Dr. Decker Gates

Dr. Gates has always been passionate about healthcare and quickly recognized that dentistry is the ideal combination of compassion, science, and art. For Dr. Gates, there’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing a patient’s confidence grow after enhancing their smile. He genuinely enjoys getting to know each patient as an individual—not just a name on a chart—in order to develop personalized treatment plans that reflect their unique needs and goals. Dr. Gates believes that building meaningful, trusting relationships is at the heart of exceptional dentistry, and he takes pride in working closely with his patients every step of the way to achieve the results they envision.

A native of Salina, Kansas, Dr. Gates earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Kansas, followed by a Master of Science in Human Biology from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. He went on to complete his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at Creighton University, where he gained comprehensive experience in all areas of general dentistry, including operative dentistry, fixed and removable prosthodontics, endodontics, oral surgery, and periodontics. Dr. Gates was also accepted into Creighton’s Advanced Endodontics program, where he developed additional expertise in managing complex root canal cases.

Now proud to call Kansas City home, Dr. Gates is an enthusiastic supporter of the local sports teams. Outside of the office, he enjoys golfing, swimming, going to the movies, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with his cat, Tucker.

Dr. Gates is excited to be part of the Village Family Dental team, where compassion and personalized care are the top priorities. He looks forward to building lasting relationships with his patients and helping them achieve and maintain their healthiest, happiest smiles.