PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICK HEAGNEY

ALL SMILES

Dr. Bahar Nia, founder and clinical director of Buckhead Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, talks about her family legacy as a celebrated dentist and philanthropist.

Modern-day tooth fairy. Influential philanthropist. Devoted mother.

These are just a few of the roles of Dr. Bahar Nia, one of Atlanta’s most revered cosmetic dentists. As the founder and clinical director of Buckhead Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, she has built a dedicated following of celebrity and noncelebrity clientele that includes former Atlanta Hawks player Dominique Wilkins. Known for the high quality of care and attentiveness to every detail of the dental experience, her practice gives patients a full sensory experience from the moment they walk through the door with a custom scent and seamless blend of upscale, accessible and calming design aesthetics.“Everything in our office is centered around comfort and executed with a central goal of creating a luxe, soothing, nondental feel,” says Nia of the comprehensive practice, which offers its patients a wide range of leading dental treatments, state-of-the-art technology and access to top specialists. “When a patient enters this environment, I hope they can see and feel that no detail was spared.”

Dr. Bahar Nia PHOTOGRAPHED BY PATRICK HEAGNEY

A native Iranian whose earliest memories are of her father’s dental practice, dentistry was the fashion-forward Nia’s destiny. “From the time I was 4 years old, I would visit my dad and see him in action,” she recalls. “I knew by the time I was in high school that dentistry was my calling and I would follow in his legacy.”

A graduate of The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, she later attended a postdoctoral residency in Houston, where she collaborated with MD Anderson Cancer Center and became more well-rounded in the diagnosis of oral, head and neck oncology. In 2008, Nia and her husband—a former college classmate and fellow dentist—decided to put down permanent roots in Atlanta, where she dedicated her time and expertise to servicing pockets of needy areas around metro Atlanta, while also growing her family.

After taking time off in 2015 to spend time with her young children, daughters Leah and Lily, Nia followed in her father’s footsteps and opened the doors to Buckhead Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in 2018.

“It was a natural step for me to build something that resonated with me and embodied the fit and finish I thought my patients deserved,” says Nia of the centrally located office on Pharr Road. “When I was ready to return to my passion, I had to make sure that as a mom of young children I could balance practicing dentistry and still have a healthy work-life balance,” says the decorated dentist, who credits regular massages at The St. Regis Atlanta Spa and biweekly workouts with her personal trainer, Justyn Solomon, for the posture and endurance to keep up with her family as well as a booming practice.

“Dentistry is notorious for creating lower back and neck issues for clinicians because of the ergonomics of working in patients’ mouths,” explains Nia. “It is important to remain healthy with routine exercise and diet to ensure you are providing the maintenance needed for these body parts.”

Like her parents, Nia is also an active philanthropist and is active in local causes ranging from Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta to Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates. Next year, the brunette beauty will participate in Dancing Stars of Atlanta to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Having the ability to give dentistry to people in need, just like my father has done for 40 ongoing years, is such a blessing. There is so much more joy in giving than receiving and I’m proud to continue in my parents’ philanthropic footsteps,” says the charitable Atlantan. “My hope is that I can lead by example for my girls so that one day they might continue the family legacy and pay their successes forward.” 316 Pharr Road, buckheaddentistry.com