Dr. Jake Hester

Dr. (Jake) Jordan Hester is a Diplomat and Board Certified Pediatric Dentist with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He was born and raised in the south and currently resides in Naples, Florida. He completed his undergraduate studies at Valdosta State University receiving a BA in Finance and a minor in Chemistry. As an undergraduate, he was the recipient of the President’s Scholarship and received Magna Cum Laude for his scholastic achievement. Dr. Hester went on to complete dental school at the University of Florida. During dental school, he was the recipient of several awards and accolades, including the Horace Wells Senior Student Award and a clinical achievement award. Additionally, he was selected as a recipient of the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program.

Dr. Hester practiced as a general dentist for several years for a nonprofit organization where he developed a passion for treating children and giving back to his community. This passion led to his Pediatric Dentistry residency at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health in Rochester, NY.

Since 2016, Dr. Hester has been an adjunct clinical assistant professor with the University of Florida working with the Naples Children and Education Foundation (NCEF) Pediatric Dental Center. He works with other University of Florida faculty members teaching pediatric dental residents how to properly manage and treat high-risk children and children with special needs.

Dr. Hester’s favorite aspects of being a pediatric dentist are hearing the belly laughs from the kids he treats and the relationships he builds with his patients and their families. He enjoys watching children grow with the knowledge and understanding of their oral health and its connection to their overall well-being. Dr. Hester strives to make a positive experience during each appointment and genuinely loves coming to work to take care of the kids in the community.

While he is not at the office, Dr. Hester spends time with his wife, Natalia, and their three beautiful boys, Octavio, Sebastiano, and Valerian. He enjoys telling his three boys long cheesy stories, date nights with his wife, supporting her on her ultra-running adventures, cuddling with their two dogs, and getting a little exercise. Come on over and Dr. Hester will make your tooth alright, alright, alright.

Education

  • UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER EASTMAN INSTITUTE FOR ORAL HEALTH, Rochester, NY – Certificate of Pediatric Dentistry – June 2016
  • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY (UFCD), Gainesville, FL Doctor of Dental Medicine – May 2010
    – American Dental Society of Anesthesiology Horace Wells Senior Student Award
    – Orthodontic Clinical Achievement Award; Psi Omega Dental Fraternity
  • VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY, Valdosta, GA – Bachelor of Business Administration with a Degree in Finance and a Minor in Chemistry. Magna Cum Laude; Beta Gamma Sigma; Alpha Lambda Delta; President’s First Year Scholars

Research

  • UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER EASTMAN INSTITUTE FOR ORAL HEALTH, Rochester, NY
    Comparison of Clinical and Photographic Calibration Using ICDAS
    J. T. Hester, C. L. Wong, D. T. Kopycka-Kedzierawski
    1st Place Basil G Bibby Competition AADR Rochester Chapter Poster Presentation
    AAPD Annual Session My Kid’s Dentist Poster Research Competition
  • UFCD DEPARTMENT OF ORTHODONTICS, Gainesville, FL
    A novel mechanical operant assay for assessment of orofacial pain
    J. T. Hester, T. A. Nolan, J. K. Neubert. Journal of Dental Research. 89A: 1165. 2010
    2nd Place UFCD Research Day Poster Presentation
    Poster Presentation at the American Association of Dental Research Annual Meeting
  • VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, Valdosta, GA
    A History of the Bryostatins: A Prominent Marine Natural Product. G. Abadi, et. al

Professional Associations

  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry
  • Florida Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • American Dental Association
  • Florida Dental Association
  • West Coast District Dental Association
  • Board member of the Collier Country Dental Association
  • Academy of Laser Dentistry
  • American Laser Study Club
  • Faculty member of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics
  • Volunteers with Gulf Coast Runners
  • Vice president of Gulf Coast Runners
  • Race director of the Barron Collier Companies Naples Half Marathon presented by ADG4 Antaramian Family
  • Gulf Coast Runners Race Liaison of the Collier County Public Schools 5k

Professional Experience

  • MAIN STREET CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY AND ORTHODONTICS, Cape Coral, FL – Pediatric Dentist
  • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, Naples, FL – Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry
  • GOLISANO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, Ft Myers, FL – Consulting Pediatric Dentist
  • AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FACIAL ESTHETICS (AAFE) – AAFE Clinical Faculty, AAFE Distinguished Mentor
  • HEALTHCARE NETWORK OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, Naples, FL – General Dentist
  • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY – Department of Community Dentistry and Behavioral Sciences Volunteer Faculty
  • UFCD PRECLINICAL PROSTHODONTICS, Gainesville, FL – Teaching Assistant
  • UFCD PRECLINICAL OCCLUSAL PRINCIPLES, Gainesville, FL – Teaching Assistant