As of 1/1/24 we will no longer be in the Guardian network. We will still be happy to see Guardian patients in our office but as an out of network provider. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you in the new year.
The American Dental Association and the Tennessee Dental Association have and continue to be our guiding source as we navigate dentistry in today’s society. We have worked diligently to clean our office from top to bottom. You may also notice our patient reception area with a new protective glass shield at the front desk. Our operatories and hygiene rooms now each have air purifiers with HEPA filters to improve the air quality.
What extra precautions is the office taking? Your health and safety is our goal! In addition to cleaning our offices, we have implemented-
• Protective shields at our front reception areas.
• Air purifiers with HEPA filters in our surgical and hygiene rooms.
• Screening patients with a verbal and/or paper questionnaire
• Having you rinse with hydrogen peroxide at our office prior to your procedure.
Again, we appreciate your patience and trusting us with your dental health!
Serving the Inglewood-Nashville area since 2002!
Dr. Baker-Curtis is a graduate of science in Biology from the University of Tennessee in 1991. She received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Alabama in 1995, and has been licensed in both Tennessee and Alabama since 1995.
She was an Honor Prosthodontics student and Ethics Council President from 1994-1995. Dr. Baker-Curtis was a member of the Rivergate study club, and is now a member of Sumner SheDocs study club since 2012.
Dr. Baker-Curtis is also a pet lover: she has three cats and a bunny rabbit.
Affiliations:
Nashville Dental Society
Tennessee Dental Association
American Dental Association
Academy of General Dentistry
Days: Monday – Wednesday
A brief overview of some of our frequent services!
Prophylaxis
Maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important things you can do for your teeth and gums. Healthy teeth not only enable you to look and feel good, they make it possible to eat and speak properly. Good oral health is important to your overall well-being. Daily preventive care, including proper brushing and flossing, will help stop problems before they develop.
Cosmetic Bonding
Bonding involves adhering composite resin material that is matched to the color of the tooth, to the front of the tooth. This is performed to repair damage caused by decay, to alter the alignment of the tooth, close gaps between the teeth, or for other cosmetic purposes. First the surface of the tooth is roughened in order to accept the bonding. A gel is applied so the resin will adhere to the surface of the tooth. The composite is then placed on the tooth and the bonding agent hardens with intense light. The last step is shaping and polishing to give a lustrous finish.
Dental Implant Crown Placements
A dental implant is an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth as a result of injury, periodontal disease, or any other reason. A dental implant is a metal titanium post that a periodontist or oral surgeon surgically positions into the jaw. While implants are typically more expensive than other methods of tooth replacement, they provide superior benefits. Implants are stronger than natural teeth and generally last 10-20 years. They are also a more favorable approach than bridgework since they do not depend on neighboring teeth for support.
Tooth Extractions
Good oral hygiene should always be practiced since the loss of a single tooth can have major impact upon your oral health and appearance. Although dentists will use every measure to prevent tooth loss, there are still sometimes necessary occasions when a tooth may need to be extracted. Based on the degree of difficulty, we may refer you to a specialized oral surgeon. For a simple extraction, we will first apply a local anesthetic to prevent pain and discomfort. Once the procedure is complete, the area may be closed with one or two stitches. We will then provide you with care instructions to alleviate discomfort and ensure proper healing.
Simple Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the last molars or “third molars” that develop on each side of the jaws. Wisdom teeth usually emerge in the back of the mouth between the ages of 16-20. Wisdom teeth are a valuable asset to the mouth when they are healthy and properly positioned. Often, however, problems develop that require their removal. A wisdom tooth extraction is a relatively routine procedure. The dentist will numb the area in your mouth with a local anesthesia. If the extraction will be a more difficult procedure, we will refer you to an Oral Surgeon who will use IV sedation, so you will be asleep during the procedure.
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is made necessary when an untreated cavity reaches all the way to this pulp. Treatment may also be needed when deep restorations or trauma to a tooth cause nerve damage. Once the pulp becomes infected, it can begin to eat away at the surrounding bone. If the pulp is infected, not only is it painful but it will require treatment as it cannot heal on its own. Symptoms that indicate the pulp has become infected may include sensitivity to hot/cold or sweets, pain, swelling, pain to biting or pressure, and a bad taste in the mouth.
Dentures and Partials
A full denture or a partial denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues. There are two types of dentures available, including partial and complete dentures. Partial dentures are used when some natural teeth remain, while complete dentures are used to completely replace all teeth. Dentures are made to resemble your natural teeth so there should be no noticeable change to your appearance. In fact, dentures may even improve your smile!
