Goodman Dentistry has moved to a new location — right next door to their previous, historic building.
This is their second expansion since Dr. Goodman took over the practice, which used to be Dr. Hacker Dental, owned by Jack Hacker, and later joined by his son David. Jack Hacker passed away in 2016; David has retired.
Goodman's first expansion, in 2014, made room for more equipment and staff.
Goodman's latest expansion continues to enlarge the space for more equipment, and his cousin Dr. Jake Goodman has joined the practice.
Dr. Goodman and Dr. Jake both enjoy building relationships with their patients, helping people feel better and be more confident with their smiles. "I see people two times a year, every year, throughout their whole lives. Now I'm seeing the children's children — grandchildren of Dr. Hacker's patients," says Dr. Goodman.
Goodman says one of his favorite moments as a dentist so far involved a tearful patient. "I've had a patient smiling, in tears, because she was so happy with her smile," he says.
Goodman grew up in Miller, and graduated from UMKC Dental School. He has served the Bolivar community for 21 years, since 2005, when he moved into Hacker's office. Services he provides include implants, full-mouth restoration, root canals, extractions, dentures, partials and Invisalign.
Many people are apprehensive about going to dentists. Dr. Goodman says he uses mild sedation such as nitrous, or laughing gas, to help fearful patients through certain procedures.
Cost is another aspect that may cause some patients apprehension. To ease that pain, he takes all kinds of dental insurance.
Goodman says the new building provides more parking, doubles the office space, allowing them to accommodate more patients and hire additional hygienists, too. He also says his staff is highly trained and has good experience.
"One just retired, going on 30 years," he said of a staff member. "She'd been here longer than me."
Goodman grew up on a farm and still enjoys farm life in addition to his dental practice. He says he owns and operates a ranch with horses and cattle, and he enjoys hunting.
Education is important to him, and he serves on the Bolivar Board of Education.
With the new space and with the addition of his younger cousin last month, known to his patients as Dr. Jake, Goodman Dentistry is adding Friday appointments.
Jake follows closely in his cousin's footsteps. He grew up in Dadeville and enjoys outdoor activities. In fact, his first degree was not in dentistry, but Agronomy. He sold tractors for a while and then was a field man for an ag company, but then he returned to school at UMKC and finished his degree in dentistry in May 2026.
Jake is starting on Invisalign courses now and says he will expand his training as he goes.
He says they do not use mercury fillings at Goodman Dentistry, but they will remove them if they are causing a problem. Ordinarily, though, they will leave them alone, so they don't cause further damage.
Dr. Jake's hobbies include hiking, gardening, fishing, riding horses and camping.
Despite their similar interests, their age difference has hampered a close relationship for the two Goodman dentists. "I'm able to learn quite a bit from him, so it's been really good," said Dr. Goodman of his younger cousin. He says they are drawing closer, as they work together now.
The two are looking forward to growing the business, which is rooted in caring for people, easing their pain and building more confident smiles.
