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After nearly 12 years as a pediatric dentist- and nine years as the owner of Homegrown Pediatric Dentistry in Jonesboro- Dr. Christina McKellar just broke ground on a second practice, Shine Pediatric Dentistry, set to open in south Peachtree City in early 2026.

Dr. Christina earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Florida before completing dental school at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale. Following dental school she became board certified and did a two year pediatric residency in Tuscon, Arizona. She has now resided in Peachtree City for the last eight years with her seven children and husband, Brandt Barlow. During that time, she also opened her first practice, Homegrown Pediatric Dentistry, which will continue operating alongside her new practice. 

The decision to expand to another practice in Peachtree City was easy for Dr. Christina- who is excited to pursue this new project given her love for the area she is glad to call her home.

“I love the community. I feel that everybody takes care of each other, and there is a sense of camaraderie that both the children and parents enjoy,” Dr. Christina said. “It feels like family when you live here, and that’s how I want my practice to be also.”

Shine Pediatric Dentistry is being designed with both children and parents in mind. Children will have access to TVs and headsets during their appointments, and laughing gas will be an option to help them feel more at ease during procedures. As for the parents, there will be comfortable areas where the parent can work while the child is being seen, as well as seating in the back if the parent wishes to sit in on the appointment.

Dr. Christina also plans to set Shine Pediatric Dentistry apart from more traditional pediatric dentists by using only white crowns for fillings as opposed to silver, aiming for a natural and aesthetic result. Additionally, she uses election numbing- an advancing method that provides for painless numbing when needed. 

The new practice will be located at 100 Gates Entry, off Highway 54 and in front of the Gates subdivision. The building- constructed by SouthTree Commercial- will span roughly 12,000 square feet and feature three similarly designed spaces. Tyler Hendrix, project manager at SouthTree Commercial, shared his excitement for the project, acknowledging its benefits to the community.

“It’s going to have a lot of street value for the community,” said Hendrix.

Leonardo McClarty, President and CEO of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, also sees the project as a welcome addition to the area.

“It’s an entrepreneur living the dream of business ownership, and it’s also creating jobs,” said McClarty. “It also contributes to the local tax base.”

Appointments at Shine Pediatric Dentistry are expected to become available at the beginning of 2026.