Michael Lavinder, DDS – Collinsville, VA
Meet Dr. Michael Lavinder
With over 40 years of experience in the dental field so far, Dr. Lavinder has plenty of clinical know-how when it comes to making a positive difference in the lives of patients. He is thrilled to now be working alongside Dr. Albert Payne, Dr. Chris Payne, and Dr. Andrew Hessler in order to provide an even greater array of services and treatment options to those in need from the greater Collinsville community. If you’d like to learn more about him, just keep reading below.
Why Did You Want to Become a Dentist?
When Dr. Lavinder first started college, he still wasn’t sure yet what he wanted to do for his career – but eventually, the healthcare field started to call to him. During his second year of study, he had the opportunity to participate in a program at the Martinsville Hospital that exposed him and other students to several different facets of healthcare. From there, he became excited by the challenge and opportunities available in dentistry specifically – and the rest is history!
Where Did You Study Dentistry?
After attending Danville Community College for a couple of years, Dr. Lavinder transferred to the Medical College of Virginia (now known as Virginia Commonwealth) as a pre-med/dental major. After completing the necessary prerequisites, he applied early to dental school and was accepted. After graduation, continuing education has been the fuel that keeps his fire burning. He maintained a membership in the Academy of General Dentistry for over 30 years and has completed roughly 900 hours of advanced training to stay current with the latest tools and techniques in dental care. He is currently a member of the American Dental Association and Virginia Dental Association.
Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?
Dr. Lavinder is married to Debbie, his high school sweetheart, and they have four sons and seven grandchildren. His family has a long history in this community – in fact, his dad and cousins have been in business in one way or another here for around 70 years!
When he isn’t busy at work, Dr. Lavinder enjoys doing lots of outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and practicing photography. He is an avid “DIY’er” and builds everything from decks to cabinets; it’s a talent that he definitely inherited from his grandfather, who constructed much of the house that he currently lives in. He’s also very active in his local church and with the Gideons International.