Sullivan Dental Partners is a practice where 'everybody knows your name.' Dr. Rick, Dr. Sully,Dr. Meghana, Dr. Jackson and our team are proud to have been serving friends and neighbors in the Brentwood area for decades. Once patients find us, they never want to leave - some drive over an hour to see us, and we have several patients who have seen four generations ofSullivansas their dentists. We think that says a lot about the kind of care you can expect to receive every time you visit!

I received my bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry from Rhodes College in Memphis. I then attended the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, where I graduated in 1988 as salutatorian with honors.

Im heavily involved with many types of continuing education, including lectures, meetings, and hands-on demonstrations. Oral healthcare is constantly evolving. The new technologies, along with materials and processes, mean even more comfortable care and strong results for my patients. By staying current with these changes, I ensure my patients have access to the best care possible.

I love what I do, as it allows me to enhance each patients quality of life. Being a general dentist means I form relationships that last for years and sometimes generations. Ive practiced long enough that I am now seeing the children of patients who were children when I first became a dentist.

As a fourth-generation dentist, the profession is in my blood. I have spent my entire life in and around the dental office. I have had the privilege of studying under my father and my grandfather. I have many patients now who have seen my grandfather, my father, me, and now my son as well. We are part of this wonderful community, and I cannot be more grateful to be allowed to care for the smiles of my friends and neighbors.

Ive lived in Brentwood my whole life. My wife Linda and I were married in 1987, and our son, Richard Sullivan, IV, DDS, is a new member of the practice. Our daughter, Emily Anne Sullivan, is a registered nurse. We have three Pomeranians, too: Tank, Smith, and Wesson.

I graduated from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 2011 with honors and received my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Tennessee College of Dentistry in 2015, where I received the Deans Award for Clinical Excellence.

As a dentist, I have the unique opportunity to truly impact peoples lives. When Im relieving discomfort, straightening teeth and restoring function, or providing a beautiful and confident smile, Im helping my patients look and feel better.

I am honored that patients come to me and trust me with their oral health. The lifelong friendships we build and strengthen during their visits are immensely rewarding. I love our conversations and what each person chooses to share with me. Not only does this create a bond, but it gives me insight into the best way to approach their oral healthcare needs.

Im proud to be a fifth-generation dentist and to be joining my father in our family practice. Growing up in a dental family, seeing the fulfillment my father and grandfather found in their days, and witnessing the friendships they made with their patients; all these made dentistry the logical path. I have no doubt I made the right decision.

My formal schooling provided a great foundational knowledge with regard to dentistry. However, oral healthcare is a constantly changing discipline. With developments in techniques and technology, as well as new materials, its essential I remain current on the changes. By participating in multiple continuing education courses and attending meetings and lectures through the American Dental Association, I stay up to date with the developments.

Im particularly excited by my continuing education in Six Month Smiles, an accelerated, cosmetic braces solution that creates incredible smiles. I also completed Pinhole Rejuvenation with Dr. John Chao, and I am a graduate of Alabama Implant Education. In addition, I am a member of the American Dental Association, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Most recently I have spent quite a bit of time furthering my education with implants. I am currently a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

I married my amazing, beautiful, Godly wife Caroline in 2013. We met in our senior year at the University of Tennessee in social dance class. After several years of long-distance romance while I was in dental school, we were married on Kiawah Island in her home state of South Carolina. Caroline is extremely talented, having graduated in the top of her class at UTs business school. We welcomed our first child, Richard Hugh Sullivan V, who we call Hugh, into the world in November of 2018, and we can't wait to see if he continues the Sullivan Dental legacy!

When were not working, youll often find us walking at Radnor Lake or cooking an amazing meal. On weekends, were either hanging at the lake with friends and family or heading to Knoxville to cheer on the Volunteers!

Im a life-long southerner, born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. I graduated in 2014 from Vanderbilt University, here in Nashville (Go Dores!), with a degree in Neuroscience and Biological Sciences. I graduated and worked in management consulting, after which I returned to school to receive my Doctorate in Dental Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2019. Furthering a desire to continue and expand my dental education (Im a life-long learner), I was fortunate to earn the opportunity to complete a residency in General Dentistry Practice at the Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. I was able to expand my practical knowledge in all aspects of dentistry - from medically complex patient management to sedation, to emergency dental treatment.

I am so excited to join the team at Sullivan Dental Partners as their new dentist. I have enjoyed guiding my patients to an understanding and exploration of their dental needs. It has been most rewarding to experience, along with my patients, the transformations from dental issues and concerns to health and esthetics. My goal is to develop a symbiotic relationship between provider and patient, where we provide a compassionate, proactive clinical environment, nurture independence, and emphasize home care. As a daughter of scientists, I appreciate that oral health cannot be divorced from overall health and I strive to approach my patient care holistically. I very much value the trust that my patients place in my hands and I am honored to be your choice of dentist to guide you through this journey.

I am delighted to return to Nashville, my favorite city, and cant wait to explore all the changes that have happened since I left. Im an avid crafter and in my free time I love to knit, embroider (or paint with thread), and do pottery. I also love traveling and try to explore this country and world as often as I can. One of my biggest draws to return to Nashville was the live music scene, and I cant wait to be part of a crowd enjoying music again. I enjoy volunteering for organizations that address homelessness and access to health/dental care. In dental school, I was lucky to spend time in Washington, DC, and Montgomery, AL, personally urging our lawmakers to pass laws that increase patients' access to quality dental care, addressing the opioid crisis, and student loans. One of my most rewarding experiences in my residency was when we dedicated our clinic to serving patients with special needs who so often were unable to find providers that would treat them. I plan on bringing these services and passions with me throughout my career.