Former Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at UMN with over 35 years of clinical excellence, training the next generation of oral surgeons and leading complex surgical cases.
Board-Certified Oral Surgeon
Meet Dr. James Q. Swift, DDS — Oral Surgeon at Wise Decision
When you choose a Dr. James Swift oral surgeon, you are choosing a provider with a rare mix of academic leadership and hands-on patient care. Dr. Swift is board-certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery and brings decades of nationally recognized expertise to every appointment. At Wise Decision, wisdom teeth patients receive a complimentary first consultation that includes a panoramic X-ray, with no impact on dental insurance. It is our way of making expert care easy to access.
If you or your family member needs wisdom teeth removal or another oral surgery procedure, we invite you to meet Dr. Swift and experience care from a surgeon who has trained some of the best doctors in the field.
35+ Years
Surgical Practice
Former UMN OMS
Program Director
ABOMS Diplomate
Board Certified
Clinical Background & Honors
Credentials & Academic Leadership
Combining decades of academic leadership at leading universities with board-certified surgical mastery to deliver unmatched care for every patient.
About Dr. James Swift
Dr. James Q. Swift is a tenured Professor and was the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Director at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry for 25 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree (cum laude) from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA in 1976, his dental degree from the University of Iowa in 1980, and his oral and maxillofacial surgery training from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, completing his program in 1985. He was faculty for 4 years at the University of Oklahoma before being recruited by the University of Minnesota.
Academic Excellence • Resident Education
Board Certification and National Recognition
Board certification is the highest standard in oral surgery. Dr. Swift holds certification from the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a credential earned through rigorous testing and ongoing education. His expertise has been recognized nationally, and he has been invited to speak at conferences and contribute to research that shapes how oral surgery is practiced today.
ABOMS Board Certified • National Research Leader
Memberships & Certifications
Awards, Appointments & Professional Service
Dr. Swift recently served as the Program Director of the Advanced Education Program in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the second time in his tenure. He also recently served as Acting Dean regarding promotion and tenure matters, and he continues to practice as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at the University of Minnesota. He has served the AAOMS on numerous committees as an officer and as Chair of the Faculty Section.
- University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Century Club Professor of the Year in 2001
- OMSF’s Ambassador Service Award recipient in 2004
- American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery President in 2005
- American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Director for 6 years
- American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery member of the Examination Committee for 6 years
- American Dental Education Association President in 2007–2008
- American Dental Education Association Board of Directors from 2002–2008
- Served as a Director of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation (OMSF) from 2009–2012
- ADEA Distinguished Service Award in 2009
- Received the AAOMS R.V. Walker Distinguished Service Award in 2015
- Member of the Medical Professional Liability Association (MPL Association), formerly Physicians Insurance Association of America (PIAA), and completed the PIAA Fellows Program in 2015
- Elected to the PIAA Board of Directors in 2015 and elected as its secretary in 2016
- Elected MPL Association Vice Chair in 2018 and ascended to Chair of the Board of the MPL Association in 2020
- 2024 AAOMS Meeting Dedication — the highest honor given by AAOMS to a member
- Named the 2019 Guest of Honor at the Minneapolis District Dental Society in recognition of his contributions to organized dentistry, and selected as the Minnesota Dental Association Guest of Honor for the 2020 MDA Star of the North Annual Session
- Fellow of the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists and the American College of Surgeons
- Received the AAOMS’s Daniel M. Laskin Award for the most outstanding Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery article published in 1998
- Received the AAOMS/William J. Gies Foundation Gies Award for oral and maxillofacial surgery
- Member of the Board of the Gorlin Syndrome Alliance in 2020, serving on committees of the GSA and chairing its newly formed Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee
- Served on the OMSNIC Claims Committee for over 20 years
- Director of OMSNIC since 2006, serving as Vice Chair from 2011 to 2013 and as Chair of the Board since 2014. He has been a Fortress Insurance Company Director since 2014 and became Chair of the Fortress Board in 2016. He has also served as a Director and Chair of the Board of The River Agency since 2015
Outside the Office
Getting to Know Dr. Swift
Dr. Swift is a native of Manchester, Iowa, from a family of ten children. His mother was a grade school teacher; his father and grandfather practiced law with Jim’s brother Dan, who joined their small-town practice (Swift & Swift Law Firm) in Manchester, Iowa during their later years. Jim was a two-sport Division III collegiate athlete, playing football and wrestling at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. In 1974, he qualified to participate in the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Tournament.
