Dr. Jill P. Hodges was the first practicing female orthodontist in Tennessee, and she was recently named the first female president of the Chattanooga Area Dental Society.ABOUT HER
• Age: 57.• Family: Husband, Dr. Anthony Hodges, general dentistry; daughter Rachel, an attorney; twin sons Jeb and Benton, who will graduate this year with degrees in criminal justice and biology, respectively.• Pet: Cat, Belle.• Education: University of Tennessee, Bachelor of Science, Class of 1977; University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, Memphis, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Class of 1981; University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences, Memphis, Master of Science (Orthodontics), Class of 1983.• Favorite movies: “The Right Stuff,” “Gone With the Wind.”• Favorite music: Old-time rock ‘n’ roll.• Favorite book: “Lord of the Rings” series.• What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? “I hate being in front of people. I’d rather be sitting in the back of the room causing trouble.”
Dr. Jill Hodges has a number of firsts.
Records show she was the first practicing female orthodontist in Tennessee and the first female officer in the Southern Association of Orthodontists. She recently was elected as the first female president of the Chattanooga Area Dental Society.
Though she’s humble about her accomplishments, she admits to working hard to achieve each one.
A native of Memphis, Hodges knew early on in life that she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps, late orthodontist Dr. Bailey Prichard. She said she worked in his office doing everything from sweeping the floor (as a child) to treating patients (as a dentist).