Dakota Dunes Dentist Expands Business:

After eight years, Dr. Tom Holland decided it was time to expand his local dental practice to meet the needs of the community.

With an additional 1000 square feet of work space, and the impending arrival of a new associate, Holland Dental in Dakota Dunes will be able to assist even more patients in the very near future.

"We have put in two new ops, a private office and a consultation room," Holland explained.

The business is also planning a parking lot expansion to facilitate the increased flow of customers.

Holland expects to add a business partner before the holidays. The new dentist will help grow the family dentistry practice that moved to the Dunes less than a decade ago. Prior to the practice at the Dunes, Holland Dental serviced Chamberlain, SD for 18 years.

"We are in the process of looking for an associate. I've had some dental students show some interest," Holland mentioned of the new position.

Range of Services Offered
Together the two will continue to offer Siouxlanders dental care ranging from check-ups to cosmetic dentistry. The key to great oral health, according to Holland, is taking care of your teeth on a routine basis, before there are issues.

"We're a preventative oriented practice," Holland explained. "We try to convince people to take care of their teeth."

Holland admits the field of dentistry is ever changing, and the best way to keep current is by always learning new techniques.

"We try to stay as close as we can to the cutting edge. We go to a lot of continuing education courses," Holland explained.

The dental office offers cosmetic dentistry such as teeth whitening, veneers and white fillings. But, check-ups, extractions, crowns and dentures are also on the list for this well-rounded family dentistry business.

"We see everybody from small children to grandma and grandpa," Holland explained.

Since Holland offers his services to a wide range of people, he tries to make it easy to set up an appointment.

"We start seeing patients at 6:30am everyday. A lot of people love that," Holland explained of his facility. "We try to make it convenient for people."

The local business currently employs 3 full-time dental hygienists, 4 full-time dental assistants, 1 part-time dental assistant and 3 full-time business office staff.

The Road to the Dunes
With his Wife's father as a role model, and dentist, this Creighton University graduate took a short detour before starting his dental practice in Chamberlain, SD.

Holland completed his undergraduate degree in History Education at the University of South Dakota. During his time at USD, athletics found a way to his heart, which isn't surprising when you've played football with South Dakota Sports Hall of Famer Joe 'Smokey Joe' Salem.

After attaining his BA in Vermillion, Holland traveled to Iowa to teach at Battle Creek. There he also served as the head football coach, assistant basketball coach and head track coach. Eventually, Holland spent two years at Black Hills State University in Spearfish as a defensive line coach.

The decision to attend Creighton University for Dental School led Holland to his career. After graduation, he and his wife Margaret chose to open a dental practice and raise their family in Chamberlain, SD. After 18 years, the Holland family moved to Dakota Dunes.

"There's something about a small community. We didn't have to lock our doors," Holland mentioned about Chamberlain. "Our kids could walk to the swimming pool, walk to church, walk to the theater. And everybody knew where everybody was. It was just a great place to raise your kids. And believe it or not, Dakota Dunes is kind of like that too. It's got that small town atmosphere, friendliness and comradery. And, that's what I was used to."

Upon their relocation, Margaret took a job with Dakota Valley High School, and completed her Masters Degree in Pathology at USD. Now, she works with the American Education Agency in Sioux City as a speech pathologist.

Two of the four Holland children, Meg and Joe, still live locally. Anne has relocated to Phoenix to work in healthcare, while Katie headed to the Northwest for a marketing position with St. Vincent's Hospital in Boston.

Time for Sports
Now that the children are grown, Holland spends his free-time supporting activities at Creighton and USD. On the weekends, you can find him cheering on the 'Yotes.

"We spend a lot of time in Vermillion attending athletic events," Holland said.

Since he first stepped foot on the USD campus, Holland has been a big supporter of the university. He currently serves on the USD Alumni Advisory Board, the Athletic Board of Control and the Howling Pack.

"I've always enjoyed athletics. I've always enjoyed the University of South Dakota. I thought USD was a very fine institution of higher learning."

***This article was originally published in the North Sioux City Dakota Dunes Times by Sedgwick Publishing.***