Dr. Edwin Swords Jr., D.D.S.

Dr. Edwin I. Swords, Jr. is the Founder of the Swords and Phelps Dental practice. Growing up in Illinois, Dr. Swords, Jr. graduated from Eastern Illinois University before serving in World War II from 1943-1946. After serving in the military, he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1950 from Emory University in Atlanta.

Dr. Swords, Jr. opened the original dental office in Canton just off Main Street in 1951, and later moved the practice in 1975 near its current location off Waleska Road. His goal was to have a practice dedicated to providing experienced dentistry, with a committed emphasis on the patient relationship. Over fifty years later, that practice is still thriving today with many patients that are second and third generation. The staff at Swords and Phelps Dentistry is long standing and devoted; many which have been working in the dental practice from 10 to 40+ years. Although retired for several years, Dr. Swords, Jr. still comes to the office to greet and visit with some of his former patients. He and his wife, Jackie, live in Canton. Together, they have 3 adult children and 10 grandchildren. He enjoys hiking, gardening, and participating in the Peachtree Road Race each year as one of the oldest runners.

Edwin I. Swords, Jr. is pictured here practicing dentistry in 1963 at the original office building located on the second floor above the Smith Grocery Store, situated in the vicinity of what is now the Cherokee County Board of Education Building on Canton's Main Street.

Dr. Edwin I. Swords III, D.D.S.

Dr. Edwin I. Swords III has been a practicing dentist in Canton since 1985. He is a dedicated professional who constantly seeks to provide the best possible dental care for his patients. Raised in Canton, Dr. Swords graduated from Jacksonville University in Florida. Following in his father’s footsteps, he subsequently earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Swords is a longstanding member of the Georgia Dental Association and American Dental Association. Striving to meet and exceed the standards of his profession, he regularly attends seminars and study groups.

Dr. Swords believes in using conservative, cosmetic dental techniques to improve his patient’s smiles. His goal is to use functional dental solutions to create a positive impact on a patient’s overall appearance and total oral health.

Dr. Swords enjoys staying active in his community. He has served as past president of the Canton Optimist Club, Canton Rotary club member, Board of Directors for the Flying Doctors of America, as well as on the Board of Directors of Medical Expedition International.

Having a passion for missions, Dr. Swords has participated in numerous medical mission trips to Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru providing dental care to people in impoverished areas. He presently serves on a board that oversees the Village of the Children, an orphanage in Cachora , Peru which cares for children that have been abandoned in surrounding, remote villages.

Dr. Swords and his wife, Dana have three children, Austin, Trent and Natalie. In his spare time, he enjoys golfing, cycling and spending time with his family.

Dr. Matthew Phelps, D.M.D.

After graduation from the University of Georgia, Dr. Phelps was accepted to the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry where he earned his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry in 1997. He then returned home to Canton, Georgia where he grew up and joined in practice with Dr. Edwin Swords and his father. Together they have built a dental practice centered on comprehensive care, exceptional quality, and service to the patient.

Dr. Phelps has completed hundreds of hours of advanced training in sedation dentistry, implant dentistry, and oral surgery. He is currently a part-time faculty member of the Medical College of Georgia where he covers clinic for the General Practice Residents. He is also dedicated to the newest advancements and latest technologies available in modern dentistry. Dr. Phelps was instrumental in bringing the first general practice 3-D CT scanning machine to Cherokee County. He is an active member of the ADA, GDA, and Northwest District Dental Society.

Dr. Phelps is also committed to being involved in his hometown community. He is Past President and active member of the Canton Rotary Club, previous member of the Canton Downtown Development Board, Youth Soccer Coach and team sponsor. He routinely donates helicopter rides to worthy civic causes and has traveled with the Flying Doctors of America on numerous mission trips to Peru and Mexico.

Dr. Phelps and his wife Tracy, have two boys, Cooper and Cohen. In his spare time, he enjoys, flying, working out, running, mountain biking, skiing, and spending time with his family and friends.

Dr. John Phelps, D.M.D.

Dr. John T. Phelps has been a Canton resident for over 30 years. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science Degree and then attended the Medical College of Georgia where he received his Doctorate of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) in 2001. In 2001, he joined Swords and Phelps Dentistry where his brother, Dr. S. Matthew Phelps practiced. He is known as “Dr. John” by patients and staff to differentiate between him and his brother.

Dr. John has extensive experience in a wide range of dental services for patients that seek to improve the function or design of their smiles. He attends numerous continuing education courses and stays abreast on the latest dental technology so his patients can have confidence that they are receiving the most proficient and comprehensive care possible. Dr. John has advanced training in the area of endodontics and performs virtually all root canals in the office, including molar endodontics.

Donating his time and clinical skills to perform needed dentistry, Dr. John has traveled on several missionary trips with the Flying Doctors of America in Mexico and Venezuela.

Dr. John and his wife, Kim, reside in Ball Ground. Despite his dental achievements, his proudest accomplishment is his son, Reuben. In his spare time, Dr. John enjoys golf, playing the guitar, shooting sports and spending time with his family.

Dr. Amy G. David, D.M.D.

Dr. Amy G. David grew up in Hartwell, Georgia. She was introduced to the field of dentistry by her father, who still practices in her hometown. Dr. Amy received her Bachelor of arts in psychology from Davidson College in 2000 and graduated with honors from the Medical College of Georgia in 2009 with her Doctor of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Amy has a special interest in working with children and young people. She focuses on making the dental experience fun and exciting for the kids. She began practicing in Savannah, Georgia area where her comprehensive dentistry and patient relations helped her be selected as one of “Savannah’s Top Dentists” by the Savannah Magazine. She then spent a year practicing in Sugar Hill, Georgia. Dr. Amy resides in Cumming with her husband, Brad, and two young children, Emily and Ben.

She enjoys baking, reading, and running.