Dr. Dushyant Patel
The Professional Side
Dr. Patel grew up in southern Illinois in a small town called Salem. Growing up in a close-knit society instilled in him a sense of community and partnership that he has carried into the Gallatin, TN area. Dr. Patel completed his undergraduate degree at St. Louis University, graduating with honors, and his dental degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dr. Patel’s passion for dentistry came in part from his own experiences needing dental work.
Dr. Patel is among the region’s most extensively trained dental implant providers, with several hundred hours of advanced education completed through the renowned Alabama Implant Education program. He further enhanced his expertise by completing an implant-focused residency at the same institution, gaining extensive hands-on experience to better serve his patients’ needs. His education in dentistry has taken him to countries such as Brazil and Spain to train under leading implant surgeons and dentists worldwide. Dr. Patel also provides outstanding family and routine dental care, ensuring comprehensive treatment for patients of all ages in our community.
Unlike many dentists, Dr. Patel will openly discuss with patients that he, too, was not the ideal patient growing up and subsequently spent a lot of time on the patient side of the dental chair. It was there that his passion for improving oral health originally developed, and he emphasizes a no-judgment environment for patients seeking routine, cosmetic, implant, or comprehensive treatment.
The Personal Side
Dr. Dushyant Patel grew up in southern Illinois in a small rural community called Salem. He has always said that he wanted to work in a small-town setting and felt that Gallatin held many of the same charms that he grew up around.
One thing that he would want his patients to know about him professionally is that he understands what it is like to be unhappy with your smile and your teeth. Growing up, Dr. Patel was very self-conscious about his smile, and he had to conquer his dental anxiety and fears to get through many dental procedures to feel confident and happy with it. Going through that experience is what allows him to empathize with his patients. He tries to ensure that each patient has the most comfortable and personable experience he can provide.
Dr. Patel believes that moving to Tennessee was one of the best decisions of his life. The people are astoundingly friendly, and he and his wife could not be happier laying roots here in the area and becoming more involved in the community. Dr. Patel and his wife, Riya, feel incredibly welcome and are having a great time exploring everything their surroundings have to offer.
Dr. Dushyant Patel met his wife, Riya, five years ago, and she is definitely his better half. Riya works in real estate, and they have a dog named Scooby, whom Riya rescued eight years ago from a shelter. One of the best parts of their days is seeing Scooby run in and hug them when they get home from work. Dr. Patel and Riya both love hiking, traveling, cooking, and volunteering.
Dr. Caroline Waringa
Dr. Caroline Waringa is excited to serve her patients in Gallatin, TN! Dr. Caroline grew up in Buffalo, NY, and moved to Pittsburgh, PA, to complete her education. She finished her undergraduate studies with a bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Pittsburgh. She remained at the University of Pittsburgh and earned her doctor of dental medicine degree, graduating at the top of her class. She then completed a general practice residency in beautiful Asheville, NC, where she learned advanced skills, trained in the OR, and managed complex dental cases.
Dr. Caroline is passionate about serving those in need. She has completed two dental brigades, crossing borders and bringing access to dental care to remote areas of Guatemala and Honduras. She has participated in Mission of Mercy dental clinics to increase access to dental care in her local communities as well.
In her free time, Dr. Caroline enjoys hiking, running, traveling, discovering new coffee shops, and watching the Bills football!
In Memory Of Dr. Steve Mays
Dr. Steve Mays was the primary dentist of Sumner Dental Group before passing on his legacy to Dr. Dushyant Patel. Dr. Patel was chosen to take over Dr. Mays’ practice to continue to serve the patients in Gallatin, TN. Dr. Mays started his career as a military dentist while being involved in the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. He was most known in the area of cosmetic dentistry and graduated from dental school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis in 1987. He is survived by his wife and two sons. Dr. Steve Mays took this practice over from Dr. Patterson, who is still a patient of Sumner Dental Group.