Tennessee has the fewest dentists per 100,000 residents of any state in the country (Dentistry IQ, 2024), a shortage that concentrates access challenges in rural counties while metropolitan areas along the I-40 and I-65 corridors maintain a broader selection of providers. The Tennessee Board of Dentistry, established in 1957 under T.C.A. Title 63, Chapter 5, licenses and regulates all dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants practicing in the state. Applicants for a Tennessee dental license must graduate from a CODA-accredited dental program, pass the National Board Dental Examination or Integrated National Board Dental Examination, complete a Board-approved clinical examination, and pass the Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination covering state statutes and rules. The initial application fee is $300, and all dentists must renew their license biennially. Continuing education requirements include 24 hours per renewal cycle, with two mandatory hours in chemical dependency education.
Tennessee is also one of only three states that does not provide dental care benefits to Medicaid-eligible adults, a policy gap that leaves hundreds of thousands of lower-income residents without coverage for routine preventive care. According to America’s Health Rankings (BRFSS, 2022), Tennessee ranks near the bottom nationally in the percentage of adults who visited a dentist within the past year. The state’s senior population faces particularly steep barriers: a PMC longitudinal study found that dental visit rates among Tennessee adults aged 60 and older declined between 2010 and 2018, driven in part by high out-of-pocket costs and limited insurance options. Research also links untreated oral disease to elevated risks of cardiovascular conditions, diabetes complications, and lost workplace productivity.
Urban practices in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, and Chattanooga increasingly invest in technologies such as cone-beam CT scanning, digital impressions, same-day CEREC crowns, and laser-assisted gum treatment, though availability of these tools drops significantly in smaller communities. Sedation dentistry options, including nitrous oxide and IV sedation, are regulated by the Board through separate permit classifications, and dentists offering these services must hold current Advanced Cardiac Life Support or Pediatric Advanced Life Support certification.
When selecting a dentist, verifying a provider’s active license through the Tennessee Board of Dentistry’s online lookup tool at tn.gov/health confirms that credentials are current and no disciplinary actions are pending. Patients should confirm that a practice accepts their specific insurance plan, since in-network and out-of-network reimbursement rates vary considerably across carriers like Delta Dental, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and Cigna. Asking about the range of services performed in-house, rather than referred to specialists, provides insight into whether a single practice can address needs from routine cleanings and fillings to implants and orthodontics. Reading patient reviews on Google and other platforms offers perspective on scheduling efficiency, chairside communication, and how well a practice handles dental anxiety, a factor that prevents many Tennessee adults from seeking timely care.
Top Dentist Providers in Tennessee
1. Dentistry of Nashville
- Address: 2125 Blakemore Ave, Nashville, TN 37212
- Phone: (615) 383-3690
- Website: https://dentistryofnashville.com
- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,022 reviews)
- Services: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, CEREC same-day crowns, LANAP laser treatment, periodontal care, sedation dentistry, crowns and bridges, root canals, teeth whitening, TMD treatment, emergency dentistry
- Description: Established in 1919, Dentistry of Nashville is the oldest continuously operating dental practice in the city. The practice is led by Dr. James Fleming, Dr. Michael Vaughan, and Dr. Megan Chavana, who provide general, cosmetic, and restorative care using technologies including CEREC same-day crown fabrication and LANAP laser periodontal therapy.
2. Knoxville Smiles at Malone & Costa Dentistry
- Address: 264 S Peters Rd, Knoxville, TN 37923
- Phone: (865) 539-1776
- Website: https://knoxvillesmiles.com
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,123 reviews)
- Services: general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, YOMI robotic-guided implant surgery, Invisalign, crowns and bridges, dentures, root canal therapy, teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, laser dentistry, TMJ/TMD treatment, sedation dentistry, bone grafting, wisdom tooth removal, emergency dentistry
- Description: Founded in 1997 by Dr. Stephen Malone and Dr. Michael Costa, Knoxville Smiles operates from West Knoxville with an in-house lab and an extensive technology suite that includes cone-beam CT, digital impressions, and the YOMI robotic-guided dental implant system. The practice was one of the first in Tennessee to offer FDA-cleared robotic implant placement.
3. Higginbotham Family Dental
- Address: 113 Harbor Town Square Suite 203, Memphis, TN 38103
- Phone: (901) 453-6081
- Website: https://higginbothamfamilydental.com
- Rating: 4.9/5 (1,096 reviews)
- Services: general dentistry, dental implants, veneers, Invisalign, teeth whitening, dental crowns, root canals, laser therapy, dentures, bridges, cavity fillings, cosmetic bonding, emergency dentistry
- Description: Located in the Harbor Town neighborhood of downtown Memphis, Higginbotham Family Dental serves patients across multiple Memphis-area locations including East Memphis, Bartlett, Germantown, and Collierville. Dr. John Crown, who joined the practice in 2019, brings over 30 years of clinical experience since earning his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Southern Illinois University in 1994.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentist in Tennessee
Q: How can I verify that a dentist is properly licensed in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Board of Dentistry maintains a public license verification tool accessible through tn.gov/health. Entering a provider’s name returns their license status, license type, issue date, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions. All dentists practicing in Tennessee must hold an active license issued by the Board, which requires graduation from a CODA-accredited dental school, passage of national board and clinical examinations, and completion of the Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination.
Q: Does Tennessee Medicaid cover dental care for adults?
Tennessee is one of only three states that does not include dental benefits in its adult Medicaid program. TennCare, the state’s Medicaid managed care system, provides dental coverage for enrolled children under 21 through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment benefit, but adults over 21 do not receive routine preventive or restorative dental coverage through the program. Adults without employer-sponsored dental insurance may consider discount dental plans or practices that offer in-house membership plans.
Q: How often should I visit the dentist for a routine checkup?
The American Dental Association recommends that adults schedule dental visits at intervals determined by their dentist, though most providers suggest twice-yearly exams and cleanings as a baseline. Patients with gum disease, diabetes, a smoking history, or a weakened immune system may benefit from more frequent visits. Tennessee’s low rate of annual dental visits among adults (BRFSS, 2022) underscores that many residents delay care until symptoms become acute, which often increases both treatment complexity and cost.
Q: What should I expect to pay for common dental procedures without insurance in Tennessee?
A routine dental cleaning in Tennessee typically ranges from $75 to $200, while a single dental filling may cost between $150 and $350 depending on the material and tooth location. Crowns generally fall between $800 and $1,500 per tooth, and a single dental implant with abutment and crown can range from $3,000 to $5,000. Prices vary by practice and region, and many Tennessee dental offices offer payment plans or accept third-party financing through services like CareCredit.
Q: What continuing education is required for Tennessee dentists?
Tennessee dentists must complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain an active license. Of those 24 hours, two must be in chemical dependency education approved by the Board of Dentistry. The Board also requires all dental professionals to pass the Tennessee Jurisprudence Examination at initial licensure and upon any reinstatement or reactivation of a lapsed license.
Q: Are dental X-rays safe, and how often are they needed?
Dental X-rays use very low radiation doses, and modern digital radiography reduces exposure by up to 80 percent compared to traditional film. The American Dental Association recommends that the frequency of X-rays be based on individual risk factors such as age, oral health history, and the presence of symptoms. A new patient typically receives a full set of radiographs at the initial visit, with periodic bitewing X-rays at subsequent checkups to monitor for decay between teeth.