Tom F. Cockerell, Jr., MEd, DDS
Dr. Cockerell began his practice in 1979 upon his graduation from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Cockerell completed his undergraduate degree in Chemistry at Texas Wesleyan University and a Master's degree in Education from Texas Christian University.
Throughout his practice experience Dr. Cockerell has completed numerous continuing education courses in all phases of dentistry including work towards a Master of Science degree in Oral Biology at Baylor/A&M Dental College in Dallas, Texas. He has completed the Symposium on Esthetic Dentistry at Baylor/A&M dental school and the Dental Implant Symposium at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas.
In addition to offering general dental services, Dr. Cockerell is the founder of "Texas Special Care Dentistry." Since 1981 the office has been a receiving place for patients referred from dentists throughout North Central Texas. The patients typically have medical or psychological complicating factors which require a hospital setting or IV sedation to complete their dental care.
Dr. Cockerell's interest outside of his dental practice include his family, music, book study groups, musical theater, traveling, church, watching C-Span and book tv, watering gardenias, at times hosting three dogs and maintaining a 100 year old home. He is the founder and CEO of a company that has created a series of Internet-based clinical modules useful in the management of dental care. The application, Dental Symphony™, is used by dentists in the United States and other countries. www.dentalsymphony.com.
Dr. Cockerell continues a legacy of health care in Fort Worth. His father, Tom Cockerell, Sr. D.D.S. has practiced dentistry in Fort Worth for over 60 years and his mother, Gwendolyn Fouts, practiced as a Registered Nurse for many years also while maintaining a home for five children.
Married to Patti for 36 years they have three children - Bree, Daron and Jameson.
Our Staff
Stayci - Business manager - stayci@tomcockerelldds.com
Ruby - Recall manager - ruby@tomcockerelldds.com
Marlene - Treatment coordinator - Marlene@tomcockerelldds.com
Linda - Dental hygienist - linda@tomcockerelldds.com
Michelle - Dental hygienist - michelle@tomcockerelldds.com
Patti - Office manager - appointments@tomcockerelldds.com
Our Philosophy
We believe good dental care is helped by good communication between the patient and the dental staff. An informed patient can make better decisions about choices for dental treatment. Our goal is to provide you clear information about your dental condition and the treatment choices available, and then to provide you the best appropriate dental care that we can.
We want you to have pain-free dental care.
Preventive dentistry is an important part of our practice and begins with keeping the enamel of the teeth strong and resistant to decay. We focus on keeping the gums healthy and helping you resist diseases that threaten oral health. We use the very latest research information to assess your risk for decay and gum problems in order to design a program aimed at lessening the risk.
After preventive dentistry is addressed, we turn our attention to the following:
- Removal of hopeless teeth: We keep in mind your desires to live free of pain, to be able to chew well, to have a pleasant smile, and to keep your expenditure for dental care controlled.
- Restoration of teeth: We may consider using an alloy type of filling, a tooth-colored bonded filling, or crowns. We may recommend root canal therapy if an important tooth's nerve has been damaged from decay or trauma.
- Restoration of chewing ability: We may suggest non-removable bridges, implants or removable appliances.
- Cosmetic care: A variety of treatment is available, including whitening, bonding, veneers or crowns.
The real world of dental care can be quite fluid. We typically will work on all aspects of care simultaneously to ensure the best result for you.