Gentle. Professional. Caring. Honest.
Our friendly, professional and highly trained dental team is looking forward to welcoming you and your children. We are here to make your child’s treatment as fun, stress-free, and comfortable as possible!
Meet Your Pediatric Dentists
William Whatley, DMD
St Simons Island Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Education
Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry - Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital
DMD - Medical College of Georgia
BA in Accounting - Augusta College
PROFESSIONAL/AWARDS
American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry
Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
American Dental Association
Georgia Dental Association
Gnathos Study Group
ABOUT
For over 25 years, Dr. William Whatley has been providing children with exceptional, comprehensive pediatric dental care. Highly educated, he received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Augusta College and his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Whatley then obtained a Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Certificate from the Medical University of South Carolina Children's Hospital. Dr. Whatley became a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist in 2010.
Dr. Whatley feels it is important to stay on the cutting-edge of pediatric dentistry. Thus, he maintains memberships in many prestigious professional organizations to keep up-to-date on the latest techniques and technology. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association and Gnathos Study Group.
Dr. Whatley and Michelle have been married since 2000. He has two sons, Ben and Joel. In his free time, Dr. Whatley enjoys spending time with his family, friends, fishing and tinkering around the house.
Dr. Jennifer Wells, DMD
St Simons Island Board Certified Pediatric Dentist
Education
A lifelong Georgian, Dr. Jennifer Wells earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Georgia and her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry (now the Dental College of Georgia). Dr. Jen also completed the rigorous Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry and has practiced as a board-certified pediatric dentist for over 25 years.
Deeply passionate about helping children, she has dedicated her career to the care of children, adolescents, and special needs patients throughout the state of Georgia. She is an active member of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the Georgia Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Georgia Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.
Married to fellow dentist Dr. Erik Wells, Dr. Jenn owned and operated Healthy Smiles Children’s Dentistry, a pediatric dental practice near Athens, Georgia for over 20 years. They are the proud parents of two beautiful adult daughters and two rescue dogs and are excited to be relocating to Southeast Georgia. Apart from spending time with her family, Dr. Jenn is an avid reader and enjoys volunteering in church ministries.
Joanna Hooper, DMD
St Simons Island Family Dentist
Education
Dr. Joanna Hooper grew up in Jupiter, South Florida. A Florida Gator through and through, she studied at the University of Florida for her undergraduate degree and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD), graduating with honors from the University of Florida School of Dentistry in 2009. Passionate about serving the communities of southeast Georgia, Dr. Joanna has practiced dentistry in the Golden Isles for over a decade, focusing on children, adolescents, and special needs adults. She has logged many hours of continuing education and is an active American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) member.
Married to fellow dentist Dr. Jason Hooper, an Endodontist serving the Golden Isles, Dr. Joanna loves spending time with her family and being a mom to their four children.
Dr. Erik Wells, DMD
St Simons Island Family Dentist
Education
Dr. Erik Wells earned his Bachelor of Science from Furman University and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry (now the Dental College of Georgia). Dr. Erik went on to serve in the United States Army as an advanced general dentistry resident taking care of our troops at Fort Benning, Georgia.
He has practiced dentistry for nearly 30 years with the concentration of his career being on children, adolescents, young adults and special needs adults. Dr. Erik is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the Georgia Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
An advocate for children in need, Dr. Erik is passionate about volunteering in dental clinics for underserved communities. Dr. Erik’s service to the dental profession includes positions held at the local, state, and national levels for the American Dental Association. He is currently the Vice President of the Georgia Dental Association and will go on to represent over 4000 dentists as the 2027 President of the GDA.
Dr. Erik enjoys staying fit through exercise, volunteering in church ministries, and is also an avid reader. Dr. Erik is married to Dr. Jen Wells, a board-certified pediatric dentist, and they are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, both of whom are in college. The Doctors Wells practiced together for 20 years in their own pediatric dental practice near Athens, Georgia, and are excited to be starting a new chapter in the Golden Isles, attending the dental health needs of the patients of Southeast Georgia.
Let us change the way you feel about the dentist.™
Coastal Kids Dentistry is a practice of the Georgia Smile Group, owned and managed by Zachary Powell, DMD. Dr. Powell, a former president of the Georgia Dental Association, has served families on the Georgia coast for many years. He and his team are dedicated to providing a non-corporate, highly personalized dental experience.
Our Adult Practice Locations: St. Simons Island, GA • Brunswick, GA • Brunswick - South Port, GA • Blackshear, GA • Alma, GA
