Crafting High Quality Smiles
In the New Bern, Trent Woods, River Bend & Bridgeton Area
Dr. James Purvis
Dr. Purvis earned a B.S. in biology from Campbell University in 2009 and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2013. He subsequently joined this practice and has been serving the community for over eleven years.
During his time in dental school at UNC, Dr. Purvis served as the president of his senior class. He also served as the president of the UNC Dental Chapter of the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association from 2012-2013. Nationally, he served as the Speaker of the House for the Student Professionalism and Ethics Association during the fiscal year of 2012. He has served as the president of the Jones, Craven, Pamlico Dental Society, is a member of the NCDS 5th District Board of Trustees, and served as the president of the NCDS 5th District from 2023-2024. Dr. Purvis currently serves as a Trustee at his alma mater, Campbell University. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Dental Society. He currently serves as the Parliamentarian of the North Carolina Dental Society House of Delegates. Nationally, Dr. Purvis serves on the American Dental Association's New Dentist Committee. Dr. Purvis received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2009 from Campbell University, and he recently received the North Carolina Dental Society's Outstanding Young Dentist Award in 2023. He is a fellow in the International College of Dentists as well as the American College of Dentists. From 2022-2024, Dr. Purvis also served on the American Dental Association's Council on Ethics, Bylaws, and Judicial Affairs, where he was recently appointed to serve as a consultant.
He is married to his wife, Veronica. Together, they have a 4-year-old son, Birch Ransom. Dr. Purvis enjoys studying theology, philosophy, Christian apologetics, as well as playing the trumpet and the piano.
Dr. Donovan Godwin
Dr. Godwin received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from West Virginia University in 2017. Prior to dental school, he received his BS degree in Marketing and his MBA from West Virginia Wesleyan College.
He is passionate about helping his patients improve their oral health, and enjoys volunteering at the MERCI clinic.
He and his wife Casey love living in eastern North Carolina, and in his spare time he enjoys boating, fishing, and cheering on his West Virginia Mountaineers.
Dr. Justin Shimer
Dr. Shimer earned his BS degree in Biology from North Carolina State University and then went on to complete his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at ECU School of Dental Medicine.
Throughout his academic career, Dr. Shimer has demonstrated a strong commitment to patient care and providing the highest quality of dental services. Dr. Shimer strives to be a lifelong learner; he regularly attends continuing education courses to ensure that his patients receive the most advanced and effective treatments.
Born-and-raised in Eastern North Carolina, Dr. Shimer is proud to be able to practice in New Bern and provide care to the local community.
In his free time, Dr. Shimer enjoys being with family, golfing, and visiting the beach. In May of 2023, Dr. Shimer married his high school sweetheart Langley. Together, they reside in his wife’s hometown of Trenton.
"Dr. Purvis is the greatest dentist I’ve ever been too. He makes you feel welcomed and cared about. He genuinely cares about all his patients. He explains exactly what he’s doing, why he’s doing it, and how it’ll help. Dr. Shimer is the same! Understanding how to properly explain what they are doing to someone who doesn’t understand much about teeth, helps not only with anxiety, but also with helping to better understand how to care for teeth. Not to mention the dental assistants and hygienist are all amazing! Candy and Jessica are superb! And can’t forgot about the front desk ladies! The friendliest people I have ever met! Vicky, Nicole, Heather! They are all the best of the best of the best!"
