About Us

Dr. Sykes Smith is a Columbia native, by way of the military. She is a 2002 graduate from the University of South Carolina. After college, she was accepted into dental school and graduated in 2006 from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Sykes Smith then attended a two-year general dentistry residency program in Albany, New York at the Samuel S. Stratton VA Medical Center. In 2008, she attended an Endodontic Residency program at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio that only accepts four residents yearly. While in her residency program, she earned her a master’s degree as well as specialty certification in endodontics and won numerous awards on the state and national levels with the American Association of Endodontics. In 2010 Dr. Sykes Smith moved back to Columbia, SC where she partnered with her father, Dr. Fred Sykes in 2011 at Premier Endodontics. Dr. Sykes Smith is married to Dr. Glenn Smith, a fellow graduate of Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Together, they share two wonderful and engaging children, Sebastian and Sinclaire. Dr. Sykes Smith is active in her church, local and national dental organizations, and various study clubs. She is also a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. where she enjoys sisterhood and engaging in public services to the community.

Dr. Fred Sykes is a native of Viginia. He moved to South Carolina in 1991 by way of the military from which he retired in 1995, completing 26 years. Dr. Sykes graduated from Virginia State University in 1969, Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1974, completed his endodontic residency program in 1985 from University of Georgia and Fort Gordon, and became a board-certified endodontist. He worked in a combined periodontic/endodontic practice from 1995 – 2007. He opened Premier Endodontics in 2007 with the advent of his daughter, Dr. Chandra Sykes Smith, partnering with him. Dr. Sykes is a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, active in local and national dental organizations and various study clubs, his church, and enjoys providing a multitude of services to the community.

Corliss Sykes

Front Office Coordinator

Corliss Sykes is a native of Virginia, and the wife of Dr. Fred Sykes and mother of Dr. Chandra Sykes Smith and one other sibling. She has been an intricate part of the practice since the beginning. She has taken on many roles in the practice from Dental Assisting, Accounting, Patient Coordinator, and Office Management. Corliss enjoys cooking, reading, and spending quality time with her family.

Alicia Boyd

Lead Registered Dental Assistant

Alicia graduated as a Registered Dental Assistant from Fortis College in October 2017 at the top of her class. She is DanB certified in Infection Control and Radiation Health and Safety. Alicia came to Premier Endodontics in 2016 for an externship and excelled in all areas of endodontic assisting. She was hired in 2017 and has been an amazing dental assistant ever since, working with Dr. Chandra Sykes Smith. Alicia is happily married and has one awesome son, whom she loves very much!

Tyrisha Barnes

Dental Assistant

Tyrisha, affectionately known as “Ty”, graduated from the Palmetto School of Career Development in 2018 with her certification in Dental Assisting. She became a part of the Premier Endodontics family in 2022, working with Dr. Fred Sykes. Ty is the youngest member of our team who brings excitement and laughter to everyone she encounters. She has one adorable daughter, TyLeah, who keeps her entertained. She is also a 2021 graduate of Southeastern Health and Wellness Institute, and enjoys doing make-up, hair, and spending quality time with her family.

Tamekia “Nikki” Cooke

Office Manager

Nikki has been with Premier Endodontics since 2008. She started as a Dental Assistant with Dr. Fred Sykes, then assisting Dr. Chandra Sykes Smith when she joined the practice in 2011. While employed at Premier Endodontics, Nikki attended college at night to further her education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration from University of Phoenix in 2014 and master’s degree in healthcare administration with a concentration in human resources from Webster University in 2016. After leaving the practice in 2016 to continue furthering her education, she returned to Premier Endodontics as Office Manager in 2020. Nikki has many roles inside and outside of the practice including caring for two disabled family members whom she holds dear to her heart. She has an amazing daughter, Keimoni, who is currently a junior in college of whom she is very proud! She also has a resilient nephew, Omarion, who is like her son, whom she also adores. Nikki enjoys singing, dancing, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.

LaCreshea Williams

Patient Coordinator

LaCreshea graduated from Fortis College in 2011 with her certification in Medical Billing and Coding. Lacresha joined the Premier Endodontics family in 2022, bringing 14 plus years of dental office experience, making her a wonderful asset to the practice! She has two awesome and talented children, Terrell and Ta’Niyah. Lacresha enjoys church activities and spending quality time with her family.