For Drs. Jake Bateman and Gray King, going into the dental field is a family tradition. “I'm a third-generation dentist,” says Dr. Bateman. “My grandfather and father were both dentists, and I had the honor of working alongside my father for 10 years. There were a lot of things that I admired about my dad, including how he was able to own his own business, help his patients, and also be a great mentor and very present in my life.”
With a wife and three young children, Dr. Bateman also wants to have that all-important work-life balance. “My career allows me to achieve goals professionally, while at the same time not miss those really precious family moments that you can't get back and no amount of money can buy.”
Dr. King, who has a wife and two children, has a very similar story. “I’m a second-generation dentist—my mother is a cosmetic dentist in Atlanta, and my dad was the office manager for 16 or so years—and I grew up going to dental meetings and dental conferences all over the country. This allowed me to be exposed to a lot of different dentists and also appreciate that work-life balance and what it did for my family.”
He graduated from dental school two years ago and is starting his third year with Nashville Aesthetic Dentistry in Brentwood, while Dr. Bateman, who has been practicing since 2014, joined the practice three years ago.
This decision has allowed both cosmetic dentists to not only flourish in their careers, but also to learn from Dr. Dennis Wells, whom they say has instilled a standard of excellence in everything they do in the office.
One of these standards of excellence is giving every patient ample time to discuss goals and expectations. “We're not here to see a certain number of patients,” says Dr. Bateman. “We're not trying to load a schedule and bounce from room to room between patients. We view ourselves as specialists, and are hypervigilant and focused in order to give patients our absolute best and a standard that is very unique in the dental landscape.”
The practice focuses on creating natural-looking restorations. “Dr. Dennis Wells is one of the pioneers of prepless veneers, and in cosmetic dentistry in general,” says Dr. King. “To be able to learn from one of the greats is not something that many dentists around the country or even the world can say.”
Both dentists appreciate being part of a practice where they can collaborate with Dr. Wells and the other experienced and knowledgeable dentists in the office. “We’re surrounded by professionals who can guide us and who we can learn from,” says Dr. King. “I'm so grateful to be here.”
Dr. Bateman explains that no matter how intricate or complex a treatment might be, they will always find a solution that meets or exceeds their patient's needs and expectations.
He loves being able to change people's lives through cosmetic dentistry. One of his patients has enamel dysplasia, a genetic condition in which the enamel doesn't form properly. “She's a beautiful young girl and had some previous treatment that wasn't done well, and her gums were really inflamed,” he says.
In this situation, it wasn’t only a cosmetic issue, but a health concern too. “We were able to not only improve the health of the gums and the bones underneath, but were able to give her a new smile. She thanks me every time she comes in for cleaning.”
Dr. King also gets a lot of satisfaction from improving patients' smiles. One of his patients was a young man who was getting married soon and was deeply ashamed of his smile. “He often covered his mouth and didn't openly smile. I met with him to talk through his goals and his timeline because we had to get everything done before the wedding.”
After the wedding, he showed Dr. King his wedding pictures, where he was smiling brighter than ever. “He was so happy that he almost started tearing up. That felt really good because not only had I made his smile great, but I had a bigger impact on his life. To be able to do that for someone is wonderful, and that's what it's all about.”
A great smile, says Dr. Bateman, can be powerful. “It’s how people show up not only for themselves every day, but for those around them. It increases confidence and opens up opportunities. That's not something that we take lightly, and we love to be a part of patients' stories so they can become the best version of themselves.”
To learn more about achieving your best smile and best self, visit their website.
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