Dr Janet Hatchet Rice

 

Dr. Janet Rice's father, Dr. Ed Hatcher, grew up on a small farm off of Weaver Pike, the 6th generation Hatcher to live in Sullivan County and a descendant of Frederick Weaver, Revolutionary War hero. However, he and Janet's Mother raised their three daughters in the city of Bristol. Now, Janet lives in Sullivan County and works in the city. She has the best of both worlds! Her dental office, Rice Dental Arts, is only one block from State Street and the Bristol sign. In fact, you can see that iconic sign from the office lobby. She loves going to work in the morning, and loves being home at night. It is such a contrast, but is so perfect in her eyes.

 

Dr. Rice believes in Bristol and attends functions at the Paramount with her husband, John. The pair also patron eateries in downtown Bristol, even though Janet knows her husband's cooking could rival any meal out. Janet and John get excited about attending Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion and the PUSH! Film Festival, because seeing downtown Bristol so vibrant with new folks and happening events brings out their civic pride. Bristol is a great place and she and her husband love to hang out there.

 

Janet believes that true happiness is found in balance. She has made it a priority to create a life in balance. Dr. Rice likes her work, but likes to strike balance by taking time to enjoy the out-doors. About 18 years ago, they bought 25 acres, a house, and a small barn. At first Janet and John were going to build a big home, and then they got involved with raising horses and children. It was a great life for their kids, they all learned to ride and learned the lessons of taking care of animals and loving animals. It was hard work, but she and John believe that the horses taught them so much. Particularly the foals. Nine foals were born on the farm. Then, they transitioned to gardening and Janet taught herself how to can vegetables and make pickles. Later, she learned to make jams and jellies from the wild growing raspberries and blackberries.

 

It was empty nest time but Janet and John kept going. They added on to the house, and Janet could not believe that she had lived without a dishwasher or a second bathroom for 13 years!  After Janet and her husband updated their home, they started planting more apple trees with the addition of a neighboring farm and home. They lovingly remodeled that home, which was part of an old homestead with multiple outbuildings, two tobacco barns, a tool shed, smokehouse, and even an outhouse. Just recently, the couple listed the completed project on Airbnb as the Holston Homestead. But Janet and John haven't stopped there. Last Summer, Janet and her husband attended courses on forest farming.

 

They learned about identifying, collecting, and drying medicinal herbs. Janet has always had an interest in medicinal herbs and it was only by accident that she realized many of them were growing right there on the now 130 acres.

After the horses, Janet started walking the riding trails with her border collies, and she could not help but notice the variety of plants. She was pleased to learn that Bloodroot, Boneset, Ironweed, Yarrow, and many more medicinal herbs grow all along the trails and streams on her property. John is learning with her, and they would like to grow herbs for sale, but for now only grow for personal use. Janet likes to make tinctures and teas from the dried herbs. She feels connected to the land and feels that her destiny is spreading the word about “the people’s medicine.”

 

“Medicinal herbs are my heritage and yours,” Janet explains. “This medicine is free for the picking. I firmly believe that “we the people” must take control of our health. In fact, we can no longer rely on the government to take care of us. Nor should we.”

 

Janet plans to learn as much as possible about the ancient art of herbal healing.

 

Dr. Rice loves to learn new ideas and strives to incorporate new dental techniques on a continuing basis, as well. Regardless of whether insurance companies will pay for it. Janet has not used mercury-containing silver fillings for over 20 years. Although, the Food and Drug Administration will not pull it off the market and still claims it to be safe. Instead, it is removed daily and allowed to be flushed down the drain. Janet is deeply saddened by these practices, but explains that she and many other dentists have been using heavy metal traps. She hopes that soon this will be mandatory for all dental offices. Janet loves her city and does not want to see more pollution. She feels there has been too much history of industries coming, polluting, and then leaving.

 

Janet also believes that her patients should receive the same degree of modern dental care as New York City or L.A. She has been using digital x-rays for 10 years, and they reduce radiation significantly and do away with harmful chemicals used in processing film that is then dumped into the sink and goes into the water system once again. Janet's office has just purchased a 3D digital dental scanning device that allows more precision, safety, and confidence in placing and restoring implants. She incorporated a milling machine that produces metal-free crowns four years ago, and now it will be able to use these scans to design the implant crown before the implant is placed for the best possible outcome! This is an exciting time for dentistry and Janet can not wait to share the journey with her patients. As much as Janet loves talking about dentistry, she is thrilled to share the other half of her life as well, her Appalachian woman life.

Photography by: Tina Honeycutt Helbert)