SHALLOWFORD FAMILY DENTAL GROUP - Key Persons
Dr. Charles V. Ankar is a Chattanooga native and has been practicing at Shallowford Family Dental Group since July 2002.
He graduated from Notre Dame High School and then received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. His dental training was completed at the University of Tennessee, Memphis.
"I feel my greatest asset is my relationship with my patients. I truly make an effort to treat each person like family," says Dr. Ankar. When he is not at his practice, Dr. Ankar spends time at the Orange Grove Rehabilitation Center providing dental care to mentally and physically challenged patients.
He is a member of the American Dental Association, Tennessee Dental Association and the local Chattanooga Area Dental Society.
Dr. Ankar enjoys sporting events and loves spending time with his wife Misa, daughter Arianna, and son Charley.
Dr. Dan Edwards is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and a 1999 graduate of Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Arts in History. During college, he studied history and culture abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia and was a member of the GVSU Laker Marching Band.
After a time in the work force, Dr. Edwards made a career change, attending UTC and then completed his dental training at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis. Dr. Edwards was a recipient of the Harold Cloogman Scholarship three years in a row for academic excellence.
He is very excited about joining Shallowford Family Dental Group and serving his patients with quality care. "Shallowford Family Dental Group with its dentists and staff have an excellent reputation in the community. I am excited to join this great group of family-oriented dentists."
Dr. Edwards enjoys spending time with his wife, Rachel, a local real estate attorney and Chattanooga native, and their daughter, Avery, and twin boys, Ben and Mason.
Dr. J. David Lewis is a native of Chattanooga and graduated from East Ridge High School in 1972. He then graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Biology and Chemistry double major from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1976. He completed his dental training at the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis in 1981; returning to Chattanooga to begin practicing dentistry.
"At Shallowford Family Dental Group, we always keep up with the latest technology," says Dr. Lewis. "We follow lots of studies and research, which is a great benefit to our patients as we continually study our craft and make improvements. We are always learning better science and methods for dentistry."
Dr. Lewis is an avid fan of University of Tennessee sports and is always happy when his schedule allows for a round of golf. He is an animal lover with three cats at his home. He is involved in the Chattanooga Area Humane Society and served for five years with the Child Advocacy Center in Catoosa County.
Dr. Lewis was recently awarded Best Dentist in the Chattanooga People's Choice Awards. He is a member of the Academy of Operative Dentistry.
This year, Dr. Lewis is celebrating more than 33 years of marriage with his wife, Linda.
Dr. Rick Ratchford is a Chattanooga native and a graduate of East Ridge High School. He attended undergraduate school at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and earned his dental degree from the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry in Memphis. During his senior year he received a top clinician award from his instructors.
Dr. Ratchford was in solo practice for over 30 years before joining Shallowford Family Dental Group. "I still love dentistry and interacting with my patients. They are all like family to me and I try to provide them with the best possible treatment available! With SFDG's reputation, technology, and wonderful staff, I knew I had found the right fit for me and my patients!"
Dr. Ratchford loves playing golf, boating, and hunting. "I still manage to get a round of golf in whenever I can, but most of my time is now spent with my wife (Sheree), my two daughters (and spouses), and watching my grandchildren play sports! Dr. Ratchford and his wife are long time members of Brainerd Baptist Church.
Dr. Tom Gardenhire is a Chattanooga native and graduated from East Ridge High School in 1974. He then graduated with honors from UTC with a BS in Biology. During college, Tom was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. It is notable that all three doctors at Shallowford Family Dental Group were members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity during their college years.
Tom completed his dental training at the University of Tennessee Dental School in Memphis in 1982. During his senior year, Tom won the anesthesiology award. He has been practicing dentistry in Chattanooga since 1982.
Tom founded Shallowford Family Dental Group in 2002 with a vision for excellence in dentistry practiced by a group of doctors in the same office. "I enjoy the variety of personalities working together in our practice," says Tom. "It's exciting to see different temperaments, talents and convictions working toward a common goal of caring for people. We have a true family atmosphere among the staff and patients."
Laura moved from Dayton, Ohio to Chattanooga in 2015 where she practiced as a hygienist since 2011. She attended Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) where she earned degrees in Accounting, Marketing and Spanish. Her path to dental hygiene was slightly non-traditional. After working as an auditor for a large accounting firm, she felt she needed to pursue her childhood dreams of working in the dental field and returned to school to become a dental hygienist. Laura loves working as a hygienist and enjoys building relationships with her patients and helping them to achieve their oral health goals. In her spare time . . she enjoys spending time with her husband, Don, and their children. She also enjoys traveling, time with friends, cooking, decorating her house and reading.
Laura is a lifetime residence of Chattanooga and has been practicing dental hygiene since 2005. She graduated from Chattanooga State Technical Community College and is a member of the Sigma Phi Alpha dental hygiene honor society.