Dr. James Frizzell

Owner - Frizzell Dental

Dr. James Frizzell is based in Canada and has spent more than 20 years leading Frizzell Dental, a family cosmetic and dental practice. Through this clinic, he provides dental services to patients living in Niagara Falls, Ontario, as well as the surrounding communities of Welland, St. Catharines, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. His work focuses on providing dental care that supports both oral health and patient comfort. Alongside his clinical practice, he is also involved in advocacy and education related to the recognition and prevention of abuse and human trafficking. Through these efforts, He continues to combine professional dental care with a commitment to raising awareness about issues affecting vulnerable individuals.

Education

He attended the University of Toronto, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. After completing his undergraduate studies, he continued his education at the same institution and received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. During his time in the Department of Chemistry, he was awarded an NSERC scholarship. His research was carried out under the supervision of a professor, and the findings, along with those of colleagues, were published in the Journal of Organometallic Chemistry.

In 1997, Dr. James pursued further studies at FaithWay Baptist College in Ajax, Ontario, where he earned a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. His interest in education continued later in his career. In 2019, he completed a degree in Dental Forensics from McGill University. This additional education provided him with further knowledge in forensic dentistry and its possible applications.

Over the years, he has also participated in numerous additional courses and training programs. These studies included mental health and suicide skill training, digital crime scene photography, civil litigation workshops, strangulation prevention training, and other related topics. These courses helped expand his understanding of healthcare, forensic awareness, and the recognition of abuse.

Professional Work

At Frizzell Dental

At Frizzell Dental, Dr. James works with a team that offers a variety of dental services to support patients' oral health. The clinic provides dental hygiene services, restorative dentistry, cosmetic teeth whitening, emergency dental services, and preventive dental care. Both adults and children are welcome at the practice. The clinic focuses on delivering care in a comfortable environment while using modern dental procedures and up-to-date equipment.

Preventive dental care is an important part of the services offered at the clinic. These treatments include periodontal therapy, sealants, tooth extraction, routine periodontal care, fluoride applications, and other procedures designed to support long-term oral health. Preventive care helps patients maintain healthy teeth and gums while reducing the risk of more serious dental issues.

The clinic also offers cosmetic dental treatments that improve the appearance and function of teeth. Cosmetic procedures include a Zoom in-office whitening system, bonding treatments, tooth-colored fillings, porcelain crowns, inlays and onlays, and dental implants. These options allow patients to address both cosmetic concerns and functional dental needs.

Many patients have shared positive feedback about their experiences at the practice. One patient wrote, “Hands down the best dentist I've been to…I broke my front tooth, got me in immediately, took care of it very fast, great pricing all around, great place. Staff is super kind, highly recommended if there was an option for more than 5 stars, most definitely would be higher.” Another patient wrote, “I have been going to Dr. Frizzell for years, he takes care of my whole family… the only dentist I know that actually cares about you! Wouldn’t go anywhere else ever! He keeps us all smiling…”

A Military Dental Officer

In addition to his work in private practice, Dr. Frizzell served for eight years as a Military Dental Officer with the Canadian Forces Dental Corps. During this time, he helped ensure that soldiers were dentally fit during the Gulf Wars. His work supported the readiness and health of military personnel. The Base Commander at Cold Lake Air Base in Alberta recognized his service and contributions.

Dedicated to Combating Abuse, Human Trafficking

Beyond dentistry, he has devoted considerable effort to raising awareness about child abuse, elder abuse, human trafficking, and intimate partner violence. His work in this area focuses on education and helping professionals recognize warning signs that may indicate abuse or exploitation.

In August 2025, Frizzell published a book titled “Domestic Violence/Human Trafficking. From a Canadian Perspective.” The book discusses issues related to domestic violence and human trafficking and encourages greater understanding of these concerns.

He is also the co-founder of Dentists United Against Human Trafficking. This organization works to educate dental professionals and equip them with tools to recognize possible signs of trafficking among patients. The group focuses on raising awareness within the dental community and encourages training that helps clinicians identify warning signs that may indicate a patient could be a victim.

Dental professionals often work closely with patients during treatment, which may allow them to observe injuries or behaviors that others might not notice. Through education and outreach, he helps dental teams understand how their role in healthcare may assist in identifying individuals who are experiencing abuse or trafficking.

In January 2026, Dr. James and a colleague published an article titled “What’s Happening in Ontario: Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting” in the Oral Health Journal. In addition, he serves as a Human Trafficking Consultant for Crime Stoppers Niagara, where he provides guidance on awareness and prevention.

Online Presentations, Podcasts

He regularly provides presentations and participates in online discussions related to mental health, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Healthcare professionals, including forensic nurses and other practitioners, invite him to share information and insight on these subjects.

His presentations and podcasts include topics such as “Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting,” “Domestic Violence,” “Human Trafficking Victims: Recognition and Reaction,” “The Forensics of Suicide,” “Identifying Intraoral & Extraoral Signs of Child Abuse,” and “Cannabis Addiction and Consequences.” Through these presentations, he helps professionals recognize signs of abuse and respond appropriately.

His experience in forensic dentistry also includes expertise in bruising and bitemark analysis. Because of this expertise, he has been asked to serve as a witness in court cases requiring forensic dental evaluation.

Association Membership

Dr. Frizzell has been a member of the ASFO, the American Society of Forensic Odontology, for the last seven years. He is also a member of the International Association of Forensic Nurses. These memberships support collaboration and continued learning in forensic science and healthcare.

Volunteer Work

He is involved in several community volunteer activities. In addition to serving as a consultant for Crime Stoppers Niagara, he volunteers with the organization to help raise funds. Each summer, he donates to and meets with temporary grape orchard workers from Mexico and Cuba.

He also visits nursing homes, where he sings hymns with residents during sing-alongs. Earlier in his career, from 2010 to 2011, he operated a charity dental clinic in Guadalajara, Mexico, providing dental care to individuals in need.

Personal Life

He was born in Toronto and later made Niagara Falls his home. He lives there with his wife, Sharon, and their three children. In his free time, he enjoys musky fishing in the upper Niagara River. Through his continued dedication to dentistry, education, and community involvement, Dr. James Frizzell remains committed to patient care and public awareness.

The Pillars Pod - Ep 6: Human Trafficking