Fillings
A filling is a way to restore a tooth damaged by decay back to its normal function and shape. If you have a tooth that requires a filling, the dentist will first remove the decayed tooth material, clean the affected area, and then fill the cleaned out cavity with a filling material. A filling helps prevent further decay by closing off any cracks or spaces where bacteria can enter.
Bleaching
X-rays are a focused beam of x-ray particles passed through bone which produce an image on special film, showing the structure through which it passed. This provides the familiar black and white images doctors and dentists use to diagnose problems and disease. In our office we use digital radiography which allows us to take x-rays using up to 90% less radiation than conventional film x-rays. Using this technology, we are able to take an x-ray of your mouth by using a small sensor which records the image of your teeth and sends it to a computer.
Meet our awesome and friendly staff!
Dr. Sarah Shadix
DMD
Dr. Shadix is a graduate of Biomedical Engineering in 2007 and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Alabama in 2010. She has been with Dr. Baker-Curtis since 2012 at Inglewood Family Dentistry as an Associate Dentist on Thursdays.
Affiliations:
- Nashville Dental Society
- Tennessee Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Academy of General Dentistry
Brandi Seckinger
RDA & Office Manager
Brandi has been an RDA since 1997 she attended Nashville Tech Community College dental assisting program. Brandi has been with Dr. Baker-Curtis since 1997. When she is not at work she enjoys time with her family, hiking, walking and playing with her two dogs and cats.
Melanie Crosby
Registered Dental Hygienist
Melanie has been with Dr. Baker-Curtis since 2007 at Inglewood Family Dentistry. She is a Registered Dental Hygienist certified in local anesthesia and Nitrous Oxide administration. She has been in dentistry since 1986.
Days: Mondays – Wednesdays
Audrey Hollis
Registered Dental Assitant
Audrey Hollis attended Remington College for dental assisting and graduated in 2013.
Audrey loves her job and loves educating people on their oral health. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her kids and do things outdoors. Audrey was born and raised in the Nashville area and enjoys helping people in the community.
Jennifer McCoy
Registered Dental Assistant
Jennifer has been with Dr. Baker-Curtis since 2011 at Inglewood Family Dentistry. She is the Front Receptionist and a Registered Dental Assistant, and has been in the dental field since 2000.
Naomi Tomlinson
Registered Dental Assistant
Naomi has been with Dr. Baker-Curtis since 2003 at Inglewood Family Dentistry. She is a Registered Dental Hygienist certified in Local Anesthesia and Expanded Functions. She has been in dentistry since 1999.
Days: Thursdays Only
Eden Holley
Expanded Function Dental Assistant
Eden attended Volunteer State for dental assisting and graduated in 2014. She also received her expanded restorative and prosthetic functions at the dental school at UT Memphis. Eden was raised in Dickson and loves the Nashville area.
Shannon VanBrackle
Registered Dental Assistant
Shannon graduate from Tennessee State University with her associate’s degree in Dental Hygiene, and she is certified in local anesthesia. Shannon was born and raised in Brentwood and loves Nashville. When she’s not working, she enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with her husband and Labradoodle. She enjoys teaching people about their oral health and creating more smiles!
Halle Wilson
Registered Dental Assistant
Halle graduated from Western Kentucky University in 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene, and she is certified in local anesthesia. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her husband and their puppy, as well as her family and friends.
Our Policies and Programs
Our Policies
Dental Insurance
Inglewood Family Dentistry happily accepts most insurance plans from Aetna, BCBST, Delta Dental, Cigna, and others. Please call if you have any questions about your provider.
Please note, at this time Inglewood family dentistry is NOT accepting new patients with the following insurance providers: Humana and United Healthcare. At this time, we are currently NOT participating with MetLife, and we apologize for any inconvenience.
As of 1/1/24 we will no longer be in the Guardian network. We will still be happy to see Guardian patients in our office but as an out of network provider. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to see you in the new year.
Finance Options
You can pay for your office visits and any treatments by cash, credit or debit card at the time of treatment. We also accept most major dental insurance plans. To discuss your payment options or insurance coverage, please call 615-228-9066.
For your convenience, we are pleased to accept patient financing through CareCredit.
Referral Programs
We appreciate the referrals of your family, friends, and colleagues. For each referral you send to us, you will receive a $15.00 credit on your account, which can be used towards future treatments. This is our way of thanking you for your generous referral.
Please call us at 615-228-9066 to schedule your appointment today!
Our Practice
Address: 4311 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, TN 37216
Phone: 615-228-9066
Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Friday – Sunday: Closed
NEW PATIENT FORMS — please print, fill out, and bring to your appointment!