Welcome to Building Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

Get to know your new pediatric dentist

If you're looking for a pediatric dentist in Shelbyville, Tennessee, I want to take a moment to introduce myself — because I think it matters to know who's going to be looking after your child's smile. My name is Dr. Chauncey Hensley, and I'm a board-certified pediatric dentist and diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I earned my DMD at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine and completed my pediatric dental residency at NYU Langone Health in Tampa, Florida. That's a lot of training — and every bit of it was in service of one goal: becoming the kind of dentist kids actually feel good about seeing.

I didn't stumble into this specialty. I started my family young — my wife and I welcomed our first child during my sophomore year of undergrad — and by the time I had the chance to shadow a pediatric dentist, it clicked immediately. Working with children felt natural to me as a new dad, and it still does today. Seven years and four kids of my own later, I still show up every morning genuinely excited about the work. I'm an avid Pokémon card collector, a LEGO enthusiast, and a dirt bike rider — which means I usually have no trouble finding something to talk to my patients about before we even get started.

A team and an office built around one thing: your child's comfort

Building Smiles Pediatric Dentistry was built from the ground up with children in mind — not retrofitted, not adapted, but designed specifically to serve kids and the families who bring them in. Every member of our team was selected because they share the same belief: that a child who feels safe and welcome at the dentist is a child who will carry good oral health habits for life. From the moment you walk through our doors, you'll be greeted warmly, kept informed, and never made to feel like just another appointment on the schedule.

The office itself reflects that same philosophy. Our waiting room features a kids' play area to help little ones settle in before their appointment. Every treatment chair has an overhead TV, and we offer headphones and in-room gaming options to keep patients comfortable and distracted during their visit. New patient forms are handled digitally before your arrival, so there's no clipboard scramble at the front desk. We've thought through the details because we know the details are what make the difference between a child who dreads the dentist and one who actually looks forward to coming back.

Modern care, conservative approach, and a full range of services for every child

At Building Smiles, we offer the full spectrum of pediatric dental care — from routine preventive visits like cleanings, exams, fluoride treatments, and sealants, to restorative work including tooth-colored fillings, stainless steel crowns, pulpotomies, and space maintainers. We see children from their very first visit at age one all the way through their teenage years, and we treat patients with special needs who require extra care and patience. For families dealing with a dental emergency, we offer same-day appointments and after-hours care as needed — because we know those situations don't wait for a convenient time.

One of the things I'm most proud of at this practice is our approach to anxiety and pain management. We use the SOAN device to deliver genuinely pain-free anesthesia — not just "we'll be gentle," but a clinically proven, measurably comfortable experience. For children who need more support, we offer laughing gas, oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia, all in-office. We also use a digital intraoral scanner in place of traditional impression trays, making procedures like space maintainers and crown fabrication faster and far more comfortable. Our approach is conservative by design — we do what's needed, explain it clearly, and never recommend treatment we wouldn't recommend for our own kids.

Ready to make Building Smiles your child's dental home?

Shelbyville now has a board-certified pediatric dental specialist right in the community — and we'd love for your family to be part of what we're building here. Whether your child is due for their very first visit, needs restorative care, or has had difficult dental experiences in the past and needs a fresh start, Building Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is ready to meet them exactly where they are. Give us a call at (931) 488-4418 to schedule your child's appointment, or request one online — we can't wait to meet your family and start building a smile that lasts a lifetime.