Dentist opening satellite office at Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake's dental offerings are about to increase by one. Dr. Jim Pollard, owner of the Lynchburg office Implants of Virginia, plans to open a second office in Hardy next month.

Pollard said the office will be located in Willard Office Plaza near the intersection of Virginia 122 and Scruggs Road. He said he'll offer the same services he provides at his Lynchburg office.

"We offer a pretty wide range of services," said Pollard. "We're going to be doing most of the things that most dentists would send out to a specialist."

Specialty services include implants, complex extractions, wisdom teeth removals, endodontics, bridgework and periodontal surgery. He also offers ceramic crowns, porcelain veneers, dentures and teeth whitening.

"We'll also be doing all of the preventative services, like routine checkups, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatment for children," said Pollard. "We do everything that a normal general practitioner would do, plus a lot of other specialty items."

In addition to his regular practice, Pollard volunteers his time at the Free Clinic of Central Virginia.

"I act as a professor in conjunction with the dental school," he said. "The dental school sends down five or six dental students to work in the clinic and administer to the patients."

Pollard said he oversees, teaches and mentors the students. He occasionally does treatments if students are having trouble or want to see a demonstration.

Pollard also offers his services to low-income people living in the Lynchburg area through Donated Dental Services. The program is administered by the Virginia Dental Association, of which Pollard is a member.

"They have a list of people who can't afford dental treatment," said Pollard. "They contact us periodically and ask if we can take this patient on."

"They are really, really appreciative of what we do for them," said Pollard. "I feel good after helping them out."

Pollard has roots in the area. His grandparents moved to Bedford County in the 1700s. His family has property at the lake and Pollard watched the lake fill in and the area grow with it.

"I'm very familiar with the area," he said. "It's sort of my second home."

Pollard graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in chemistry in 1968. He earned his doctorate in dental surgery from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1972.

After college, Pollard joined the U.S. Navy, where he served as a military dentist for three years in Spain, he said. In 1975, he returned to Virginia and operated a small practice on the Eastern Shore for three years before relocating to Lynchburg.

The lake office will open next month. Hours will be all day Wednesday and Thursday. Pollard said they may extend the hours to include Friday depending on need.

For more information about Implants of Virginia, visit www.implantsofva.com.