With the announcement of one long-time dentist’s retirement, two practices will be merging with some new faces coming on board.

Dr. Cliff Duke announced that he is retiring on June 25, with Dr. Mitch Tatum of DeKalb Dental Center welcoming Dr. Duke’s patients. In addition, Dr. Tatum announced that new dentist, Dr. Alex Hayes, will be joining his practice.

All three dentists met for the announcements, with Dr. Tatum and Dr. Hayes praising Dr. Dukes’ legacy. “I want to congratulate Dr. Duke on his retirement,” Dr. Tatum said. “He is to be commended. I’ve seen his work from afar, and he’s been an excellent dentist for this town and they have been very lucky to have him.”

“I also want to congratulate Dr. Duke,” Dr. Hayes added. “This community has been blessed with some decades of great dentistry, and I will work really hard to make sure that legacy continues.”

When asked about his plans for retirement, Dr. Duke said family had priority. “I don’t have any real specific plans, but I’ve got some grandkids I’m going to do my best to spoil,” he said with a grin. “I’ve observed over the years that retired folks are some of the busiest folks I know, so I don’t expect to be bored.”

Dr. Duke has been a part of DeKalb County dentistry for many years. “I’ve been in my private practice for 42 years,” Dr. Duke said. “I worked for public health for about a year before that. I took over this practice from Dr. Jerre Hale in 1979.”

With DeKalb Dental Center welcoming Dr. Duke’s patients, Dr. Tatum said that there would be some changes to his practice. “We are adding Dr. Alex Hayes to our practice,” Dr. Tatum said. “We look forward to that, as he was an excellent candidate for coming on board. We will also be adding some new staff to insure that our existing patients, and our new patients, continue to have the best care that they are used to.”

Dr. Tatum has also served Smithville and DeKalb patients for many years, beginning his career in Woodbury. “I’ve been practicing here [Smithville] for 21 years, and practiced in Woodbury for five years before that. I hope to live up to Dr. Duke’s high standards of dentistry.”

The newcomer to the practice is not a newcomer to DeKalb County. Dr. Alex Hayes said he is excited about starting a new career in his hometown. “The best part about working here is the people,” Dr. Hayes said. “DeKalb County has some amazing people. I love it here, and I’m so excited to be back here.”

“I was raised here in DeKalb County,” Dr. Hayes continued. “I went to preschool here, and went through high school until I graduated in 2013. I’m very excited to be joining Dr. Tatum. I’m going to be seeing some of my friends and family, and look forward to meeting new people along the way.”

Dr. Duke ended with some reflections of years of service. “I just want to say to all my patients, it has been a profound honor to provide them care for the past 42 years. I am so grateful, and so much appreciate all of them sticking with me for so many years. I also want to thank the people that I work with, and having made me look forward every day to coming to work. And I want to thank my wife and children for making me look forward to coming home every night. Thank you all so much for all that you’ve done for me.”