It’s a lively dental office. The soft conversations create a friendly and comfortable environment. Dr. Ethan Tindall, dressed in a crisp white coat, moves swiftly between patient rooms, his demeanor calm and collected. A brief montage of moments captures the essence of his work — a child giggling as he counts his teeth, an older patient sharing special memories, and a couple discussing their treatment plan, all reflecting the genuine connections Tindall builds at Winchester Family Dentistry.
Tindall grew up in a small lake town in Clear Lake, Iowa, where he found that local dentists were very well respected and heavily involved in the community. As a young boy, he dreamed of one day bringing the same qualities of community involvement to his future community through dentistry. He wanted to infuse that same down-home spirit from Iowa into his new practice in Tennessee.
He and his wife fell in love with Winchester as soon as they arrived. Tindall was drawn to the town for its beauty and focus on community health and wellness, demonstrated by its dental practitioners. He soon discovered Dr. Orr, a dentist known for his principles of ongoing education and exceptional patient care.
“When I met Dr. Orr, I realized we shared similar treatment philosophies and goals,” Tindall shared.
The two quickly connected, and when Orr remodeled his office, he invited Tindall to join his team.
Tindall practiced dentistry for five years before joining Winchester Family Dental. During that time, he quickly began to witness firsthand the fascinating connection between oral health and systemic conditions.
“It all starts with the oral cavity being the gateway to the rest of the body,” he began.
“Bacteria from the mouth can also be found in patients with respiratory issues like pneumonia, pregnancy complications including premature birth and low birth weight, chronic inflammation causing arthritis, and some research out there suggests a link to cognitive decline in conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
With each patient interaction, he became increasingly aware of how oral health impacts everything from heart disease to diabetes management.
“Gum disease can also make it harder to control blood sugar levels, leading to difficulty in diabetes management,” he explained.
One of the most common challenges he encounters is the silent epidemic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
“The negative implications of OSA affect the whole body and include symptoms like poor sleep, fatigue, high blood pressure, weight gain, headaches, [attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder], bed wetting, and hormonal issues, just to name a few. It affects both adults and kids,” he noted.
Cost and accessibility remain significant barriers for patients, often leading them to seek care only when pain becomes unbearable, making preventative care nearly impossible.
The faculty at Winchester Family Dentistry understands the pressing need for accessible dental services, which is why they participated in community events like the One Day event in Winchester, where they provide free extractions and dental education to those who need it.
As a dentist, Tindall is heavily committed to continuous education.
“As technology and research advances, so should the way we treat patients. We know so much more now than we did in the past, and it is more important than ever to stay up to date. The more we learn, the better treatments we can offer.”
He attends workshops and classes to stay current with the latest research and techniques.
They are applying principles of continuous knowledge enhancement and superior patient care. They offer alternative fluoride-free toothpastes and products for those who prefer them. The practice also provides metal-free restorative options to meet the needs and preferences of their patients.
Every day in the office brings a new set of challenges but also moments of joy.
“Some of my favorite moments in dentistry are seeing the relief and joy on a patient’s face when you are able to not only address but also fix a patient’s problem,” he said.
“The most rewarding part of being a dentist for me is changing people’s lives by identifying problems and solving them. Dentistry involves a lot of problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions and think outside the box when needed.”
Each interaction reminds him of the power of dentistry — an art that goes beyond fixing teeth to truly changing lives.
As he contemplates the future, Tindall sees a digital landscape transforming the field of dentistry.
“Regarding systemic health, I think we will see more research linking things in the mouth to the rest of the body,” he said. “This could include anything from changes in dental materials and treatment techniques to even changes in ingredients in toothpaste.”
His long-term goal as a dentist is to continue to improve every year, maintain a very high level of treatment, and provide exceptional dental care to the community. He also hopes to instill good oral hygiene habits in the younger generation by engaging in education in schools and with his patients.
“It is very important to engage with the younger population and youth to establish good oral hygiene habits early.”
Tindall’s story comes full circle in Winchester, where he’s joined a practice that feels like home and embraces the latest in dental care. From his calm presence with patients to his relentless drive for learning, he brings passion and expertise to the community he loves. Dentistry, for Tindall, is a way to elevate the community’s overall health and make a real difference in their lives.
He’s excited to keep growing with his team, sharing what he learns, and inspiring young people to build healthy oral habits early on. At Winchester Family Dentistry, it’s all about staying connected to the community and helping each person leave with a happier smile and a healthier life. GN
