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James E Hopper D.D.S., Inc

Dentist in San Diego, CA

All our professionals at Dr. Hopper's Office maintain the highest levels of accreditation and pursue ongoing education to stay abreast of the latest trends in dentistry.

Dr. James Hopper

Dr. Hopper graduated from USC School of Dentistry in 1973, after doing his undergraduate work at UCLA and University of Maryland. Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Hopper served three years in England in the US Air Force as a captain in the dental corps, where he rotated through all of the dental specialties. After fulfilling his military obligation, Dr. Hopper moved to San Diego County. In 1979 Dr. Hopper started his current private practice in the Mira Mesa area of San Diego.

Dr. Hopper knew he wanted to be a dentist from a very early age. He worked hard to become the best clinician possible, and, as our hygienists know from viewing his dentistry all the time, he is very good at what he does. He is not only a perfectionist with his dentistry, he is excellent at making a patient feel at ease in the chair and educating the patient about what is being done. His chairside manner and the way he can make something seem easier than it is are two of the characteristics that keep patients coming back.

Dr. Hopper's practice philosophy is for complete and comprehensive dental care for all patients. Since most all of our patients are referred by family members and friends of current patients, a level of mutual trust exists, allowing for optimal dental health care. It is our belief that excellent dental health is imperative to excellent general health. We know that teeth are the one part of the body that can be as functional at 88 years of age as they are at 18, and with our ever aging bodies and increasingly active life styles, we need our teeth to be fit! Our aim is to have your mouth totally healthy and functional for as long as you live.

Dr. Hopper believes strongly in the old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." As a result, he prides himself in always working with the best hygienists in San Diego, since they are the ones who emphasize the periodontal (gum) health in the office. Dr. Hopper has a general dental practice, but with a strong emphasis in periodontics.

Dr. Hopper attends regular post graduate courses and study clubs to stay abreast of the latest in dentistry. He strives to be on the cutting edge of technology in dentistry, and he uses CEREC for one appointment onlay and crown preparations whenever possible. (You will be able to check out CEREC in another area on the website)

Dr. Hopper lives in Poway with his wife, Kathy.  They are now "empty nesters," since their two youngest children are away at college.  Lindsey, 21, is a senior at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Charlie almost 20, is a sophomore at the University of Colorado, Boulder.  Their older daughters, Megan and Julie, have contributed three adorable children to the family. The grandchildren are such a joy in that empty nest.

The Office Staff

Our front desk personnel, JILL and KATHY, will help to schedule your appointments, discuss treatment options with you, and try to help facilitate insurance processing.  Both ladies have been in clinical dentistry for many years, so they should be able to help you with questions you may have.

JILL has worked for Dr Hopper since 1980.  She was a Registered Dental Assistant, working chairside with Dr Hopper for many years; Jill moved to the front desk halfway through her career in our office.  We  are lucky to have Jill as she is so good with patients, and her dental knowledge and experience make patients feel comfortable with her assistance in their treatment planning.  Jill’s husband, Bob, is a retired firefighter, and they have two children, Amber and Chad, who attend college locally.

KATHY has also worked in the office since 1980.  She worked as a Registered Dental Hygienist for the first 10 years, before taking off some time to have children.  Upon her return she moved to the front desk.  Now Kathy sits alongside and assists Jill with patient coordinating.  Website work is an added job for Kathy as we try to keep up with 21^stcentury changes.  Kathy’s children are either in college or grown with children. 

Our dental assistants, APRIL and ALEXIS, work directly with Dr Hopper.  He would be the first one to let you know how much he expects from these young women.  They must perform to his high standards and have a lot of on the job training beyond what they received in school.

APRIL is a dental assistant who has worked with Dr Hopper for one year now.  She happily says that working for Dr Hopper has been a great experience, but we all know that she had to work through some times when she did the work of two people in the back.  She loves the patients, and it shows.  Her husband, Daniel, is a treatment coordinator at Stein Education, and they have a toddler named Jazmine.

Our dental hygienists, MICHELLE, LAURA and IRINA, have all been with us 5 years or longer.  They have been able to offer the kind of continuity in treatment that patients rely on.  They each have their own individual style, but all have clinical expertise and post graduate training.  

MICHELLE has the most tenure, having started work with us in the fall of 2003.  She is a 1984 graduate from the University of Maine and has practiced Dental Hygiene for twenty seven years now.  Michelle’s first interest in dentistry began while assisting her father at age 11 when he was a dentist in Pennsylvania.  Michelle relocated from the East Coast to San Diego 8 years ago.  She lives in Carmel Valley with her husband, Chris, and their two sons, Andrew, a college student, and Corey, a Torrey Pines High student.

LAURA came to our office in the fall of 2005.  Laura graduated with a degree in Dental Hygiene from Mt Hood Community College in Oregon.  Laura brings 30 years of dental experience to our office, and she is board certified in three other states besides California!  She and her family moved around, so she is also certified in Oregon, Colorado and Florida.  Laura’s husband, Steve, is a United Airlines pilot, and they have three sons, Nick, Tom, and Mac.

IRINA started as a hygienist in our office in 2006.  Irina was born and raised in Russia.  She studied at the University of Saint Petersburg 1985 – 90, where she studied Civil Engineering.  After moving to the United States, she studied Dental Hygiene at Normandale Community College in Minnesota, where she graduated in 1997.   Irina’s husband, Gary, is a financial advisor, and they have two girls, Inesa, who is a SDSU student, and Lexy, a preschooler.   

All of our staff is committed to your complete and comprehensive dental care. Please advise us of any questions or concerns that you may have. We always strive to make our patients comfortable and happy that they are with us.