Meet Dr. Tom and team

Tom Atkinson, DMD, MS

Dr. Tom Atkinson is a native of Greenville, SC and has practiced orthodontics here since 1990. He started practice in the same office with his father (the first pediatric dentist in South Carolina) and patients started call him Dr. Tom— they have ever since. He now treats many students of the very schools he attended years ago in Greenville: Beck Academy, J.L. Mann High School, and Furman University. His grown children Trey and Katie, are both graduates of Furman University and have diverse careers. Dr. Tom’s wife, Karen, works for Clemson University and also has two grown children. Dr. Tom’s greatest reward in practice is the positive impact he makes for his patients which lasts their entire lifetime.

In addition to creating beautiful smiles Dr. Tom is also a craftsman and musician. His passion since the early 2000’s has been woodworking— creating one-of-a-kind pieces of heirloom quality furniture, repairing antiques, or crafting something unique for his home. He also plays electric bass guitar, something he has done since childhood, playing in several bands and performing for many church functions. Dr. Tom has also been involved in his church, serving as a deacon along with other leadership roles in his church.

After leaving Furman in 1983 he earned his doctorate in dentistry in 1987 from the Medical University of South Carolina, College of Dental Medicine (Charleston, SC) where he was awarded 4 prestigious honors:

International College of Dentists: Outstanding Achievement
Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics: Outstanding Achievement
The Quintessence Award for Academic Achievement
American Association of Endodontists: Certificate of Merit

In 1990, Dr. Atkinson earned his Masters of Science in Orthodontics from Washington University (St. Louis, MO). He maintains membership in the American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, and Southern Association of Orthodontists. He continues his education constantly, studying with the world leaders in orthodontics, various MasterMind groups, the Dawson Study Group locally, and various other associations. Dr. Tom is constantly teaching within his profession and regularly writes articles to educate fellow dentists professionals about orthodontics.

 

 

Kristie: Lead Orthodontic Assistant

Kristie grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and lived there for about 30 years where she earned her degree as a Certified Dental Assistant from Nashville Technical College in 1994. Kristie and her husband Mark have a blended family of four adult children, two daughters and two sons, along with two grandsons and one granddaughter. In addition to spending time with her precious grandbabies, Kristie’s loves spending time in the mountains and counts both fall and summer as her favorite seasons.  

Fun Fact:  Kristie grew up spending Sundays at the airport with her grandfather watching the planes land and she would love to someday take flying lessons. Also, do not ask Kristie to sing country music! 

 

Riley: Appointment Coordinator

Riley is a Greenville, SC native and graduated from Erksine College in 2020 with a BS in Business Administration. Her husband, Dawson, is a private pilot and welder and they welcomed a beautiful daughter named Winsley in March 2022. She is the youngest of three siblings, Hunter and Landi. In addition to spending time with her family, Riley love crafting, baking, the Atlanta Braves and Georgia football.

Riley joined the team here at Dr. Tom’s in November 2022.

Fun Fact: In her free time she does wedding hair and makeup. Also, Riley is responsible for the majority of the holiday decorations you see when you come to visit!

Haylee: Clinical Assistant

Haylee grew up locally and graduated from Liberty High School in 2021. After graduation, she attended Capstone for Dental Assisting and graduated in 2023. Haylee competed in gymnastics for 14 years before retiring. Haylee, her son, Ziggi, and little sister, Mya, have three adorable dogs: Sandy Mae, Beans and Penelope.

Haylee joined Dr. Tom’s in May 2023.

Fun Fact: Haylee is quite proficient on a one wheel, a motorized skateboard. Also, she and Riley are now besties and can often be found together on the weekend with their kiddos at Hobby Lobby!

Kelley: Financial Coordinator

Kelley is a Greenville native, having attended Hillcrest High and Greenville Tech and currently lives in Simpsonville. Her husband Bruce and she have 4 children along with 13 marvelous (and busy) grandchildren. Kelley came to work with Dr. Tom in 2013 after having been the Office Manager for an Internal Medicine group for 12 years and involved with medical billing for about 5 years before that.

She loves spending my time at the lake with family, working in my flowerbeds at home, and babysitting my grandchildren.”

Fun Fact: Kelley used to lift weights and compete in powerlifting matches.

 

Cathy: Treatment Coordinator

Cathy was born in Winnipeg, Canada and raised outside of Philadelphia however, she came to Greenville in 2022 after living in Las Vegas for eleven years. People often ask how living in Vegas was and to that she would say “amazing!”.  Her husband, Marco, teenage daughter, Alex, and Cathy love to travel together and are known for throwing some killer board game nights with friends.   

Cathy have been the Treatment Coordinator for Dr. Tom since March 2023.

Fun Fact: She is a die-hard Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey fan and spent two years playing right wing on all women’s hockey team called the Fury. On her bucket list is to visit every NHL Stadium (preferably to cheer on the Knights!).