Today, Dr. Swift is an avid bicyclist and has participated in RAGBRAI for seven years (the Des Moines Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa), totaling an annual 400–500 mile ride in 7 days. He has also completed 3 century rides (100 miles in a day) in Iowa and Minnesota.
Dr. Swift enjoys golf and has played on 6 continents. He and his practice partner Kirby Johnson played in the Men’s team match play event at Interlachen Country Club (Bobby Jones Match Play) and were champions in 2015.
Dr. Swift enjoys traveling and has been inspired to experience new places since being an exchange student in dental school at the University of Iowa. He spent the first 6 months of his senior year in the school of dentistry at Aarhus, Denmark, where he gained clinical oral surgery experience.
Jim and his wife Lori are parents of two children, Meagan Norgren and Alex. Meagan and her husband Dave have 2 sons, Rhys and Rhodes. Alex and his wife Sindy have 3 sons, Nahum, Simeon and James.
Compassionate Philosophy
Dr. Swift's Approach to Patient Care
At Wise Decision, Dr. Swift takes time to listen. He knows that every patient arrives with different concerns — explaining each step clearly and answering every question before moving forward.
Unhurried Listening & Transparency
He knows every patient arrives with different concerns — whether nervous about the procedure or focused on recovery. He explains each step clearly and answers every question before moving forward so you feel supported from start to finish.
Clear Communication
Hospital-Grade Safety & Comfort
Our facility meets Category 1 Anesthesia Facility standards with double board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists on-site for IV sedation. Enjoy the same safety level as a hospital in a warm, welcoming private practice environment.
Category 1 Anesthesia
The Wise Decision Standard
Why Patients Choose Dr. Swift at Wise Decision
Patients and parents consistently mention a few things about their experience with Dr. Swift: the depth of his knowledge, the warmth of his communication, and the confidence they feel knowing he has served as a director at one of the nation's leading oral surgery programs. Combined with the expertise of Dr. Kirby Johnson, the two surgeons bring over 70 years of collective experience to the practice. That kind of depth allows Wise Decision to handle everything from routine wisdom teeth removal to complex surgical cases.
Dr. Kirby Johnson DDS shares Dr. Swift's commitment to personalized, expert care. Together, they lead a team that treats every patient like family.
Compassionate Support
Meet the Full Team at Wise Decision
Dr. Swift is part of a dedicated group of professionals who work together to create a calm, supportive environment. From the front desk to the surgical suite, every team member is trained to make your visit comfortable. Learn more about our entire team and the practice that puts patients first.
Clear Answers
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Swift
Yes, Dr. Swift is welcoming new patients at Wise Decision Wisdom Teeth Specialists. You can schedule a complimentary wisdom teeth consultation by calling our office or contacting us online. New patients are always welcome.
Dr. Swift performs wisdom teeth removal, tooth extractions, orthodontic expose and bond procedures, and other oral surgery services. He also offers IV sedation with double board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists on-site for your safety and comfort.
His background means he brings academic-level surgical standards to every case. He has trained the next generation of oral surgeons and continues to stay current with the latest research and techniques. Patients benefit from care that is both deeply experienced and forward thinking.
Get Started
A wisdom teeth consultation is the first step.
During your visit, you will meet Dr. Swift, receive a panoramic X-ray at no charge as a wisdom teeth patient, and get a clear treatment plan with no pressure. It is all part of how we make expert care approachable. Call (952) 952-1100 today to book your consultation.