple generations of the same families since 1940

One of the greatest privileges of practicing dentistry in a close-knit community is the opportunity to care for multiple generations of the same families. Since 1940, our practice has built meaningful friendships throughout New Holland while providing a high standard of dental care that has earned the trust of generations of patients.


Over the years, patients have shared countless memories of visiting the practice—from watching the "white cotton bunny" race around the wheel of Dr. Sheaffer Sr.'s treadle drill after school to stories of horse-drawn transportation and visits with Dr. Sheaffer Jr. These stories remind us that dentistry is about far more than treating teeth. It's about relationships, trust, and serving a community over a lifetime.

MILESTONES

1940

Dr. John Sheaffer Sr. opens the family dental practice

1971

Dr. John Sheaffer Jr. joins the practice at 507 W. Broad Street

2008

Dr. Laura Sheaffer Harkin joins the family dental practice

2010

Dr. Laura Sheaffer Harkin assumes ownership

Today

Dr. Harkin continues to lead the family dental practice

Red wax seal-style logo with white “LSH” letters and gold cord loop on white background

Third Generation Dentistry

Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future

While dentistry has changed dramatically over the decades, the values that guide our practice have remained remarkably consistent. A commitment to lifelong learning, personalized care, clinical excellence, and community involvement has been passed from one generation to the next.


Today, Dr. Laura Harkin proudly carries that tradition forward. As the third generation to lead the practice, she considers it both an honor and a privilege to continue serving the New Holland community. By combining generations of experience with advanced training, modern technology, and compassionate care, she is proud to continue a legacy that began more than 85 years ago—and to help ensure it continues for generations to come.