It is by our mission that we achieve the most important goal for you which is:To help our patients gain and maintain a healthy dentition with maximum comfort, function, and esthetics for the rest of their lives.
At Hughes Dental Arts Centre, we provide a number ofcosmetic dentistryservices that can improve your smile with everyone from whitening to dental implants. We also understand that many people have anxiety or fear when visiting the dentist, therefore we are pleased to offersedation dentistryas an option for our patients.
So how do we begin? Consistent with our mission we know that quality dental care begins with a comprehensive examination and diagnosis. At this examination, the doctor wants to get to know you as a person first. He will proceed to understand your dental needs by listening to you and then doing the comprehensive examination.
What is a Dental Physical and Why? A dental physical is an evaluation of all the structures of the mouth such as: head and neck muscles, jaw joint (TMJ), gums, hard tissues (jaw bone), soft tissues (oral cancer screening), and teeth. We also examine how the teeth function and evaluate their appearance. An appropriate amount of radiographs (x-rays) and photographs are taken. Sometimes, models are made of the mouth. If a dental physical is not done, subtle, yet important problems can be missed.
Why dont other offices take our approach? It requires extra post-graduate training and work beyond dental school to provide this service. In addition, the doctor must understand that a comprehensive exam and diagnosis is the blue-print for high quality care. Frankly, we believe this would be a great thing for everyone!
What does our logo mean? Our logo has two components. Excellence and Five Star Service summarizes our mission statement. The silhouette with a circle over the mouth represents our understanding that the best approach to dentistry takes into account the entire system of the mouth and not just teeth alone.
Dr. Hughes was born and raised in Herrin, Illinois. His family in Herrin goes back three generations. He attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grade school and graduated from Herrin High School in 1980. He earned a bachelor degree in biology From Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1984 and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree in 1989 from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton, IL. After dental school, Dr. Hughes completed post-graduate training in Cosmetic and Reconstructive dentistry at the Pankey Institute, Key Biscayne, FL, and UCLA School of Dentistry . He received his initial Oral Implantology training at New York University, Manhattan, NY and I.V. Conscious Sedation certificate from University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL.
Dr. Hughes has received numerous honors and recognition for professional achievements such as an inclusion in the 2005 Guide to Americas Top Dentists. He is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, an Associate Fellow in the American Academy of implant Dentistry , and a fellow in the International Society of Dento-Facial Esthetics . In 2004 he received the Bronze Award for Cosmetic Dentistry given by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry . He holds active membership in these (above) organizations as well as the American Dental Association, Southern Illinois Dental Society, and the Grows Implant Study Club (President 2006-2007).
In November 2008, Dr. Hughes and his office were featured on the cover of Dental Economics magazine. Dental Economics is a nationally published, monthly magazine featuring the leading dentists and their offices in the U. S. In 2009, he completed a year long course of advanced surgical training under the direct supervision and mentorship of Dr. Hilt Tatum. Dr. Tatum is internationally recognized as one of the best Implant and Oral Reconstructive surgeons in the world.
On October 4th 2012, Dr. Hughes received the honor of being recognized as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology in Washington, D.C. at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.