Originally from Utah, Dr. Hicken received a BS degree in Biology fromUtahState Universityin 1982. Hereceived his DDS degree formthe University of Oklahoma1986. Graduating with honors, he was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society, and also received an award for outstanding proficiency in childrens dentistry. Dr. Hicken completed a general practice residency at the VA hospital in Martinez, CA before entering privatepracticein 1987. Dr. Hicken and his wife, Jennette, have been happily married since 1980 and have four grown children and three beautiful granddaughters. When not caring for his patients, Dr. Hicken enjoys camping, hiking, hunting,traveling, and scuba diving with his family. He is active inhis church and community, and volunteers countless hours inthe Boy Scouts of America program.
Pam is our treatment coordinator. She has worked in the dental field since 1976 both as a dental assistant and as an office administrator. She has been with our practice since 2003. Pam takes pleasure in working with Dr. Hicken, his staff, and most of all, the patients. You can see it in her smile! Pam and her husband have two grown children, and a daughter-in-law. Pam is helpful in planning our office social events, and has been gracious in sharing her Lake Tahoe cabin with the staff.
Molly is a Registered Dental Hygienist, working part-time on Wednesday and Thursday. She graduated with honors from Weber State University, Ogden, Utah, in 1990.She began practicing in California shortly after that. During the first seven years she worked mostly in periodontics. She has been with Dr. Hicken since 1997, and enjoys the familiarity and friendships with her patients. She especiallylikes working with children andearning their confidence and smiles in a sometimes anxious situation. She enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. In her spare moments, Mollyenjoys sewing, crocheting, playing piano, photography, and serving in herchurch.
Bethany began working as a dental assistantin our office in 1998. She attended Napa Valley College, and received her AS degree in Dental Hygiene from Sacramento City College in 2002. Bethany enjoys interacting and educating patients from different backgrounds, personalities and ages on how to maintain healthy smiles. Besidescleaningteeth, her goal is to help those who are nervous or apprehensive feel at ease in the dental chair. When not at work, Bethanycan be foundspending time with her husband and two children. She volunteers at school and Girl Scout activities. She enjoys being outdoors walking, jogging, and swimming. She also enjoys cooking, baking, and arts and crafts.
Angie was born and raised in Hawaii, and brings her beautiful smile and aloha spirit to our office. She and her husband have traveled the world with the military, and are the parents of two daughters and a son. In 2001, while stationed in Tampa, Florida, she became a dental assistant through the Red Cross Volunteer Program. She became a Registered Dental Assistant in 2008. Angie enjoys hiking, working out, baking and spending time with family and friends. She states that she 'enjoys being part of a friendly and dedicated staff.'
A standard of excellence in personalized dental care enables us to provide the quality dental services our patients deserve. We provide comprehensive treatment planning and use restorative and cosmetic dentistry to achieve your optimal dental health. Should a dental emergency occur, we make every effort to see and care for you as soon as possible.
As a practice, we are true believers that preventative care and education are the keys to optimal dental health. We strive to provide dental health care vs. disease care. Thats why we focus on thorough exams checking the overall health of your teeth and gums, performing oral cancer exams, and taking x-rays when necessary. We also know that routine cleanings, flossing, sealants, and fluoride are all helpful in preventing dental disease. Not only are we focused on the beauty of your smile, were also concerned about your health. A review of your medical history can help us stay informed of your overall health, any new medications, and any illnesses that may impact your dental health.
Infection control in our office is also very important to us. To protect our patients and ourselves, we strictly maintain sterilization and cross contamination processes using standards recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
As your dental health professionals, we want you to be confident knowing that we are a team of highly trained and skilled clinicians. We pride ourselves in providing the care you need to keep your smile healthy. To give you the best possible service and results, we are committed to continual education and learning. We attend dental lectures, meetings, and dental conventions to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art dental care. Also, being members of various professional dental associations helps us to stay abreast of the changes and recommendations for our profession.
Building a foundation of trust by treating our patients as special individuals is vital to our success. We understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits, and how we can make a difference in providing a relaxing and positive experience. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible.