I have been a practicing dentist for 46 amazing years. My goal throughout the years has always been to make people feel good about themselves. I love dentistry and feel that it is the perfect fit for me professionally. I am detail-orientated and value the ability to incorporate the many sciences that are required to provide phenomenal dental care. My favorite acronym - ASK, stands for Always Seeking Knowledge, which describes my dedication to dentistry. I love to learn! My passion, both professionally and personally, is knowledge. In dentistry, my commitment to continuing education allows me to provide the best treatments possible. I'm a lifelong perfectionist. Perfect is hard to achieve - as the only perfect person to ever live was Jesus Christ, however excellence is always the goal.
Education and Dedication
My studies have always taken a priority. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Tennessee in 1973. I then went to the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, where I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1976. Through it all, I found myself continually excited by the idea of providing excellent dental care.
I feel that in many ways my education picked up when I finished my formal schooling. I have put over 5,000 hours into my continuing education. I am known as a “Continuing Education Junkie” around the office. I am always on board to learn something new in order to provide a higher level of care. I have been trained in-depth across all disciplines of dentistry and have been honored with the Tennessee Dental Association ACE Award and the International College of Dentist Award. I am also a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Professional Affiliations
- American Dental Association
- Tennessee Dental Association
- 7th District Dental Society
- Corinth (MS) Dental Society
- Academy of General Dentistry
- International Association for Orthodontics
- Mid-South Orthodontic Study Club
- Seattle Study Club of Memphis
In the Office
My goal is to provide comprehensive dental care while paying special attention to each individual patient's needs. I try my best to always be on the cutting edge of the newest technologies/techniques and consider myself an “early adapter”. My office has been equipped with electric handpieces since 1997 and digital radiography since 2000. I have provided incredible care by using cutting-edge technology to all of my patients and even multiple generations in some families.
I believe that my patients and their families continue to use my office over the years because I value the patient beyond the teeth and jawline. I am always happy to have a conversation while sharing and listening to all that my patients have to say. I value their opinions and work to make them each feel valued as the important person they are. That is also what makes dentistry such a great field - it helps people feel more overall self-worth. Through my work, I can help people feel listened to in the office and when they leave, they are brimming with confidence from the new smile we have achieved together.
We now have the Planmeca extraoral panoramic digital 3D x-ray system, allowing us to take diagnostic radiographs with ease for both patient and clinician. We recently incorporated the Itero digital scanner, which allows us to take impressions digitally - that means no goop, gag, or bad taste.
Community Involvement
The Selmer community is phenomenal. I am so thankful to them for allowing me to do what I love professionally. I look forward to every opportunity I have to give back and am involved in numerous social organizations, including:
- Arts in McNairy – Board of Directors
- Selmer First Baptist Church – Deacon, Choir, and Committee Member
- McNairy Regional Alliance – Committee Member
- Memphis Hightailers Bicycle Club
- Shiloh Eagle Photographers
- Boy Scouts of America – Cub Master, Troupe Leader, Board Member "in the past"
- United Way
- American Cancer Society
Outside the Office
I grew up in Middle Tennessee, in what we called the “Country Suburbs” of Nashville. I met my beautiful wife during my sophomore year of college, and we are now celebrating 48 years and counting of married bliss. She has been my rock for many years. During dental school, I joined the Air Force, and we were blessed with our first son, Rob. I left the military to be closer to home and have lived in the same house since 1979. During that time, we had another child, Jon. Both of our sons are happily married, and we have five incredible grandchildren. You can find their photographs hung throughout the office.
Rob has worked his way up the corporate ladder through several corporations but is currently a product manager for AutoZone at the corporate headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee. Rob and our daughter-in-law, Angela, have 4 children - Maddie, Jackson, Natalie, and Mallory.
Jon attended seminary at Southeastern Theological Baptist Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. He is now associate pastor in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He also has a couple of gold records with his name on their covers, from his time with Josh Turner on the road. Jon is married to our daughter-in-law Lacey and together they have one little girl - Genny Ruth. Jon has started a podcast called "Through the Word" which you can access on Apple Podcast or through their church media. http://www.eastviewonline.org
I am big on bicycle riding, gardening, music, photography, church, and spending time with the grandkids. I am known for my bicycle, and I'm sometimes referred to as “that crazy bicycle rider”. I love biking to work. I also have a green thumb - some of my houseplants are 35 years old. One of my points of pride at the office is our awesome Japanese Maple Tree, which is a true, four-season sensation. I have been a serious amateur photographer since I was eight years old. I helped a great group start a rockabilly festival, called Rockabilly Revival. I very much enjoy listening to podcasts and learning more about not only dentistry, but also my other interests such as photography, music, hiking, and bicycling. In my spare time, I also enjoy tending to my Koi Pond. The pond has 8 Koi and 3 Goldfish, in 800 gallons of water with 4 pumps and a waterfall as well as a 15ft. vertical drop. It is a lot of work but a great joy to listen to - the grandkids love it too.
