My role as an orthodontist is to diagnose, treatment plan, educate, and lead. It takes carrying out all of these with compassion, confidence, and humility. As a former faculty member at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, I understand the value of educating. I can create the most optimal treatment plan, but it will only succeed if I also educate the person on why and how it will help them. Every person is different and has unique dental, medical, physical, emotional, and lifestyle reasons for needing our help. My job is to put all of the pieces together and comprehensively take care of each patient as if they were my own family.
I am passionate about the artistic side of the orthodontic profession. It is an art to communicate effectively with your patients and team members, it is an art to create a unique plan for every individual, it is an art to carry out this plan with your team, and it takes artistic skill to achieve optimal results.
"In such an ever-expanding and growing world, it is hard to know who you can trust. Our team is based around trust and a passion to put our patients first. Our name and our reputation speak for itself. Every one of the thousands of people whose lives we have improved in some way is another success story—one they share with their friends and family each and every time they smile.” – Dr. Fulks
Dr. Clay Fulks is your Hendersonville, Gallatin, and White House Orthodontist, and he believes in producing the highest quality orthodontic result while establishing a caring relationship with every patient. Orthodontic treatment at Smile Construction is more than braces; when coupled with relationships built in a warm and welcoming environment, it's a life-changing experience.
Dr. Fulks graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Georgia. He then furthered his education in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he graduated in the top three of his class and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Nova Southeastern University, College of Dental Medicine.
Serving as the Vice President of his class his final two years, Dr. Fulks was also honored by Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, and active in multiple research projects in both the dental and orthodontic departments. He also had an opportunity to go on a dental mission trip to Jamaica. This was a very rewarding experience, which helped instill compassion in Dr. Fulks’ practice philosophy. Dr. Fulks then completed his dental education with a three-year residency in orthodontics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, where he served as Chief Resident during his final year. At the request of the program director, Dr. Fulks remained on staff at Vanderbilt after completing his residency to help educate and train orthodontic residents.
With the belief that every profession continually evolves, Dr. Fulks understands that it is the respective members’ duty to pursue continuing education to stay up-to-date on all aspects of their profession. His ability to treat his patients is reflective of his dedication to education, experience, compassion, and desire to never stop improving.
Dr. Fulks is a member of the Tennessee Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Nashville Dental Society, the Tennessee Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. He is also the Director of the Summit Institute, an interdisciplinary dental study club founded by Dr. Gary Cohen and dedicated to optimizing dental care in Sumner County. Dr. Fulks successfully completed his board examinations and is eligible to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Dr. Fulks' wife, Jenny, also graduated from the University of Georgia, where she completed her Bachelor's degree in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia Athens Campus. After they married, Jenny moved to Florida, where Dr. Fulks was in dental school and she worked in the emergency department at Memorial Regional Medical Center. Jenny is currently volunteering for the American Red Cross and Meals on Wheels.
Dr. Fulks enjoys golf, hunting, going out on the lake, riding bikes with his kids, and spending time with his family. He and Jenny are blessed with three wonderful children: Jackson, Olivia, and Clayton, and they are members of the Hendersonville First United Methodist Church. A family of dog lovers, they currently have a Cavapoo named Georgia.
Website Powered by Sesame 24-7™