Dr. Tickner was born and raised in the Bay Area. He graduated from Acalanes High School and went on to attend the University of California at Berkeley, where he completed his undergraduate studies in the field of paleontology (dinosaurs have BIG teeth). He continued his dental education at UCLA, receiving his dental degree in 1973 after completing an extra year's training in removable prosthetics (dentures). After graduation, Dr. Tickner returned to the Bay Area and joined a very busy dental practice, specializing in dentures for the next seven years, until opening his private practice in San Leandro in 1980, where he and his staff continue to provide full service dentistry for adults and seniors four days per week. On Wednesdays, Dr. Tickner works in an Oakland dental clinic, where he serves as a prosthodontist, where he serves as a prosthodontist, making dentures and partials for low income and homeless patients.