Accepting New Patients
FIND US HERE
140 North Villa Street, Porterville, CA 93257
559-784-6523
Accepting New Patients
FIND US HERE
140 North Villa Street, Porterville, CA 93257
559-784-6523
Family legacy and heartfelt dedication define Dr. Jackson Lewis’s approach to dentistry at Richard Hardt’s Live Oak Dental Group. As a third-generation dentist with deep roots in Porterville, Dr. Lewis brings both exceptional training and a profound personal connection to our community. His journey to dentistry is a calling to continue his family’s tradition of caring for the oral health needs of local families.
Born and raised in Porterville, Dr. Lewis grew up surrounded by the dental profession. His grandfather, Dr. Ed Lewis, established a beloved dental practice in our community, creating the foundation for what would become a lasting family legacy. In the 1980s, Dr. Steve Lewis, Jackson’s father, joined his father’s practice and dedicated over 30 years to serving Porterville families with compassionate, skilled dental care.
Dr. Jackson Lewis’s path to dentistry was deeply influenced by witnessing his father’s genuine love for the profession and his dedication to patient care. Growing up, Jackson saw firsthand how dentistry could transform lives, restore confidence, and build lasting relationships between practitioners and patients. This inspiration fueled his determination to follow in his family’s footsteps and eventually work alongside his father as a third-generation dentist in the Lewis family.
Dr. Lewis’s educational journey reflects his commitment to excellence and service. He earned his bachelor’s degree in health science from Walla Walla University in 2019, building a strong foundation in the biological sciences that would serve him well in dental school. However, before pursuing his dental degree, Dr. Lewis chose a path that would profoundly shape his character and worldview.
Instead of immediately continuing to dental school, Dr. Lewis spent a transformative year as a missionary teacher in Majuro, a remote island in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific. This experience took him far from his California home to serve a community in need, teaching science to middle and high school students in challenging conditions. This year of service demonstrates Dr. Lewis’s compassion, adaptability, and commitment to helping others.
Upon returning from his missionary service, Dr. Lewis enrolled at the prestigious Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, the same institution where Dr. Hardt received his training. In 2024, he graduated with his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, equipped with the latest knowledge and techniques in modern dentistry. His education at Loma Linda emphasized both technical excellence and compassionate patient care, perfectly aligning with the values that drive our practice.
Dr. Lewis’s journey to joining our team was marked by profound personal loss. Tragically, his beloved father, Dr. Steve Lewis, passed away in late 2021 while Jackson was in his second year of dental school. This devastating loss occurred during one of the most challenging periods of his academic career, testing his resolve and commitment to the profession. The loss of his father, mentor, and inspiration could have derailed his dreams, but it instead strengthened his determination to honor his family’s legacy.
During this difficult time, Dr. Richard Hardt, a longtime family friend, decided to purchase the Lewis family practice. This gesture ensured that the legacy of compassionate dental care would continue and provided Dr. Lewis with a future home where he could honor his father’s memory while building his own career. The practice became Live Oak Dental, maintaining the warm, family-centered approach that patients had come to expect while incorporating Dr. Hardt’s expertise and vision.
Today, Dr. Lewis works within the same walls where his father practiced for over three decades, caring for many of the same patients who trusted the Lewis family for their dental needs. This continuity provides immeasurable comfort to longtime patients while allowing Dr. Lewis to build new relationships with families throughout Porterville and surrounding communities.
Dr. Lewis brings modern techniques and enthusiasm to traditional values of patient care. He understands that many of his patients remember his father and grandfather, and he takes seriously the responsibility of upholding the family reputation for gentle, thorough dental care. Whether providing preventative dentistry services, restorative treatments, or addressing emergency dental care needs, Dr. Lewis approaches each patient interaction with the same compassion his family was known for.
Dr. Lewis offers a comprehensive range of dental services, including routine checkups and cleanings, as well as complex restorative procedures. He stays current with the latest advances in dentistry, utilizing our practice’s cutting-edge technology to ensure that patients receive the most effective and comfortable treatments available. His training at Loma Linda University emphasized evidence-based dentistry, ensuring that the latest research and best practices support every treatment recommendation.
The American Dental Association emphasizes the importance of regular dental visits for maintaining optimal oral health. Dr. Lewis shares this commitment to preventive care, working with patients to develop personalized oral hygiene routines and treatment plans that preserve their natural teeth for life. His approach combines the traditional values of thorough, gentle care with modern techniques that maximize comfort and minimize treatment time.
Outside the dental office, Dr. Lewis embraces life with the same enthusiasm he brings to patient care. His love for adventure and the outdoors perfectly complements the natural beauty surrounding Porterville. Whether he’s exploring hiking trails in our stunning national parks, carving through fresh powder on ski slopes, perfecting his golf swing, or diving beneath ocean waves as a certified scuba diver, Dr. Lewis approaches every adventure with excitement and skill.
These diverse interests reflect Dr. Lewis’s well-rounded character and zest for life. His outdoor pursuits keep him physically active and mentally refreshed, contributing to the positive energy he brings to our practice. Patients often enjoy hearing about his latest adventures, and his enthusiasm for life helps create the comfortable, friendly atmosphere that defines our office culture.
Family remains central to Dr. Lewis’s identity and motivation. He cherishes time spent with loved ones, whether sharing outdoor adventures or quiet moments at home. His family’s multi-generational commitment to serving Porterville’s dental health needs has instilled in him a deep appreciation for community and lasting relationships.
Dr. Lewis understands that choosing a dentist is about more than technical skills; it’s about finding someone you can trust with your health and comfort. His family’s reputation was built on treating patients like family, and he continues this tradition by taking the time to listen to concerns, explaining procedures clearly, and ensuring that every patient feels valued and cared for.
When you choose Dr. Jackson Lewis and Richard Hardt’s Live Oak Dental Group for your dental care, you’re not just getting a skilled, enthusiastic young dentist. You’re joining a practice with deep community roots and a multi-generational commitment to excellence. Dr. Lewis combines the wisdom of his family’s legacy with fresh energy and the latest techniques in modern dentistry, creating an ideal blend of tradition and innovation.
Dr. Lewis is eager to build new relationships while honoring the trust placed in the Lewis family name for over half a century. Whether you’re a longtime patient who remembers his father or a new patient seeking quality dental care, Dr. Lewis will provide the same gentle, thorough attention that has made the Lewis family a cornerstone of Porterville dentistry. Contact Richard Hardt’s Live Oak Dental Group to schedule your appointment with Dr. Jackson Lewis today.
