Dr. Jill Parker received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Alabama and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. As a dental student, Dr. Parker was recognized in the top ten percent of students in clinical studies. She was also among a select group of students that received advanced training in prosthodontics. She was consistently on the Dean’s List in both her undergraduate studies as well as dental school. Dr. Parker was elected by her peers as honor council representative for all four years of dental school and was a member of the Student Government Association. She has been in private practice for 13 years.
Since dental school Dr. Parker has placed a great emphasis on continuing education to stay on top of the latest technology and provide the best patient care. While in Nashville, Dr. Parker received the ACE award for significant voluntary participation in continuing dental education. She was also elected by her peers to the dental education committee of the Nashville Dental Society. She has trained at the Spear Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Parker is a member of the American Dental Association, Alabama Dental Association, and Eight District Dental Society.
Dr. Parker also recognizes the importance of giving back. She has traveled to the Dominican Republic on several mission trips to serve those with no access to dental care. While attending dental school, she participated in Give Kids a Smile Day as well as the Project Smiles program which assists those who are unable to afford dental care. She also volunteered at Target House for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. While in Nashville, Dr. Parker was involved with the Interfaith Dental Clinic and was a regular volunteer at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. She was a member of Junior League of Nashville, Morgan County, and Huntsville.
Dr. Parker was born and raised in Decatur, Alabama. She became interested in dentistry at a very early age. It came from a day when she chipped her tooth. Looking back, it was really a small chip, but to a 10 year old girl it was a huge deal. Her dentist added a little filling material, handed her a mirror, and when she looked she knew… "I would learn how to do that, and I would learn how to do it well. ”In a third grade drawing contest titled "What do you want to be when you grow up?" she drew a dentist and never deviated from that path. The time and care Dr. Parker takes with every patient to explain treatment options is a heartwarming thing to witness. After practicing in Nashville, Dr. Parker decided it was time to come home to North Alabama. Although she enjoyed attending the University of Tennessee for dental school, she remains an Alabama fan at heart… Roll Tide! She currently lives in Huntsville with her fur babies, Sam and Tucker.
“It is obvious today when you watch Dr. Parker with her patients, she still remembers that little 10 year old girl... scared and unsure if she would ever be able to smile again. The time and care she takes with every patient to explain treatment options is a heartwarming thing to witness.