REEDY RIVER DENTISTRY Dr. J. Hunter Hicklin, Owner Outgoing, meticulous, dedicated, dependable, trustworthy, patient, easygoing, adventurous What is the bravest thing you’ve ever done? Without a doubt, starting my own dental practice. It has been exciting and extremely rewarding but has had its share of challenging moments. I really had to trust that people would catch on to my vision. Like anyone else, I had my doubts and fears, but that comes with the territory. I figure that anything worth having in life will not always come easy.
What would I be surprised to learn about you? Despite living in the city, my wife and I have our own backyard chickens and a summer garden. We made a pact in 2012 to get egg-laying hens. After a lot of research, building a coop, and getting our neighbors’ approval, we haven’t looked back! The six “girls” have become part of the family and surprisingly our Boykin Spaniel, Cooper, does great with them. We have enjoyed eating fresh food that comes from our own yard and love sharing our eggs and produce.
What does home mean to you? Home means a lot of different things to me. My childhood was spent in Spartanburg, and I still love to go stay in the same house where I grew up. My wife is from Sumter, and after countless trips and getting married there, it has become a special place to me. We are blessed to both feel “at home” with each other’s families. As a student at Furman, Greenville became my home away from home, and now I’m proud to have returned here for good.
What would you do if you weren’t in your present occupation? I probably would have been a South Carolina DNR officer. My favorite hobbies include hiking, camping, kayaking, hunting, and fishing. Spending time outdoors has really given me a deep appreciation for our natural resources. It would be very rewarding to help protect and preserve them for future generations.
What is the best part of owning your own business? I have been able to envision and develop my dental practice from day one. I was well prepared as a result of having completed a general dentistry residency and working in some outstanding dental practices in the Upstate. I enjoyed being heavily involved in the design of my building, the selection of equipment, and putting together my team of compassionate employees. It is rewarding to have a growing number of patients trust us, and we love getting to know them beyond their dental needs.
What did you want to be when you grew up? My father was a family physician, so I grew up wanting to be a doctor like him. I saw how he developed lasting relationships with his patients and was able to care for them in so many ways. Although I took a slightly different route by going to dental school, I feel like I have found a profession that suits my personality while also serving people and my community.
Why should people do business with you? We go above and beyond to get to know what is important to you, besides just your dental concerns. Our goal is to treat you like we want to be treated, and do everything we can to make your experience as pleasant as possible. We understand people have anxieties and fears about dental appointments, and we bend over backwards to help you feel comfortable. If you have any special considerations related to your appointment times or treatment, we would like to accommodate them for you and your family.
Photography by: Related Images Photography
1803-A Augusta St., Greenville | 864.272.3091 | ReedyRiverDentistry.com Behind The Counter | 2013
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