About Us
Ponderosa Smiles is a General Dentist office located in the beautiful Black Hills of Western South Dakota!
Rapid City's dental office that feels like a second home!
We will do everything possible to ensure your visit is comfortable and pain free.
Dr. Rob D. Lyons, D.D.S.
Dr. Rob Lyons was born and raised in Buffalo, South Dakota where he graduated high school in 2002. He was convinced that dentistry was his future after shadowing his local dentist throughout his senior year. He began his undergraduate studies at South Dakota State University and graduated in 2006 with a Biology/Pre Dental major and a Chemistry minor. He took a year off between undergrad and dental school to teach and coach at Harding County High School. The following year he began dental school at Creighton University in Omaha, NE and graduated in May of 2011.
Upon graduation from the renowned Creighton University School of Dentistry, Dr. Lyons was presented the Department of General Dentistry Award. This award recognized a graduating dentist that has demonstrated outstanding clinical skills and a gentle/caring professional approach to patient care. He does everything to continue this character description in his every day practice.
Dr. Lyons decided that the small town values of Western South Dakota are where his heart lies and decided to return following graduation. He has practiced dentistry in the Black Hills since 2011 and is excited to continue to serve Rapid City and the surrounding areas at Ponderosa Smiles!
Dr. Lyons and his wife Amber have one beautiful daughter, Kahlia and a strapping young son, Huxley. They are the highlight of his life and, as patients know, he talks about them constantly! When he is not practicing dentistry Dr. Rob and his family are outside enjoying all the outdoor opportunities that South Dakota has to offer including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and gardening, just to name a few.
Staff
Kimberly "Kim" Ellerton
Kimberly "Kim" Ellerton
Kimberly "Kim" Ellerton
Kim has worked in dentistry for over 16 years, most of which have been spent working with Dr. Lyons. They keep one another in check well! Most days now, she can be found hidden behind the scenes of the office keeping everything functioning. Family is everything to her and if she is not at the office, she can be found chasing her three kids in all their activities, as well as, loving all her animals on her hobby farm.
Jamie Bergan
Kimberly "Kim" Ellerton
Kimberly "Kim" Ellerton
Jamie has worked in the dental field for over 18 years and holds certification as a Registered Dental Assistant and a certification as an Orthodontic Assistant. She is dedicated to helping patients with every step of their dental visit, from making patients feel comfortable and welcome, to scheduling their appointments and processing their claims. Her favorite part about working in the dental field is getting to know the patients and building relationships with them. She has a passion for helping people and making them feel like family. In her spare time, Jamie loves spending time with family and her dog Pippa, enjoying the outdoors and gardening.
Cassidy Biers
Kimberly "Kim" Ellerton
Izabell Bartels
Dental hygiene is Cassidy's passion! Anyone who sits in her chair can tell that by how she cares for them and the way she practices dentistry . She loves hearing and learning about new happenings in her patients lives. While in her chair, you may also get the chance to hear about her husband, Travis, her son Bennett, her dog and three cats. In her free time, she enjoys working with her husband on DIY projects around their home, woodworking and spending game nights with her family.
Izabell Bartels
Izabell Bartels
Izabell Bartels
Izzy grew up here in Rapid City and attended South Dakota State University (Go Jacks!), where she graduated with a double major in human biology and microbiology. She then continued her education in Illinois at Carl Sandburg College, where she earned her associate's degree in Dental Hygiene. She cares for those in her chair like family and will bring joy to anyone who gets to hear her laugh while here. She keeps busy with her two dogs Berkeley and Winston, spending time with her family and traveling.
Caitlin Duffy
Izabell Bartels
Caitlin Duffy
Caitlin has been a dental assistant since 2013. She has a range of experience including pediatrics, surgery, and endodontics. Caitlin has strong ties to Eastern and Central South Dakota, but has always loved the Black Hills where she attended college, met her husband, started her family and has resided since 2006. Her two sons keep her busy with wrestling, soccer, basketball, golf, swimming and general horse play! Caitlin loves the West River family atmosphere of Ponderosa Smiles and being able to lend her knowledge and skills so that all patients receive the best care they deserve.
Amber Bunney
Izabell Bartels
Caitlin Duffy
Amber grew up in the Black Hills and graduated from Western Dakota Tech with her Dental Assisting degree in May 2021. She loves to learn new things about the dental field and is happy to assist in patients needs. One of her biggest strengths is making sure everyone stays organized and on time. Amber loves spending time with family and friends, especially her three boys- Braxton, Kaiden and her husband, Rylan.
Alexis Goshorn
Alexis Goshorn
Alexis Goshorn
I graduated from Western Dakota Tech in 2017 for dental assisting before deciding to go back and obtain my Bachelors of Science in dental hygiene at the University of Minnesota, where I graduated in 2023. In my free time I love to spend time outdoors with my family and 2 dogs. I also enjoy reading, cooking and doing arts and crafts when I have free time.