Before you sit in the chair, it helps to know who is actually behind the treatment plan you are being asked to trust. A dentist’s background, training, and approach to patient communication shape every visit, whether it is a routine cleaning or a more involved procedure, and that is worth understanding before you ever pick up the phone.
Dr. James Kortbus leads Precision Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in New Smyrna Beach, where he has built a career around treating patients as individuals rather than appointment slots. Here is a closer look at his training, his professional involvement, and how he approaches the work itself.
His Path to Dentistry
Dr. Kortbus was raised in Port Orange and graduated from Stetson University before pursuing his dental degree at New York University College of Dentistry. Choosing to study in New York gave him exposure to a large, diverse patient population early in his training, which shaped how he thinks about treating patients from very different backgrounds and with very different needs.
After dental school, he completed a one year hospital based program at Queens Hospital Center, where he gained hands on experience across nearly every area of dentistry, including early exposure to Invisalign and pediatric care. Once that training was complete, he returned home to Volusia County to build a practice rather than stay in New York, a decision that put him back in the community where he grew up.
Active in Organized Dentistry
Dr. Kortbus is a member of the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association, and he treats continuing education as an ongoing part of the job rather than a box to check. The Florida Dental Association notes that Florida dentists must complete a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every two years to keep their license current, and Dr. Kortbus has used that requirement as a floor rather than a ceiling, regularly pursuing additional training in new techniques and technology.
He has also taken on leadership roles at the local level. Dr. Kortbus previously served as president of the Volusia Flagler County Dental Association and currently serves as a delegate to the Central Florida Dental Association. He views dentistry as a lifelong learning process, and that involvement keeps him connected to peers who are working through the same clinical questions he is.
How He Approaches Patient Care
Dr. Kortbus makes a point of discussing every treatment option with a patient before moving forward, rather than presenting a single recommendation as the only path. He recognizes that two patients with a similar issue can have very different priorities, whether that is cost, timeline, or how conservative they want treatment to be, and he builds the conversation around that instead of a one size fits all script.
Within the practice, he has a particular interest in surgical and dental implant cases, where diagnosis and planning make a meaningful difference in the outcome. He brings that same attention to detail to routine care, which is part of why patients who start with a simple cleaning often stay with him for more complex work later on.
Technology He Uses in Practice
Dr. Kortbus relies on a set of tools that let him diagnose issues earlier and plan treatment with more precision, particularly for surgical and restorative cases.
- Cone beam CT (CBCT) imaging for detailed, three dimensional views of the teeth and jaw
- A Dentsply Sirona PrimeScan digital scanner for accurate, comfortable impressions
- CAD/CAM technology for designing and placing same day crowns
- Digital x-rays and intraoral cameras that let patients see what he sees
- A diode laser for select soft tissue procedures
None of this equipment replaces clinical judgment, but it does give Dr. Kortbus more information before treatment begins, which is central to how he practices. His full digital dentistry approach is built around that same idea.
Schedule a Visit With Dr. Kortbus at Precision Cosmetic & Family Dentistry
If you want to meet Dr. Kortbus and see whether his approach is the right fit for you or your family, requesting an appointment is the best place to start. You can also meet the rest of the team who works alongside him every day.
For questions before your visit, contact our office or call us at (386) 424-1631. Dr. Kortbus and the team look forward to meeting you.