Dr. Hughes was born and raised in Herrin, Illinois. His family in Herrin goes back three generations. He attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel grade school and graduated from Herrin High School in 1980. He earned a bachelor degree in biology From Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in 1984 and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree in 1989 from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton, IL. After dental school, Dr. Hughes completed post-graduate training in Cosmetic and Reconstructive dentistry at the Pankey Institute, Key Biscayne, FL, and UCLA School of Dentistry. He received his initial Oral Implantology training at New York University, Manhattan, NY and I.V. Conscious Sedation certificate from University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL.

In November 2008, Dr. Hughes and his office were featured on the cover of Dental Economics magazine. Dental Economics is a nationally published, monthly magazine featuring the leading dentists and their offices in the U. S. In 2009, he completed a year long course of advanced surgical training under the direct supervision and mentorship of Dr. Hilt Tatum. Dr. Tatum is internationally recognized as one of the best Implant and Oral Reconstructive surgeons in the world.

On October 4th 2012, Dr. Hughes received the honor of being recognized as a “Diplomate” of the American Board of Oral Implantology in Washington, D.C. at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

In 2013, Dr. Hughes became a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.

Because of Dr. Hughes’ interests in making dental visits easy and comfortable, especially for the most anxious patients, he is licensed to administer Intravenous Conscious Sedation.