After attending Tulane University and receiving his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1977, Dr. Hopkins graduated from the prestigious Emory University School of Dentistry in Atlanta, Georgia. At Emory, Dr. Hopkins studied directly under Dr. Ronald Goldstein, considered the father of modern aesthetic dentistry.
Following graduation from Emory in 1981, Dr. Hopkins joined an esteemed multi-specialty practice in Palm Beach, Florida, where he honed his skills in numerous dental specialties: endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery and aesthetics. While in Florida, Dr. Hopkins also completed the continuum at the Pankey Institute, the most renowned dental education institute in the world.
While hugely successful in Florida, Dr. Hopkins love for his hometown brought him back in 1984 to Gulfport, where his father, Dr. Arvah M. Hopkins, Sr., and his grandfather, Dr. Arvah St. Clair Hopkins, practiced before him.
While greatly respected for his abilities as a general dentist, Dr. Hopkins is also highly regarded as one of the areas leading aesthetic dentists. To that end, Dr. Hopkins has performed hundreds of complete smile transformations, enhancing his patients smiles and undeniably brightening their lives.
As a dentist, I believe certain values matter the most when it comes to the health and the happiness of my patients. Most importantly, I believe a brighter, healthier smile leads to a brighter, healthier life physically, mentally and emotionally for my patients. Understandably, my primary goal is to make my patients lives a little better and brighter each day.
Many studies have proven that unhealthy teeth and gums lead to a host of negative effects an increased risk of heart disease, decayed teeth, advanced bone loss and a decreased immune system. With words like disease and decay so often linked with dentistry, its easy to forget how positively dentistry can enrich peoples lives, particularly in the area of aesthetic dentistry.
As a long-term student and provider of aesthetics, I believe its far more an art than it is a science. While all basics can be taught, there is no textbook formula that applies to everyone. Far too many new patients have visited my office desperate for me to correct what was promised to be aesthetic work. When designing new smiles, I consider my patients features and personality as much as their teeth and gums so results are beautifulandnatural.
While I believe in the best of dentistry, its important to note what I dont believe in, such as the too often used gimmicks to attract patients. The most recent example of this is the advertisement of shot-free dental lasers, which are far from the state-of-the-art equipment they are promised to be. While some lasers have their place in gum surgery, most can only be used in minor procedures. A skilled, steady-handed dentist can perform these same procedures many times faster and equally pain-free.
My patients deserve honestyandproficiency from their dentist, so youll only find cutting-edge and effective technologies at my office. Also, youll always find me wearing enhanced magnification, known as dental loupes, when diagnosing and treating patients. While my eyesight is excellent, this enhanced magnification allows me to find and treat even the smallest problems.
Finally, I believe in sparing no expense in continuing education courses. My time learning advanced techniques across the country allows me to offer my patients the very best. At our office, we are continually growing professionally and personally to make our patients experience with us one they actually enjoy. After all, improving our patients smiles and enhancing their lives is what its all about.
If youre an established patient, thank you for the pleasure of being your dentist. I appreciate your continued confidence and referrals. If youre a new patient, my staff and I look forward to brightening your smile and, hopefully, bettering your lif
Dr. Hopkins lives in Gulfport, Ms. His son Graham is a senior at Wake Forest Medical School, while his son Worth is beginning William Carey Medical School this 2016. When not working, Dr. Hopkins enjoys boating, scuba diving, golfing, kayaking, photography and traveling.