About Us
You found the right place
A dental home built for kids, and the families who love them
Building Smiles Pediatric Dentistry exists because children deserve more than a dentist who "sees kids" — they deserve a specialist who chose this work on purpose, built a practice around it, and shows up every day because they genuinely love it. Dr. Hensley founded this practice to give Shelbyville families access to board-certified pediatric dental care in a place that feels nothing like what most people picture when they hear "the dentist." This is where great oral health habits are built — one visit, one smile, one child at a time.
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Meet Dr. Hensley
Growing up in a household that moved frequently for his father's construction work, Dr. Hensley spent time across Arizona, Florida, and everywhere in between before finding his footing in healthcare. From an early age, he knew he wanted a career where he could work with his hands and make a real difference in people's lives. Dentistry checked both boxes. Pediatric dentistry checked every single one.
During his undergraduate years at BYU-Idaho, where he earned his BS in Exercise Physiology, Dr. Hensley started his family — welcoming his first child with his wife during his sophomore year. That experience as a young father drew him toward kids in a way that felt completely natural. When he had the chance to shadow a pediatric dentist, it clicked immediately. He pursued that path with everything he had, going on to earn his DMD at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine before completing his pediatric dental residency at NYU Langone Health in Tampa, Florida — one of the most respected programs in the country.
Today, Dr. Hensley is a board-certified pediatric dentist and diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a credential that reflects rigorous post-residency examination and a commitment to the highest standards of care for children. He is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Tennessee Academy of Pediatric Dentists. With seven years of hands-on experience treating children of all ages, temperaments, and needs, he brings a level of specialist training to Shelbyville that most rural communities simply don't have access to.
Dr. Hensley's approach is conservative by design — he believes in doing only what a child truly needs, explaining everything clearly to parents, and never rushing through a visit just to get to the next one. He uses the SOAN device to deliver genuinely pain-free anesthesia, offers the full spectrum of sedation options for anxious and special needs patients, and stays current on modern techniques so families always receive the best care available. For him, dentistry isn't about fixing problems after the fact — it's about building the habits, confidence, and trust that keep kids healthy for life.
Outside the office, Dr. Hensley is a dad of four who rides dirt bikes, hunts and fishes when he gets the chance, attempts Michelin-star-level pizza in his home kitchen, and spends rainy days building LEGOs with his kids. He's an avid Pokémon card collector — which, not coincidentally, makes him a very easy dentist for kids to talk to. When he says he gets it, he means it. He's living it right alongside you.
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Your first visit
A great experience from the moment you walk in
We know the idea of a first dental visit can feel like a big deal — especially for little ones who don't know what to expect. That's exactly why we've thought through every detail of the experience, from the play area in the waiting room to the way Dr. Hensley introduces himself before anyone opens their mouth. Our goal is simple: make your child feel so comfortable that they actually want to come back.
Patient experience
Every new patient visit starts with a warm welcome and a chance to get comfortable in the space before anything else happens. Dr. Hensley will take the time to get to know your child, answer your questions, and conduct a thorough exam with X-rays as needed — then walk you through exactly what he found and what he recommends, in plain language, without pressure. For children who are anxious or have had difficult dental experiences before, we have laughing gas, oral sedation, and general anesthesia available to ensure every visit is safe, calm, and manageable. We believe an informed parent and a comfortable child are the foundation of great dental care.
What to bring
Come prepared and we'll take care of the rest. Here's what to bring to your first appointment:
- Insurance card (if applicable)
- Any previous dental records or X-rays
- A list of current medications
- Completed new patient forms (sent digitally before your visit)
- A favorite stuffed animal or comfort item — especially for little ones, it always helps
Care you can actually feel
We built Building Smiles to be the kind of place parents feel relieved to bring their kids — and kids feel genuinely excited to visit. From the waiting room to the treatment chair, every element of the experience was chosen to reduce anxiety, increase comfort, and deliver the kind of care that only comes from combining the right technology with the right team.
Kids' play area
The waiting room at Building Smiles isn't just a row of chairs — it's a space designed to get kids excited before they even reach the chair. Our dedicated play area helps little ones burn off nerves and arrive at their appointment feeling at ease, which makes everything that comes next go a whole lot smoother.
Overhead TVs and in-room entertainment
Every treatment room is equipped with a TV overhead so patients have something to focus on other than what's happening in their mouth. We also offer headphones and in-room gaming options — because sometimes the best way to get through a dental appointment is to be genuinely distracted from it.
Pain-free anesthesia with the SOAN device
One of the most common reasons kids (and adults) fear the dentist is the needle. We use the SOAN device to deliver dental anesthesia in a way that is clinically, measurably pain-free — so that fear stops here. For children who've had uncomfortable experiences with injections in the past, this is often the detail that changes everything.
Intraoral scanner
Gone are the days of messy impression trays. We use a digital intraoral scanner to capture precise images of your child's teeth and mouth — making it faster, more comfortable, and more accurate to create dental appliances like space maintainers, crowns, and mouthguards. Kids almost always think it's pretty cool.
Sedation dentistry
For children who need a little extra support — whether due to dental anxiety, special needs, or the nature of the treatment — we offer the full spectrum of sedation in-office: laughing gas (nitrous oxide), oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia. Having all three options available means no child has to go without the care they need simply because a single approach doesn't work for them.
Digital, paperless intake
New patient forms are sent digitally before your appointment so you can complete everything from home, on your schedule — no clipboards, no rushing through paperwork at the front desk. It's one less thing to stress about on the day of the visit.
Let's get started
Ready to give your child a dental home they'll actually love?
