The Spirit of Dr. Dick Barbee
Dr. Dick Barbee passed away peacefully on July 6, 2022. But his spirit lives on, and his legacy is carried by his team at New Dentistry.
Dr. Dick Barbee celebrating his 51st wedding anniversary in 2021 with his bride, Doe Barbee.
Over a 40-year dental career, Dr. Barbee earned the trust and admiration of thousands of patients. As he approached retirement, Dr. Barbee laid careful plans to ensure his beloved dental practice and team would outlive him and continue to care for patients for decades to come.
Dr. Dick Barbee inspired trust.
And for over 40 years, he helped keep Knoxville healthy.
Dr. Barbee spent a lifetime studying dentistry and nutrition with the tireless fervor of a graduate student writing a PhD thesis.
But he never lost the common touch.
He spoke plainly, and he looked for the sacred spark whenever he met a new friend, neighbor, or patient. He never introduced himself as Dr. Barbee. It was always a handshake accompanied by, “Nice to meet you… Dick Barbee.”
Dick Barbee… before he was Dr. Barbee
Dr. Barbee grew up in Oregon and Florida, but he was a Tennessean.
He went to the University of Tennessee and got married in Memphis. He raised six children, all born in Knoxville.
He opened his dental practice in Knoxville in 1982, at the same location where it stands today.
7828 Kingston Pike.
He started practicing dentistry there not long after West Town Mall opened, but long before Trader Joe’s became a neighbor.
And at that office, he spent thousands of hours with thousands of patients. Over the years, countless patients became his friends.
Some patients scheduled their first appointment with Dr. Barbee after meeting him at church or a little league game.Some heard about him from a friend or neighbor.Some met his wife, Doe. And that was all it took. Five minutes with Doe Barbee is enough to convince anyone they should spend more time with the people she loves.
Over time, Dick earned the respect of an entire community.
A few anecdotes:
Best dentist I’ve ever experienced!
My whole family has been going to Dr.Barbee for over 25 years. He goes beyond the average dental care by incorporating the latest research on how good dental care affects your overall health and well being!
By far the best experience I have ever had at the dentist. The entire staff is friendly.
Dr. Barbee treats me as though I am the only patient in the building. He is very thorough, patient, kind, and knowledgeable.
Hundreds of quotes like this from hundreds of patients. All the stars. Every time.
Dr. Barbee inspired trust in his team too.
Americans spend an average of 4 years at a job. The average tenure of team members at Dr. Barbee’s practice is 15 years.
After four decades of leading the team at New Dentistry, Dr. Barbee retired for health reasons in early 2022.
And then, on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 6, Dr. Barbee passed away peacefully.
Surrounded by people who loved him dearly.
Dr. Barbee loved his patients, and he loved his colleagues.
New Dentistry was his life’s work.
Before he died, he laid a careful plan for New Dentistry’s next chapter.
He helped recruit an exceptional and experienced dentist, Dr. Barry Mercer, who came all the way to Knoxville from California.
Then he chose another young dentist, Dr. Michael Luethke, to be his long-term successor and leader of New Dentistry’s next chapter.
And he made sure patients would continue to see the same familiar faces they knew and loved… Jo Anne Busler, Misty Ford, Debra Hazelwood, Katie Allen, Janice Spainhower, Jessica Rickman.
Dr. Barbee won’t be seeing patients anymore at 7828 Kingston Pike. But the team at New Dentistry isn’t going anywhere.
Dr. Dick Barbee’s spirit is still there. His presence is always felt.
And he’ll continue to guide the practice’s values and culture for decades to come.
