Dr. Kevin Raines loves the joys and challenges of being a Pediatric Dentist; in fact, it is something he wanted to do since he was in the 4th grade. He grew up in the Midlands area and graduated from Chapin High School. He then continued his education at Newberry College as a Biology major where he graduated Summa Cum Laude while lettering in basketball and baseball. Dr. Raines attended dental school at the Medical University of South Carolina then continued his specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University (formerly known as the Medical College of Georgia). He then returned to the Midlands to begin practice with Dr. Cross who was his pediatric dentist while growing up!
Dr. Raines has been very involved with organized dentistry since joining the profession. He is a member of the following professional organizationsGreater Columbia Dental Association, South Carolina Dental Association, American Dental Association, South Carolina Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentists, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Pierre Fauchard Academy (an International Honorary Dental Organization). He has served on several Task Forces within the SCDA and as President of the SC Society of Pediatric Dentistry. He has also been involved with several dental volunteer and charity events to serve those in need. Dr. Raines attends many hours of Continuing Education courses every year seeking ways to improve care for his patients on many different aspects of pediatric dentistry. He is also a member of the (g)nathos continuing orthodontic education group.
Dr. Raines values family time. He is married to his high school sweetheart and they have four children that keep them very busy. Whether boating on Lake Murray, shooting hoops, throwing baseball, or playing golf, he looks forward to the time spent with his family and friends. Dr. Raines has been very active coaching youth sports so he often sees many of his patients out in the community as they compete. He is a member of Gateway Baptist Church where he is a regular volunteer in the childrens ministry and has been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as a board member.
A native of Irmo South Carolina, Dr. Rob Nieders graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Biology from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society.
He then attended Dental School at the Medical University of South Carolina on a Navy Scholarship where he again graduated with honors and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. He spent a year in Beaufort, SC completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot before heading overseas to the Naval Hospital in Rota, Spain as a general dentist.
After his time in the Navy, Dr. Nieders returned to Charleston to complete his specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at MUSC. He then returned home to join the dental practice he grew up in, Palmetto Smiles!
Dr. Nieders is board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and serves as a Board Consultant and Board Examiner. He is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at MUSC and holds hospital privileges at Lexington Medical Center. He is a member of the ADA, SCDA, AAPD, SSPD, SCSPD, and attends church at Our Lady of the Hills in Irmo.
Dr. Nieders is married to his high school sweetheart and best friend and is the father of two active boys who keep him very busy with Boy Scouts, swimming, and soccer! Dr. Nieders enjoys mountain biking, camping and travel, and reads in the little bit of free time he can carve out in between driving his boys around!
Jamie Cross Gomez is a native of the Columbia area. She attended Irmo High School and Clemson University. After exploring a number of careers in the medical field, she decided that her talents were best suited for Dentistry.
Dr. Gomez is an active member of the American Dental Association, the South Carolina Dental Association, the MUSC Dental Alumni Board, and the Greater Columbia Dental Society. Volunteer work has always been important to Dr. Gomez and she routinely volunteers at the Children's Dental Health Clinic and Dental Access Days providing dentistry to the uninsured. Dr. Gomez is a member of a Frank Spear study club which meets regularly with area dentist to discuss the latest trends in dentistry today.
Caring for patients and attention to detail are two of the qualities that attracted Dr. Gomez to the dental profession. She has attended numerous continuing education courses on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. She has been a certified Invisalign provider since 2004 and loves to help patients improve their smiles and oral health. In 2011 Dr. Gomez incorporated computer aided dentistry into the practice. She can now provide crowns and onlays in one visit.
Dr. Heather Hopkins is originally from New Orleans, LA, but spent time in many states around the Southeast during her childhood. She attended Centre College in Danville, KY, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She went on to obtain her dental degree from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, where she graduated at the top of her class, leading to her induction into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Academic Honor Society. After dental school, she attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, where she earned her certificate in orthodontics and a Master's Degree in Oral Biology. Dr. Hopkins stays up to date on the latest orthodontic trends and has lectured both nationally and internationally on various orthodontic topics.
Before moving to South Carolina, Dr. Hopkins had the opportunity to work in a cosmetic office in Beverly Hills. There she had many unique opportunities including working with Katy Perry on her 'Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)' music video. Dr. Hopkins also appeared on several TV shows including 'The Doctors', 'Extra,' and MTV 's 'Fantasy Factory.' While treating patients in Southern California, she gained extensive experience in Invisalign and Lingual (on the inside of your teeth) braces.
Dr. Hopkins and her husband Jeff have a two year old daughter Harper, and are excited about the birth of their second child this Spring! Outside the office Dr. Hopkins enjoys staying active, and she has completed over 25 marathons and 1/2 marathons all across the country. She enjoys long training runs with her dogs Sebastian and Winston.
Dr. Hopkins enjoys volunteering with several organizations. She has a brother who suffers from autism; and working with special needs children is dear to her heart. She works with the Special Olympics and Challengers Sports League. Additionally, she has competed in multiple Team in Training events, an organization dedicated to raising money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma society.