For Dr. Eliza Gilbert, each day begins with a devotional email sent to her by a longtime friend. “It’s a little reminder that you are a servant of God in his Kingdom and to go out and glorify him by using your skills to serve and to help others,” she says. “For me, it’s a great way to wake up. And I feel like it applies to everyone, no matter what your occupation is or where you are in your life.”
For Dr. Gilbert, that means utilizing her skills in dentistry in a variety of capacities. Perhaps the most notable is in her role as a dentist at Dental Bliss in Franklin. Others fly a little under the radar but are no less significant. She builds humble homes with her fellow congregants at Woodmont Christian Church in Green Hills, and she volunteers with Kare, a mobile dental clinic that travels to underserved areas in Tennessee, Georgia and her home state of Kentucky.
“This is my ‘why,’” she says. “I grew up (in Cadiz, Kentucky) without a whole lot of money but my parents not only worked hard, they also taught the value of hard work and education. It inspires me. I love giving back and taking care of others.”
Even though it’s her livelihood, Dr. Gilbert carries that spirit of generosity with her to Dental Bliss every day. In her mind, it’s not viable to do it any other way. In fact, it’s innate to the Dental Bliss experience that was created by the practice’s retired owner, Dr. Michael Atchley. “In many ways, he’s like my second dad,” says Dr. Gilbert, who worked for Dr. Atchley at the Dental Bliss office in Hermitage. “I was privileged to work alongside him in this practice he started and built over 30 years ago. He instilled the ‘Dental Bliss Way’ in me.”
The “Dental Bliss Way” is grounded in the understanding that, while dentistry is an essential element of one’s comprehensive healthcare, no one necessarily looks forward to going to the dentist. Dental Bliss features an added layer of hospitality that is intended to assuage any anxiety a dental patient may have. It’s a spirit that the entire Dental Bliss team embraces. “We look for little touches to make the experience comfortable and relaxing,” says Dr. Gilbert. “Those touches involve the physical space. It’s like a spa retreat with spectacular views of the surrounding farmstead, barns and greenery.”
There are also amenities, like massage chairs and refreshments and, perhaps most important of all, a genuine willingness to take whatever time is necessary to simply talk to patients who may be apprehensive about their dental appointment. The aesthetic isn’t too far removed from what Dr. Gilbert enjoys away from the office. She and her fiancée, Peter Alena, have explored places as varied as Yellowstone and Paris. And there’s always time for a hike, a horseback ride or a whitewater rafting adventure.
“This is healthcare but it’s also the service industry,” says Dr. Gilbert. “For us, it’s not about volume. The personal touches and human interaction really matter to us. I cannot imagine doing this any other way.”
Of course, Dental Bliss’ way of doing things is only as strong as the quality of care provided. And that can only be characterized as state-of-the-art. The team, or “the girls,” as Dr. Gilbert affectionately calls her colleagues, is proficient with the very latest in dental technology and comprehensive services. “They are so remarkable, and they work so hard to ensure that our patients and guests have a pleasant experience,” she says. “The joy that they bring to the office every day is amazing.”
Dental Bliss accepts new patients and many major forms of insurance, making it accessible to just about everyone. “We treat patients from all walks of life,” says Dr. Gilbert. “If you think you cannot have a beautiful smile because you don’t have the resources, you really need to call us.” There’s really no other way. DentalBliss.com