Born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, Dr. William Baker made Hattiesburg his home after attending dental school at the University of Tennessee Memphis and completing a one-year residency in Charlotte, North Carolina. Dr. Baker, whose father and uncle were also dentists, joined his uncle Martin at his Hattiesburg practice in 1990. As his uncle Martin transitioned into retirement, Dr. Baker took over the practice and immediately felt at home in Hattiesburg. When I got to Hattiesburg, the community accepted me right off the bat. They invited me to join social clubs and participate in community events, Dr. Baker said. I am so thankful for the welcoming spirit of Hattiesburg, and my hope is that my patients feel that same hospitality when they walk into the office. Now, with nearly 30 years of practice under his belt, Dr. Baker says his favorite part of practicing dentistry is getting to be part of the fabric of peoples families. Hattiesburg is home. Its always been home. I love seeing kids that Ive worked on bringing their kids to see me. Theres nothing like it.
Dr. Baker views dentistry as an art that aligns with his other creative passions. A musician and an artisan, Dr. Baker believes that the smile is one of the ultimate art forms. I love to play guitar and have played since I was 12 years old. I love music. Its in my family My mom is a phenomenal piano player, Dr. Baker said. I also love solving problems and working with my hands. Dr. Graham and I love a challenge. Its the coolest thing in the world. With 30 years of experience, I can just see how a patients smile is meant to be. I love mapping things out, then creating a product with my hands. Its about looking at somebody eyes and seeing how their smile should be.
Dr. Baker wants his patients to know that a beautiful, artful smile doesnt have to be expensive. Because we are invested in the art of the smile and state-of-the-art technology, some people think we are the expensive practice in town. Were not, Dr. Baker said. We want our patients to feel like family. We ask them what they want and help them find options that work for them and their budget. Dr. Baker believes that anybody who wants to take care of their smile belongs at Baker & Graham.
When he isnt in the office, Dr. Baker enjoys spending time with his wife Jennie (who is an incredible chef) and their two sons, William and Curt. He loves playing guitar for his sons, taking his family to their farm on the Bouie River, and riding in his tractor. I love my tractor. I call it Tractor Therapy, Dr. Baker said. Every time we go out to our farm, I tell my sons to leave the property better than they found it. Sometimes that means bush-hogging or clearing sticks. Sometimes that means planting crops. The same principle goes for my dental practice: leave a smile better than I found it, make it how it should be.
A Hattiesburg native with an eye for sculpture, Dr. Erik Graham believes that every smile is a work of art ready to be unveiled. After attending dental school at University Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Graham and his wife Ginny (also a Hattiesburg native) moved back to Hattiesburg and joined Dr. Baker, where they formed Baker & Graham Family Dentistry. Its amazing having a partner like Dr. Graham. His wifes grandmother was my patient, and she told Dr. Graham about me and my desire to find a good partner and expand the practice, Dr. Baker said of Dr. Graham. We get along because we are so different. He works at an amazing, meticulous pace and has an encyclopedic knowledge of dentistry. He is so caring with patients, and we complement each other really well.
Ever since he was a child, Dr. Graham has been fascinated by how things work. He loves working with his hands, taking things apart, and putting them back together again. He has always been fascinated by innovation and captivated by the power of technology to improve peoples lives. My goal is to make sure I can offer the best treatment to anyone who comes through the doors. That means investing in and learning the newest, best technology. Im fascinated by innovation, and I want my patients to experience the benefits of the technology we use here at Baker & Graham, Dr. Graham said.
Dr. Graham believes that the best smiles are artful, authentic, and unique to each person. Im not interested in creating a fabricated, synthetic smile. I want my patients smiles to look like they were meant to be, he said. Were not like a typical practice. We really get to know our patients and their smiles. We give the best results by using the best materials. We have several options for our patients, from low-cost options to more involved procedures. For Dr. Graham, the challenge of creating those smilesalong with the connection he gets to form with his patientsdrive his passion for dentistry, a craft that all too often perceived as boring, conventional, and even scary. Anybody who needs dental treatment should feel comfortable and confident coming to our practice. Whatever their needs are, we can help them figure out what they need and even how to pay for it.
Outside of the office, Dr. Graham loves spending time with his wife Ginny and his three sons, Gregg, Parker, and Bradley. He coaches their baseball teams and helps coordinate their Boy Scout endeavors. Dr. Graham also enjoys wood carving, furniture building, and the art of sculpture, a passion which he carries into his dental practice, as well. If I can visualize it in my head, I like to use my hands to make it, Dr. Graham said. I can see how a patients smile is intended to look, and I want to help patients realize the beauty and individuality of their smiles.
A Hattiesburg native with a heart for instilling confidence in his patients, Dr. Ethan Moore wakes up every morning excited to serve the families who visit Baker & Graham. The patients here especially the families motivate me more than anything else, Dr. Moore said. I love sharing in a patients confidence when we make improvements to their smile.
After graduating from the University of Mississippi with a bachelors degree in business administration, Dr. Moore attended and graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical School of Dentistry. I have always had a passion for dentistry because its an art that can change peoples lives, Dr. Moore said. A patient can walk into the office and, within a short amount of time, completely transform their smile and increase their confidence.
For Dr. Moore, joining the team at Baker & Graham was a simple decision. Dr. Baker and Dr. Graham have invested their time and their careers in caring for families in the Pine Belt, Dr. Moore said. I knew I wanted to join their team so I could work with them, learn from them, and follow their example of quality, artful care.
Dr. Moore enjoys being outdoors, playing golf, spending time with his family, and attending area sporting events. As a left-handed dentist, he has had to work with the team at Baker & Graham to rearrange the equipment and install special left-handing chairs. The team here has been incredible in working with a lefty like me, Dr. Moore quipped. Just another reason that Im thrilled to be on this team and caring for our communitys smiles.