Welcome from James Hicks, DMD, MS
"The part of dentistry I enjoy the most is helping anxious children get over their dental fears and working with children that have special health care needs. We designed our office to be comfortable for both parents and kids while still providing the same fun and comfortable environment that children love. Parents will always be welcome and encouraged to accompany their children during their dental experience." ~ Dr. Hicks
Get to know Dr. James Hicks | Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Hicks' father used a pocket translator and his army ingenuity to win over his unsuspecting sweet mother in a Japanese coffee shop while he was serving in the United States Army. A few years later Dr. Hicks was born at Yokosuka United States Naval Base in Japan in 1981. As a child, he was blessed to travel the world with his multi-cultural military family, and was even more blessed to be exposed to other cultures and traditions at a young age. When his father retired from the army the family happily settled in Lake City, Georgia where they knew they had found a home. His childhood was filled with karate classes, basketball, fishing, and of course... homework (ugh!).
Soon after graduating from Georgia State University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree, Dr. Hicks discovered his passion for dentistry during a mission trip to Haiti in 2004. He was blessed with the opportunity throughout Dental school to continue to serve as a dental provider on mission trips all over the world, which only increased his passion for treating and providing dental services to children. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry in 2009 with a Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree. Following dental school, he completed a two year residency at the University of Kentucky, simultaneously earning a specialty certificate in Pediatric Dentistry and a Master’s of Science Degree in 2011.
Dr. Hicks' biggest accomplishment came when he got up the courage to ask a pretty girl out for a movie date in dental school. He knew her from college but it took years for him to ask her out. Little did he know how happy she would make him. During the years that followed, they married and became the proudest parents of two cute, energetic boys. They are also his toughest patients.
In Dr. Hicks' free time, he enjoys playing with his boys, exercising, fishing, traveling, watching movies, and trying – sometimes unsuccessfully – to improve his golf game. He is a big fan when it comes to his beloved hometown Falcons, Braves, and Hawks. But he always has a special place in his heart for his Kentucky Wildcats.
Fun Fact
Dr. Hicks is a big kid at heart and enjoys watching cartoons just as much as his patients!
Education
- BS | Georgia State University
- DMD | Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry
-
Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Training | University of Kentucky College of Dentistry (served as Chief Resident)
- MS | University of Kentucky College of Dentistry
Licenses and Associations
- Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Licensed Dentist in state of Georgia
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Member
- Georgia Association of Pediatric Dentists (GAPD) Member
- Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SSPD) Member
- American Dental Association (ADA) Member
- Georgia Dental Association (GDA) Member
- CPR certified
- PALS certified (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
Mission Service
Dr. Hicks has participated in several dental mission trips in his career - to places like Haiti, Mexico, Bulgaria, Trinidad, Ecuador, and Senegal. He thoroughly enjoyed those experiences and would encourage others to do the same. "It was one of the most fulfilling times of my life. I can't wait to go again!"
