About the Dentist
Meet Dr. Nicole Yates
Owner and dentist at Belfast River Dental. A Navy-trained clinician who has made Richmond Hill her family’s home.
A Little About Dr. Nicole
Dr. Nicole Yates grew up in Columbus, Georgia. She earned her undergraduate degree in chemistry from Georgia State University, then her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University.
Her clinical career began as an officer in the United States Navy. She completed a General Practice Residency at a Naval hospital in Virginia and finished her Naval service in Newport, Rhode Island. That training is where her comprehensive, procedure-comfortable style comes from. Navy general dentists rotate through oral surgery, endodontics, restorative, prosthodontics, and periodontics. Dr. Yates treats the case in front of her, not a specialty.
Training and Credentials
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University.
- General Practice Residency. United States Navy, Naval Hospital, Virginia.
- Advanced surgical and implant training. Continues coursework in implant placement, bone grafting, and extractions.
- Facial aesthetics certifications. Maintains active certifications for Botox® Cosmetic, Xeomin®, and dermal fillers, including Juvéderm®.
- Chemistry B.S. Georgia State University.
How She Approaches Care
Dr. Yates is passionate about comprehensive dentistry. Her approach folds surgical, restorative, cosmetic, and functional dentistry into one plan for each patient. That means fewer referrals out, shorter timelines, and one clinician who owns the outcome.
Two beliefs shape every visit. First, patients deserve honest information. If two treatment options are reasonable, we walk through both, we tell you what we would do and why, and the decision is yours. Second, conservative dentistry beats heroic dentistry. We would rather add a little at a follow-up than overdo it on day one.
Life Outside the Office
The Yates family settled in southeast Georgia in 2017. Nicole and her husband Steven are raising three boys, Warren, Holden, and baby Bridger who joined the family in March of 2026. Warren is active in Scouting, and Holden plays hockey with the Junior Ghost Pirates. The family is excited to see what Bridger’s interests will be.
Dr. Yates cares about the Bryan County community and treats families she runs into at the grocery store, at Warren’s Scouts meetings, and at hockey practice. That accountability is part of why the practice is called Belfast River Dental. It is named for where we live and work.
Common Questions
Is Dr. Yates a general dentist or a specialist?
Dr. Yates is a general dentist trained to handle a broader-than-average range of procedures because of her Navy residency and continuing surgical training. She performs preventive and restorative care, cosmetic dentistry, extractions and bone grafting, dental implants, TMJ care, Invisalign, and facial aesthetics injections. If a case is genuinely outside her wheelhouse, she refers to a trusted specialist and stays involved with the plan.
What are Dr. Yates’s credentials?
Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. General Practice Residency, United States Navy. Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Georgia State University. Ongoing training in dental implants, oral surgery, and facial aesthetics. Fully licensed in Georgia.
Does Dr. Yates see children?
Yes. We are a family practice and welcome children for cleanings, exams, and most routine care. If a child needs a level of care outside general dentistry, such as extensive early orthodontics, complex sedation, or specialty pediatric procedures, we will make the right referral.
How do I schedule with Dr. Yates?
The fastest way is to Schedule Online. You can also request an appointment through our contact page or call (912) 296-2023 during office hours. New patients are welcome.
Meet the team in person
We would love to have you in for a visit. Book directly with Schedule Online, or request an appointment.