James A. Parelli, DMD, MD, MS.Ed
Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
I'd like to welcome you to Providence Oral Surgery.
A little about me. I was born in the northeast, but I moved up and down the east coast for my education. After more than a decade of frigid northeastern winters, I decided I would head southbound for good. I've lived in the south for most of my life, and there's no other place I'd call home.
I’m very passionate about what I do. I'm a meticulous surgeon, and I harp over the fine details of my craft. I understand that needing to see an oral surgeon can be frightening. Let me assure you that one of my true joys as a physician is making a potentially stressful experience a pleasant and comfortable one for those who choose our office. My team and I provide an atmosphere where our patients have the ability to relax and enjoy their time with us. To enhance your experience at Providence, I designed the office around a southern farmhouse concept, with traditional finishes and locally-made furniture.
Regarding my credentials, I am a Board-Certified, dual-degree Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, uniquely
trained as both a dentist and medical doctor. I have extensive education and training from some of the nation’s most competitive institutions. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia. I then completed a dual-degree program at the University of Pennsylvania, simultaneously earning a D.M.D. (Doctor of Medical Dentistry) from the Penn School of Dental Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education, MS.Ed., from the Penn Graduate School of Education. After completing dental school, I pursued medical school at Emory University School of Medicine, earning an M.D. (Doctor of Medicine). I then spent a year as a General Surgery resident at Emory. I completed my residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Emory University, and was honored to be selected as the residency’s Administrative Chief Resident in my final year, where I took on both the full load of surgical responsibilities as well as planned and orchestrated the entire residency’s academic and clinical curricula. I’m very organized and detail-oriented, so the position was a great fit!
I love the art and science of oral and maxillofacial surgery. My interests include dental implants and bone grafting, wisdom tooth extraction, facial rejuvenation with Botox/Xeomin and dermal fillers, and office-based anesthesia. I passionately enjoy performing life-changing, full-mouth rehabilitation with implant-supported prostheses. In fact, I've crafted hundreds of full-mouth makeovers as a surgeon at ClearChoice Dental Implant Center. I’m also just as enthusiastic about medicine as I am oral surgery. I frequently lecture on the medical aspects of dentistry and help clinicians with management of medically-complex patients. I also participate in surgical mission trips to Central and South America.
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Courtney, our son and daughter, Parker and Palmer, and our dog, Duke. I also enjoy playing guitar, and am an avid bow hunter. I enjoy yearly hunting trips to the Midwest with my father-in-law, Jim. I'm also a passionate photographer. All photographic artwork displayed throughout the office came from my camera, and are of local subjects. Another passion of mine is the process of college admissions. While working towards my Master's Degree at the University of Pennsylvania, I took particular interest in the admissions process at American colleges and universities. If you or a loved one is applying to college or professional school, I would be glad to review your admissions essay. I also serve as one of North Carolina’s alumni interviewers for the University of Pennsylvania.
I am very excited to meet you and my team and I look forward to your visit!
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Professional Associations:
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American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
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American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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American College of Surgeons
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North Carolina Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Education:
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Emory University, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Residency
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Emory University School of Medicine, M.D.
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University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, D.M.D.
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University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, M.S. Ed.
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University of Virginia, B.S. Biology with Minor in Chemistry
