DeKalb Dental Center, the office of Dr. Mitch Tatum, D.D.S. is hosting an Open House of the new facility on Friday, August 12 from 3-6 p.m. at 201
South 3rd Street.
Everyone is invited to stop by to take a tour, enjoy refreshments, and register for drawings
The Chamber of Commerce also plans a ribbon cutting.
Construction was completed in late spring on the new 3,500 square foot dental center which is next to the location where the former building once stood. The center sports an attractive new look and features nine identical patient treatment rooms or operatories, new state-of- the art equipment, spacious waiting room and offices, and a down stairs storage area and break room for employees
“We’ve been in it about two months and probably about 18 months from the time we decided we were going to do it. We have a lot more space now and we’re offering more services,” said Dr. Tatum.
The center offers new high tech dental x-rays, implants and a new water filtration system among other services. “We’re going to start offering implants from start to finish where you don’t have to be referred out to have them placed. With our new Cone Beam Computer tomography Machine (CBCT) and the digital x-ray technology it provides, we can offer much more precise surgical planning and implant creation. Through CEREC Dental restoration, we use computers which includes 3D and CAD/CAM technology to provide crowns in one office visit. We also have a new Sterisil filtration system for dental unit water lines which eliminates the need for independent bottles to cleanse dental equipment and handpieces,” said Dr. Tatum
Born in Shelbyville and raised in Nashville, Dr. Tatum received his high school education from Ezell Harding and later graduated from David Lipscomb University. He and his wife Gina are the parents of three sons, 20 year old Will and Zach (twins) and 16 year old Drew.
Dr. Tatum has been practicing in Smithville for sixteen years, having bought the business from Dr. Larry Puckett. “ I found my way up here looking for a job after dental school. I started out in Woodbury as an associate for a few years and was looking to buy my own practice. Dr. Puckett, who had been practicing since 1964, was wanting to retire so he called me up one day and we started talking. We continued talking after that day off and on for probably about eight months before I bought his practice,” said Dr. Tatum.
Dr. Tatum’s wife Gina Tatum, who is originally from Spring Hill, said after they moved here so did Dr. Tatum’s parents. “We’re lucky to have them living here. They moved up here two years after we moved. Its nice to have family here,” she said.
“My dad had retired and they were trying to get out of Nashville too,”said Dr. Tatum
“And move closer to some of their grandkids,” added Gina.
Dr. Tatum said it has been a joy serving and caring for his dental patients and he is most appreciative of his loyal staff. “I’m the second newest employee,” said Dr. Tatum with a smile. ““Five of them have been here longer than me. We recently added a new assistant. I’ve been extremely lucky to have this wonderful staff, which includes two dental hygienists, two assistants, a hygiene assistant and three administrative personnel. They are all really loyal to the practice and loyal to our patients”, he said.
The Tatum’s hope you will make plans to join them for the open house of the new dental center on Friday from 3-6 p.m. at the 201 South 3rd Street.
“If you are looking for a dentist we would be glad to have you. We’ll treat you like family,” Dr. Tatum concluded.
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