Meet Dr. Eric Gregory Hatten
I love coming to work every day. I love the drive in the morning because the area is so nice: it’s refreshing to see the mountains in the distance and all the green foliage, and to be in a great city.
Best of all, I love I get to work with so many wonderful people! Interacting with all ages, educating, chatting, and getting to know each person is rewarding. I enjoy discussing a person’s clinical issues and walking them through the different treatment options to change their smile.
Before orthodontics, I practiced dentistry for seven years. That was a wonderful experience, yet also challenging as many people do not, generally, enjoy visiting the dentist. Being in orthodontics is a complete 180-degrees from that: people want to come see me because they want to improve their life! It’s especially enjoyable to work with so many pre-teens and teenagers. They are fun to talk with and most are excited to be active in the treatment process.
Being an orthodontist is being in one of the greatest professions: I spend time with great people and help each change their life with a new smile!
~ Dr. Eric Gregory Hatten
Education and Experience
- Bachelor degree in Biological Sciences, Marshall University
- Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS), West Virginia University
- Certificate of Orthodontics, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University
As an orthodontist, Dr. Hatten finds great satisfaction out of a job well done. Seeing the final result of treatment and his patient’s happiness, while knowing where they started, is gratifying. A bonus, to him, is knowing that what he does for a patient now will benefit them for the rest of their lives.
Dr. Hatten started practicing orthodontics in January 2022. While relatively new to the specialty, his extensive experience in general dentistry gives him a solid understanding of individuals’ oral health and the long-term implications of treatment. The prospect of working with his hands every day, and to be in the healthcare field, drew him to dentistry and then the orthodontic specialty.
Continuing Education and Professional Memberships
Dr. Hatten is a Board-Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. His board certification represents his commitment to practicing a higher level of orthodontics. There is no legal requirement to become board certified; however, it is a decision made by some in the profession due to the pursuit of excellence in the specialty.
In addition to his board certification, Dr. Hatten actively pursues a range of continuing education. This allows him to stay current on the newest literature- and research-supported methods. By carefully evaluating the latest developments, he is able to sift through new technologies and methodologies and determine which are “trends” or having merit with scientific validity.
Dr. Hatten is an active member of the:
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Southern Association of Orthodontists
- Tennessee Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- Tennessee Dental Association
Personal Life and Interests
After growing up in southern West Virginia, Dr. Hatten now resides in Knoxville with his wife, Kaitlin Hatten, who is a registered nurse. The couple shares their home with Hartley, their cat. In his spare time, Dr. Hatten enjoys woodworking and cooking on a smoker.
Dr. Hatten and Kaitlin spend their weekends outside whenever possible, enjoying hiking, kayaking, biking, and fishing. If they can’t be outside, they enjoy museums and watching performing arts. And, regardless of the weather or the season, they enjoy all genres of food.
