We are delighted to share that the Bellano team has grown once again! Dr. Gina Harris has joined Dr. Pat Barnes at Bartlett - Appling South location and is already seeing patients and getting settled in. We are thrilled to have her on the team and wanted to give you all the opportunity to get to know her a little better. Read below for a recent interview with Dr. Harris to learn more about the passion she brings to her practice.

We would love to share your professional background prior to joining Bellano. How long have you been in dentistry, and what made you want to be a dentist?

I actually started out as a dental hygienist in Nashville. I really loved my dental hygienist growing up, and this is what originally led me into the field of dentistry. About 2 years into being a hygienist, I remember watching my dentist and thinking “I like what he does!” I loved the variety of services that a dentist could provide and the opportunity to build personal relationships with patients. Ultimately, informed by my practical experience as a hygienist, I decided to go back to school and become a dentist myself. Since I already had a bachelor’s degree and most of the prerequisites, making the jump to dental school was a little easier than it would have been otherwise. I knew I wanted to stay in Tennessee, and chose UT in Memphis for my Dental training, graduating in 2015.

What was your previous work experience like?

Since graduating 8 years ago I have practiced at several different dental offices, including another office here in Memphis and a pediatrics practice in Horn Lake, but my family has lived in Bartlett for a while. I’d heard a lot of wonderful things about Bellano and had been driving past the Bellano Appling North office for years!

What made you want to join the Bellano team?

There are so many reasons why I wanted to be part of the Bellano team, but I’d say one of the most important things to me would be their commitment to ethics and giving patients resources and support.. At Bellano, we are honest with our patients and will always do what is best for them. We put their health first and work together to figure out the best plan of action to meet their goals. I will also add how amazing and helpful the team has been since I joined. It is important to me to never stop learning, so I was looking for opportunities that had an aspect of mentorship with other experienced dentists. We as a team are all very collaborative, and all of the doctors have been so willing to answer my questions and let me learn from them.

When did you start seeing patients? How has that been going?

I started seeing patients at Bellano on February 6th. It’s been wonderful so far! Everyone has been so welcoming and kind. Dr. Barnes has been introducing me to his patients and helping me build those personal relationships. Since many of his patients have been with him for so long, they want to know that the dentist they love is bringing in someone he trusts. My goal is to be a good steward and partner in caring for everything he’s built over the years - especially maintaining continuity of care for the patients.

If you had to pick 1 dental procedure that is your favorite to perform, what would it be?

I love restorative dentistry! It is really satisfying to see a sick tooth and immediately know that I can make it better. Whether it’s filling cavities or providing new dentures, I want to help my patients feel more comfortable and confident with their teeth by addressing both cosmetic and health concerns. I also want my patients to feel at ease with me and never embarrassed or pressured. I’m always here to help and will never pass judgment.

What do you like to do outside of work? Any interesting hobbies?

In addition to being a dentist, I am a mom to two little girls and a military spouse. My husband is in the Air Force and had actually met Dr. Barnes before as he was a dentist that could do pre-deployment checkups and clearances thanks to his military background (small world!). I am also a huge fan of line dancing and have found a great community here for that. It is a great way to stay active, make friends, and eliminate stress. It is one of the things I missed most during covid, and I am glad that we have been able to resume our meet-ups. We live in Bartlett, so being able to practice in my own community is really exciting.

Is there anything you would like to share with your new patients?

I am so excited to be a part of the Bellano team and to get to know each patient, partnering with them to make the best decisions for their dental health. Building relationships for the long term is always my goal, and I look forward to being a dentist for whole families. The trust that Dr. Barnes and his patients are putting in me is not taken lightly, and I intend to take great care of the office and the relationships he has built over the years here in Bartlett. I look forward to meeting and getting to know you all!