Dr. Ross Penland grew up in Simpsonville, South Carolina where he played football and was on the State Champion Baseball team at Mauldin High school. He attended Lenoir-Rhyne College (now a University!) on a football scholarship where he was a tight end. He majored in Biology and minored in the Classics. Dr. Penland fell in love with his future wife and Hickory during his undergraduate studies. After graduation, Dr. Penland studied at the Medical University of South Carolina where he earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine after 4 years.

During his general dentistry studies he realized that treating children was his calling. Dr. Penland stayed at the Medical University of South Carolina for another 2 years and received and advanced certificate of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Penland served as Chief Resident during his last year.

After receiving his Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Penland and his family moved back to Hickory North Carolina and purchased Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry from Dr. Waldron.

Since opening his practice, Dr. Penland has passed the oral and written exams necessary to become a board certified pediatric dentist. Dr. Penland continues his education through memberships to dental associations including the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the SE Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the North Carolina Dental Society and the Society for Pediatric Sedation. Dr. Penland volunteers one day a month at a local free dental clinic servicing the underprivileged.

Dr. Penland and his wife have now made Hickory their home. They’re raising two girls and a son. When not at his dental office, Dr. Penland is chasing his children, training bird dogs and small-scale farming at their home.