Dr. Courtney LaHatte Blankenship’s journey in dentistry began 15 years ago. A self-proclaimed nerd, she spent her first college spring break at a dental conference in Atlanta. While attending lectures, she was introduced to the critical connection between oral health and overall health, sparking her passion for treating patients as whole individuals rather than focusing solely on their teeth.

Dr. Blankenship earned her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 2020. Her love for learning was inspired early on by her parents, both retired educators. Growing up in Duluth, Georgia, as the youngest of four sisters (her poor dad!), gave her the grit, empathy and adaptability she prides herself in today. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Georgia College & State University in 2013. Before attending dental school, she worked as a dental assistant, where she gained a deep appreciation for the teamwork essential to a successful practice. Her mentor, a humble dentist who built meaningful relationships with his patients, continues to influence her approach to care.

Dr. Blankenship has also participated in several dental mission trips to Haiti, which brought her great joy and fulfillment. She knows being a dentist is a gift. She believes what we are is God’s gift to us, but who we become is our gift to God. She remains passionate about educating patients to truly understand their oral health, creating an environment of comfort and collaboration to achieve exceptional smiles together.

Dr. Blankenship and her husband met at GCSU before he went on to graduate from Georgia Tech. After living in Texas and Kentucky, they settled in East Tennessee in 2019 when her husband began working for Eastman Chemical. They love the area, which they describe as a little slice of heaven, and the stunning Appalachian region has deepened their love of hiking and camping. In 2022, they welcomed their son and now enjoy sharing their mountain adventures as a family.

Faith and family are central to Dr. Blankenship’s life. She and her husband are active members of Christ Fellowship Church, where they enjoy serving in the nursery.

Dr. Blankenship values the importance of lifelong learning. Dr. Blankenship obtained certifications in Botox and fillers through Medical Aesthetics. She obtained certifications in oral tie release through Tie Tongue-Tied Academy with Dr. Richard Baxter. This opened her eyes to the value of laser dentistry. These connections led her to Dr. Rice.

In January 2024, Dr. Blankenship joined Dr. Janet Rice’s practice, where she values the personalized, patient-centered care established by Dr. Rice and her team. She has gained hands-on experience with Dr. Rice in advanced laser treatments. Dr. Blankenship has attended several seminars at the Dentsply Sirona headquarters to further her training in CERAC crowns to offer same-day crown and bridge treatments.  She looks forward to continuing these services and upholding the high standards of care that Dr. Rice established, while furthering her own knowledge to provide the best possible care for their patients. She is honored to contribute to Dr. Rice’s legacy.