Meet Our Team
Our staff is highly qualified, friendly and professional. We treat you, our valued patient, with the best care and the best treatments available anywhere. All of our staff members are commited to staying abreast of the latest in dental technology and procedures to ensure you receive the best individually tailored treatments to meet your dental health needs.
Dr. Gardner grew up in Newnan, Georgia. She attended Newnan High School, and then graduated with High Honor with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Georgia Tech. Dr. Gardner received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 2008. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Gardner volunteers regularly in the Baptist Dental Clinic in LaGrange and the Good Samaritan Dental Clinic in Newnan. Dr. Gardner’s husband, Bert, and their two daughters, Charlotte and Frances, live in Newnan. Dr. Gardner enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, and playing tennis.
Dr. Benjamin Higgins is a native of LaGrange, Georgia. He graduated with a Business Degree from North Georgia College and State University in 2008. While in college, Dr. Higgins began building custom cabinetry and started a small cabinet company. After college, Dr. Higgins returned to LaGrange where he worked as an Operations Manager at Duquette Cabinetry and Millwork. Deciding to alter his career, Dr. Higgins began focusing on the practice of dentistry. After completing two years of pre-requisite study, he attended the University of New England College of Dental Medicine in Portland, ME where he graduated in 2017. During dental school, Dr. Higgins was awarded membership into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honorary dental society and was chosen by faculty and administration to receive the UNE Clinical Excellence Award. Dr. Higgins is an active member of the American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Higgins is married to the former Amanda Cate and they have two daughters, Elsie and Olive.
Candy has been working for Childress Dental since October 2013. She has been married to Darren for 22 years and they have one daughter, Mary Katherine.
Amy graduated from Columbus State University in 1993 and has been practicing dental hygiene for over 23 years. Amy has been married to Ben for 16 years and they have four children. Now that our children are grown, we look forward to traveling and enjoying being a grandparents.
Judie graduated from Columbus College with a degree in Dental Hygiene in 1979. She has worked with Dr. Childress since he began his practice in 1991. She is married to Pat and they have two sons and one grandson.
Monica is a vivacious hygienist from the Bay Area in California. Before joining the team at Childress Dental, she worked at a pediatric office as well as volunteering at a VA Hospital. She followed the love of her life to the heart of the south after marrying Adam.
Dawn has been for working for Childress Dental since July of 2013. Dawn is married to Ryan and they have two daughters, Mackenzie and Macie.
Kelly has been a Dental Assistant with Childress Dental since 2015. Kelly is married to Kaylor Williams who is employed with Wellstar as an HVAC mechanic. She has a beautiful 6 month old daughter named Adalynn.
Brandy has been a Dental Assistant for 20 years. She has been married to Shane for 15 years. They have two sons, Dawson and Cole.
Katie has been with Childress Dental since May of 2017. She is a native of Lagrange, Georgia and is married to her high school sweetheart James. In 2013 she graduated from West Georgia Technical College with certifications in Medical Billing, Coding and Front Office Assistant.
Madison has been working for Childress Dental Center since June of 2017. Madison attends Columbus Technical College in hopes of attending dental hygiene school in the fall of 2018.