They say you don’t have to brush your teeth, just the ones you want to keep. In reality, you should probably floss too.
Despite the importance of tooth care, many people dread going to the dentist’s office. At J. Parham Dentistry, Dr. James Parham and Dr. Luke Hanby set out daily to reverse this predisposition.
Recognizing that even one bad experience can lead to a lifetime of discomfort, they make it their mission to greet patients with kindness, clean teeth with care, and perform every dental procedure with the patient’s care in mind.
Dr. Parham and Dr. Hanby likewise encourage using their dental services for preventative care. That way, the worst scenarios can be avoided altogether. Being proactive about oral health goes far beyond the mouth, too; oral hygiene affects the heart, the body, and especially the mind (a good smile can go a long way for boosting self-confidence).
Dr. Al Hanby—Luke’s great uncle—built the office that now belongs to J. Parham Dentistry in the early 1980s. After graduating from dental school in 1974, Al established a longstanding professional career with deep roots in the community. He treated each individual as a whole person … with an uncanny ability to make people smile.
Luke grew up in Springdale going to see his great uncle for dental appointments, and he recalls having the exact opposite experience as so many others: he loved it. These positive experiences steered his career interests in the direction of dentistry.
Dr. Parham, meanwhile, grew up in Magnolia, Arkansas. He was raised primarily by his mother, but he was also receptive to the advice of his grandfather.
From an early age, Dr. Parham knew he wanted to help people. The prospect of dentistry gave him hope that he could make meaningful improvements to patients’ lives. In addition, the long-term relationships he had seen established between dentists and their patients helped cement his interest.
After completing dental school, Dr. Parham moved to Springdale, where he bought Dr. Al Hanby’s practice. That was in 2013, and a couple years later, Luke began shadowing Dr. Parham as he considered going to dental school himself.
Just last year, Luke graduated from dental school. Now, Dr. Parham and the younger Dr. Hanby work together at J. Parham Dentistry.
But the story doesn’t end there.
In continuing the patient-first philosophy and golden-rule approach that started with Dr. Al Hanby, their Springdale office has become even more intimately tied to community service. Dr. Parham created Smiles for Springdale, a non-profit organization that helps make their services more affordable for financially burdened patients.
“Smiles for Springdale is our charitable branch,” Dr. Parham said. “Though it isn’t technically through J. Parham Dentistry, it’s our separate way of giving back to the community. Sometimes people just need a fresh start, and we want to help them find that here.”
From growing up in Springdale, working under his great uncle, and volunteering at a free health clinic, Dr. Hanby developed a similar sense of responsibility to help others. His time on the Springdale Bulldogs football team likewise influenced his character in meaningful ways.
“Whenever someone sits down in my chair, I’m always thinking: ‘What can I do to help improve this person’s life?’” Dr. Hanby said. “You really have the power to make someone’s life better in that sense.”
As a dentist, Dr. Hanby views his ability to take away someone’s pain as an extraordinary asset. Smiles for Springdale has quickly become integrated as a part of his duty to help those who can’t otherwise afford care.
More than anything, these men represent a throughline of mentorship and values.
Dr. Al Hanby’s legacy and longstanding community trust became solid ground for Dr. Parham to stand on, fulfilling his own desire to help others. As Dr. Parham stewarded his own abilities—carrying forward the torch of Dr. Hanby’s people-first ethic—Luke and Dr. Parham joined forces. Having grown up in the community of Springdale and seeing firsthand the impact of his great uncle’s practice, the younger Dr. Hanby had his career shaped by both of the men who came before him.
Together, these three figures form a linked narrative of influence, succession, and continuity in Springdale dentistry. The connection between Dr. James Parham and Dr. Luke Hanby reflects not only generational continuity and professional succession but also a deeper communal solidarity—one that makes J. Parham Dentistry representative of the heart of Springdale: the kind of place that sees every person as a whole community unto themselves.
In continuing the patient-first philosophy and golden-rule approach that started with Dr. Al Hanby, their Springdale office has become even more intimately tied to community service.
As Dr. Parham stewarded his own abilities—carrying forward the torch of Dr. Hanby’s people-first ethic—Luke and Dr. Parham joined forces.
Ready for a fresh start? J. Parham Dentistry is currently accepting new patients. Plus, learn more about how Smiles for Springdale is helping our neighbors in need.
https://www.myspringdaledentist.com/
(479) 756-8631