About Our Dental Practice

Healthy, bright smiles and happy patients are the sum of our goals. At Carolina Oaks Dental Care of Travelers Rest, you will find a dental practice where your comfort and dental health are paramount. Our focus is on prevention, as the best way to fight tooth decay is to stop it before it starts.

Oral health is a broad field of medicine, and we know each patient has unique needs and concerns. We aim to be your go-to dentist for the whole family, and we will always make sure you feel welcome and respected by all members of our professional staff.

Meet Our Dentist

Dr. Thomas Layne III D.D.S.

For Dr. Thomas Layne, our patients are like family. During his 34 years of practicing dentistry, he has been passionate and excited about nurturing self-esteem by improving smiles and restoring function to our patients’ dentition. Dr. Layne has dedicated his entire career to providing the highest level of quality and compassionate dental care to each of our patients.

He considers himself lucky to work with a team that has the unique ability to make our patients feel at ease through vibrant and caring personalities. Always ready to listen, Dr. Layne enjoys making a difference in each patient’s life by providing educational tools for prevention of dental disease, resulting in improved systemic health.

Education and continuing education

Dr. Layne, who earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at West Virginia University in 1979, is a member of numerous local and national dental organizations. He continually educates himself on the newest technology and modalities in dentistry in order to ensure that each patient receives the most current dental treatment options.

Professional affiliations

  • West Virginia Dental Association
  • Blennerhassett Dental Society
  • American Dental Association
  • Pierre Fauchard Academy
  • Fellow in Academy of General Dentistry
  • West Virginia Board of Dental Examiners, past president and ten-year member

Outside the office

Dr. Layne is married to his dental partner in practice and in life, Dr. Dawn Myers Layne. They married in 1977 while in dental school and are the proud parents of three children, Ryan, Evan, and Vaughn. Vaughn followed in her parents’ footsteps and is a fourth-year dental student at West Virginia University.

In his spare time, Dr. Layne likes to spend time with his family, which also includes his four-legged and furry children, Lucy and Lincoln (golden doodles) and Annie, a Maltese. He enjoys fishing, golfing, traveling to visit his children, and reading. For the past couple of years he has been especially fascinated and inspired by the life of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Giving back to his community is important to Dr. Layne. He has been a proud member of the Jackson County Board of Education for the past six years, and both he and Dr. Myers have been active in the support of all school activities, both academic and extracurricular. They support the 4-H and FFA programs and the Jackson County Junior Fair. Dr. Layne and Dr. Myers are also members of Ripley Main Street Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and they support the Jackson County Community Foundation.

Patient-Centered Care

We know you have many options for oral care, so we want all our patients to feel good about keeping their appointments with us. We aim to build a trusting relationship with every one of our patients, from a child’s first dental visit to every routine visit thereafter. When you meet with our caring staff, we will always explain our recommendations and take the time to make sure you are comfortable before proceeding with any treatment. At this dental practice, we want to be partners in maintaining your health, and that means keeping lines of communication open.

Please let us know if anyone in your family needs special considerations, such as is the case with dental anxiety or dental phobias. We find that taking the time to understand a patient’s prior experiences and concerns can make a big difference in building a comfortable environment for patients who need extra support.

Full Service Dentistry for the Whole Family

From the youngest member of your family to the oldest, we make sure all of our patients are treated with kindness and personalized care. Our general dentistry services include dental cleanings, fluoride gel, and sealants to keep your teeth healthy and free from cavities.

When cavities do happen, our restorative treatments, such as dental fillings and endodontic treatments, will ensure that tooth decay does not progress to the point of a toothache and on-going distress. For more advanced dental work, such as crowns, bridges, and implants, we will always make sure your restorations are made to last, so they can serve you for years to come. Your quality of life is our top priority.

For those patients whose healthy smiles are not as bright as they would like, we offer a number of cosmetic treatments that will uncover your best smile. We also provide emergency appointments, as a dental crisis can be a frightening situation. You should never have to suffer through an after-hours dental problem alone.

Relaxed Setting and a Fun Environment

We know that many people have dental anxiety or find it difficult to get to the dentist. We work with you to make your experience easy, efficient and enjoyable. In our spa-like setting, the staff is always friendly and ready to serve you. Our waiting room provides ample space and comfortable seats so every patient can feel calm and relaxed. The exam rooms are equipped with the best in dental technology. They even have TV monitors on the ceiling for you to enjoy during your exam or procedure, or to help entertain children during their dental visits.

Dental Providers for the Travelers Rest Community

We have a deep passion for two things, providing top dental care and serving our community. From our front desk to our dental hygienists and doctors, we love living and working in this beautiful town. We are each dedicated to bringing our friends and neighbors the best in comprehensive and compassionate dental care.

At Carolina Oaks Dental Care, our Travelers Rest, SC dental practice puts your smile first. Contact us today at 864-836-8416 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hamrick.