By Whitney Donohue

Moapa Valley Progress

Pediatric dentist, Dr. Cody Hughes, will be opening an office in the former Curtis Family Dental building in Logandale. A special open house will be held on October 6.

Moapa Valley will have a new dentist beginning in October. Dr. Cody Hughes, a pediatric dentist who currently has an office in Mesquite, will be opening a new office in the former Curtis Dental building next to Logandale Park.

Initially offering services only a couple of times a month, Hughes is hoping to expand his Logandale office hours.

Hughes has been a pediatric dentist for two years. He completed his residency in 2009. He currently practices one day a week in Mesquite, and spends the other four days teaching a pediatric curriculum at the UNLV Dental School. He also works with the pediatric residency programs.

Hughes grew up in Mesquite, where his father is currently serving as the principal at Virgin Valley High School.

Hughes and his family currently live in Las Vegas, and travel to Mesquite on Fridays. He said that he would eventually like to move to Logandale and focus on his office here.

Hughes has been married for ten years and has three children: a six year old daughter, a two year old son, and a 5 ½ month old son. He jokingly expresses concern with the idea of raising his kids as Pirates after his own Bulldog upbringing.

Pediatric dentistry is a unique field, Hughes said. “There’s a lot of aspects in dentistry when it comes to children that make them different,” he stated. “That makes it a lot of fun. I like working with kids. I really wanted to focus my efforts and start with them. I wanted to model their habits in oral health before they become bad habits. The effect it can have on their lives can be amazing for their overall health.”

Dr. Hughes will be sharing office space with Dr. Vernon Pollock, an orthodontist based out of Mesquite.

Hughes and Pollock will be hosting an open house at the new Logandale office on Thursday, October 6, starting at 6:00 pm. Light refreshments will be served. All are invited to come in and meet the staff. There will be drawings for door prizes as well, including a Sonic Care Kids Toothbrush.

Dr. Hughes office is already accepting appointments for the beginning of October. Call 702-371-1829 for more information.