Why He Was Nominated

Dr. Cockley goes to great lengths to calm nervous kids at his high-energy, low-stress practice. He has even been known to bust out with the “SpongeBob SquarePants” theme song to make his young patients smile and put them at ease.

Favorite Aspect of Dentistry

“Providing treatment to a child who is frightened at the start, but who by the end is smiling and calm.”

Tool He Can't Live Without

Digital X-rays. They enable him to get images as quickly as possible — a critical attribute when he has wiggly young patients in his operatory chairs.

Something People Don't Know

“I was a butcher for three years before college.” Dr. Cockley’s job was to apportion and cut beef steaks. He says the experience taught him two
valuable skills: how to ensure great customer service — and how to cook.