Today we’d like to introduce you to Arlisha Hicks, DDS.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and from an early age I knew I wanted to work with children, specifically a dental hygienist. After graduating high school, I left Houston to pursue my education and did not get accepted into hygiene school. I went to a dental appointment that summer and my pediatric dentist told me “Keep going up, there is no need to stop at the hygienist level, become the dentist so that you can take my spot”. From there, I went back to school to finish my bachelors degree to apply for dental school. I’ve lived in Dallas, Nashville, Miami and Vegas, learning techniques for my career and applying those to the real work field. Those years away gave me the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally, learn from incredible mentors, and gain experiences that shaped the kind of dentist I wanted to become.
Even while I was away, I always knew my goal was to return home. Houston is where my roots are, where my family and community are, and where I wanted to build something meaningful. Coming back allowed me to combine the knowledge and experience I gained with my passion for serving the families who helped shape me.
That vision led to the creation of kiDDS Blvd Pediatric Dentistry, a practice built around making dental visits fun, comfortable, and positive for children while giving parents confidence that their child is receiving exceptional care. Today, I’m grateful to serve the community I grew up in and to help children build healthy smiles that will last a lifetime. Returning home wasn’t just the next step in my career it was coming full circle and fulfilling the dream of giving back to the city that gave me so much.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely wasn’t a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges I faced was not getting accepted into dental school the first time I applied. It was disappointing, but instead of giving up, I chose to use that time to grow. I worked as a dental assistant to stay active in the dental field, strengthen my clinical skills, and gain a deeper understanding of patient care. That experience ultimately made me a stronger future dentist and reinforced that this was the career I was meant to pursue.
Years later, I faced another major challenge while opening my own pediatric dental practice. There were several aspects of the process that couldn’t move forward until I received the final “yes” and approvals I needed. It felt like everything was on hold, and there were moments of uncertainty where I questioned the timing. Opening a practice involves countless moving pieces, and many of them depend on approvals that are completely outside of your control. Learning to be patient while continuing to prepare behind the scenes was one of the hardest parts of the journey.
Looking back, both experiences taught me the same lesson: setbacks don’t always mean “no” sometimes they simply mean “not yet.” Those moments challenged me to be resilient, trust the process, and keep moving forward. Today, they make me even more grateful for the opportunity to care for children and serve my community through my own practice.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about kiDDS Blvd Pediatric Dentistry?
At KiDDS Blvd Pediatric Dentistry, our mission is to make going to the dentist something children actually look forward to. We specialize exclusively in caring for infants, children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs, providing comprehensive pediatric dental care in an environment that feels welcoming, fun, and stress-free.
From the moment families walk through our doors, we want them to feel like they’re part of our family. Our office was intentionally designed with kids in mind, creating an experience that feels more like an adventure than a doctor’s appointment. We take the time to build trust with each child, explain things in a way they can understand, and help them develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.
What truly sets us apart is the relationships we build. We believe every child deserves individualized care, patience, and compassion. As a locally owned practice, we’re deeply invested in our community and are passionate about making a positive impact beyond the dental chair. Whether we’re visiting schools, participating in community events, or partnering with local organizations, we love finding ways to educate families and give back.
I’m especially proud of the culture we’ve created at KiDDS Blvd. We focus on treating every child as if they were our own, celebrating big milestones, easing fears, and creating positive memories that can shape how they feel about dental care for years to come. Seeing a child who was once anxious leave smiling, or even excited for their next visit, is one of the greatest rewards.
More than anything, I want people to know that KiDDS Blvd isn’t just a dental office it’s a place where children are seen, heard, encouraged, and cared for. Our goal is to help every child grow up with a healthy smile and a positive relationship with dentistry, while giving parents confidence that their child is receiving exceptional, compassionate care every step of the way.
What are your plans for the future?
Right now, my biggest focus is continuing to grow KiDDS Blvd Pediatric Dentistry in a way that never loses sight of why I started it to provide exceptional, compassionate care for children and become a trusted resource for families in our community.
As we continue to grow, I’m excited to expand our community outreach through school visits, educational events, and partnerships with local organizations. I want KiDDS Blvd to be known not only for providing excellent dental care but also for helping families understand the importance of oral health and giving back to the community we serve.
I’m also looking forward to growing our team and creating opportunities for people who share our passion for caring for children. Building a positive workplace culture is just as important to me as creating a positive experience for our patients.
Long-term, I hope to expand the practice so we can reach even more families while maintaining the personalized, welcoming experience that makes KiDDS Blvd special. Every decision I make is centered around providing the best possible experience for our patients and continuing to build a practice that children are excited to visit and parents trust.
More than anything, I’m excited to see the children who started with us as toddlers grow up with healthy smiles and confidence. Being a small part of their journey and watching our practice become a lasting part of the community is what I’m looking forward to most.
Pricing:
- For patients without insurance Membership plans are available
- 0-2 $299/year
- 3 and up $399/year
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kiddsblvddentist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidds_blvd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573890467490
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/kidds-blvd-park-row?osq=kiDDS+Blvd+Pediatric+Dentistry
