Dr. Jim Nelson hails from the small town of Ortonville, Minnesota. He completed his undergraduate studies at North Dakota State University from 1978 to 1981 and then earned his dental degree with honors from the University of Minnesota Dental School in 1985. Since then, he has practiced dentistry in Bismarck.

In 1985, he established Kirkwood Dental in the Kirkwood Mall. The practice evolved in 2003 when he moved to a new location and rebranded as Nelson Family Dentistry. With the recent addition of Dr. Kristin as a partner, they launched Polished Dental. Dr. Jim is committed to delivering high-quality dental care and ethical treatment to his patients. He cherishes his daily interactions with them and remains passionate about the art of dentistry. He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association (ADA), the North Dakota Dental Association, the Missouri Slope Dental Society, and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics.

Married to his beloved wife Lorri (Behrendt) since 1980, they enjoy hosting family and friends, spending time with their nieces and nephews, and organizing fundraisers. In his leisure time, Dr. Jim enjoys hunting, ranching, yard work, traveling, designing and constructing buildings, and indulging in music, movies, and theater. He also has a deep affection for animals; he and Lorri have fostered numerous cats over the years and currently care for two, Tinkerbell and Cinderella.