Dr. James J. Gift was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a graduate of Boston University as well as Georgetown University School of Dentistry, where he graduated Summa cum Laude and was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. Dr. Gift joined the United States Air Force and completed his residency at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. He went on to Ohio State University on Air Force Sponsorship for his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency training and M. S. degree.

Dr. Gift retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Air Force in 2001 and joined Coastal Jaw Surgery where he performs full scope Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He has extensive experience in orthognathic surgery to correct dentofacial and skeletal malocclusion and deformity, severe obstructive sleep apnea, as well as implant dentistry, facial cosmetics and laser surgery.

Dr. Gift is a Diplomat of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and holds membership in the American Dental Association and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.