Melissa Nix and Jennifer Davis

Women of Homewood 2017

Melissa Nix, Jennifer D. Davis

Davis and Nix Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

At Davis and Nix Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, dentistry is a family affair.

The two dentists at the practice, Jennifer D. Davis, MSN, DMD, and Melissa Nix, DMD, are related — Davis is Nix’s aunt. The practice was started in July 1950 by Davis’ father and Nix’s grandfather, Dr. Roy G. Davidson Jr. The practice was originally located in Edgewood.

“Occasionally patients say, ‘I was one of your daddy’s first patients back when you could get your teeth cleaned for $2 and a gold crown for $35,’” Davis said. “We have a very good reputation and a long standing in the community for quality dentistry and treating people well.”

Davis was a nurse for 10 years and has an MSN degree, but a few years out of college she decided she wanted to pursue dentistry like her father had before her. She entered practice with her father in 1990, and she worked with him until 1997, when he retired at age 75.

In June 2007, Nix joined the practice, once again making it a family affair. Davis and Nix has been at its current location of 2828 Central Ave. in Homewood since October 2007.

“We have a reputation for treating people and families right, not over-treating them and taking good care of them,” Davis said. “People have been trusting us for many years. We have very loyal patients.”

Davis said the practice sees many families, some that have been coming to the practice for as many as four generations. Davis and Nix’s commitment not just to their patients’ teeth but to their lives is a cause for their loyalty.

“We do care about patients,” Davis said. “We keep up with them. My daddy’s philosophy was the golden rule, to treat others how you want to be treated, to treat patients how we would treat our family — don’t do what’s not necessary, do quality work and treat people like we would want to be treated, like family.”

Patients also receive an individualized approach, Nix said. “We see them as more than just a patient or another tooth coming in the door.”

A point of pride for the practice is its punctuality.

“We have a longstanding reputation for being punctual and not keeping people waiting for two hours,” Davis said. “People like that. We try to be respectful of people’s time.”

It’s Davis and Nix’s goal to provide the best possible service and to never sacrifice quality, Davis said. Everyone in the practice stays abreast of current technologies in dentistry and takes part in continuing education classes.

“We stay up with what’s going on in dentistry, technology and information wise,” Davis said. “We are always learning, trying to provide the best for our patients’ care.”

Davis and Nix often see patients’ anxiety about dental care alleviated after a visit to their office.

“Lots of patients come in with anxiety,” Nix said. “We are good at making patients feel comfortable and at home. They might come in with anxiety, but in the end say, ‘This is great and not what I expected. I don’t mind coming to the dentist anymore.’”

Their goal, Davis said, is to get their patients’ mouth in good shape and keep it there.

“If you can get their mouth fixed up and allay anxiety, it is a positive place to be,” Davis said. “A healthy mouth is a big step toward health in general.”

Both Davis and Nix say their patients are their favorite part of their business.

“People invite us to things they wouldn’t normally invite a health care provider to, like a retirement party,” Nix said. “We feel like a part of their family.”