Meet Dr. James Robert Oliver Jr. aka “Robbie”
Dr. Oliver is a Richmond native!! Born in the beautiful countryside of Amelia, Virginia where he was instilled with a loving nature and the importance of hard work. During his younger years, he moved with his family to Midlothian and then Henrico County, where he graduated from Collegiate in 2007.
From there he moved to Farmville, Virginia attending the historic Hampden-Sydney College, graduating with honors in 2011. After graduating, he worked for Pharmaceutical Product Development in Richmond for two years until his persistence paid off with an invitation to dental school in 2013.
He received his dental training at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, established in 1888. Ranked #13 in the Nation for dental schools, above our local VCU at #23. The University of Minnesota is known for producing leaders and innovators in the healthcare industry, including the invention of the electronic toothbrush!! (https://dental-colleges.com/)
During his four years in Minnesota, he had the unique privilege of living and studying dentistry abroad in Denmark for five months. Dr. Oliver also participated in a two-week mission trip in Guatemala educating and providing dentistry to those who are less fortunate. These worldly experiences widened his general scope of dentistry, which makes him all the more empathetic and compassionate to his patients.
He graduated with his Doctoral of Dental Surgery degree in 2017 from the University of Minnesota before returning to his home state of Virginia. Since his graduation, Dr. Oliver has worked as a general dentist throughout Central Virginia, from Charlottesville to Williamsburg, before settling in the West End of Richmond with the purchase of late Dr. William Covington’s practice 6 months before COVID.
Continuing Education
Dr. Oliver recognizes that as a leader in the community & in the ever-changing healthcare field, it’s important to stay on top of the latest techniques, materials, and sciences. He has personally invested tens of thousands of dollars in dental education for himself and the team…hence our name…EVOLVE!!!
Just a year into the practice, Dr. Oliver was invited to the American Society Dental Aesthetics annual conference as a Smigel Scholarship recipient in 2018. Since then, Dr. Oliver has attended the ASDA aesthetic dental conference with the Nation’s Leading Dentists’ every year besides COVID. During which time he has been accepted in 2024 as a Member of ASDA, as well as a Key Opinion Leader (KOL) of the conference.
“The American Society for Dental Aesthetics was established forty years ago by the “Father of Aesthetic Dentistry,” Dr. Irwin Smigel, and was the first aesthetic dental society of its kind. Together, we are cosmetic dentists who are committed to excellence in our field through continuing education. For decades, we have facilitated the exchange of best practices and innovations in cosmetic and restorative dentistry through our engaging learning events.” (http://www.asdatoday.com/)
“In marketing, KOL stands for Key Opinion Leader. It refers to individuals who have established expertise and influence within a specific field or industry, and whose opinions are highly respected and trusted by their audience. They are seen as authorities and thought leaders, often with a significant and engaged following.”
Through his ASDA connections, Dr. Oliver was invited to participate in the Young Dentist’s program with Dr. David Hornbrook. Dr. Hornbrook is known as a world-renowned lecturer and educator. Dr. Hornbrook has to lead the cosmetic dental industry for nearly two decades. Dr. Hornbrook is one of only 62 Fellows of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry — the highest recognition among the most prestigious aesthetic dentists in the nation. Dr. Hornbrook has been ranked by his peers as one of the world’s top 3 cosmetic dentists, and as the area’s top dentist in another peer survey by San Diego Magazine. (https://www.hornbrook.com/)
He has attended the “Brumm and Strupp” course on complex restorative dentistry to provide a solution to save teeth where other dentists fail to do so.
For those cases where traditional dentistry is no longer an option, Dr. Oliver has extensive training in implant dentistry. He has participated in a small study club with our own Dr. Kanyon Keeney at Virginia Oral and Facial Surgery as well as the National Renowned Engel Implant Institute in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Dr. Oliver is not a specialist** but has a passion for quality rehabilitative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and implant dentistry.
Leadership & Service
Dr. Oliver has a history of service and leadership, as demonstrated in his work with Missions of Mercy projects, Give Kids a Smile, Special Olympics, Donated Dental Services, and multiple free community clinics that he has volunteered his time and talents for around the Commonwealth. He also served as president of both his professional dental fraternity and the school’s sports dentistry club. In dental school, Dr. Oliver was honored for his service with the Delta Sigma Delta Professional Dental Fraternity Outstanding Member of the Year award in 2017. And today, he continues to be engaged and dedicated to the dental and healthcare industry with an ongoing commitment to life-long learning and development.
Membership
- American Dental Association
- Virginia Dental Association
- Richmond Dental Society
- American Society for Dental Aesthetics
- Blue Ridge Mountain Therapy Dogs of Virginia, Member, and Trainer
Family & Community
When Dr. Oliver isn’t practicing dentistry, you can find him spending time with family, friends and his labs Ashby, Ocho and Lily. Chattam was our therapy dog trained to decrease dental anxiety and enhance the dental experience for his patients, after having to put him down from cancer in January 2020 he began training Ashby to take his place as Evolve’s next therapy dog. Then in 2022 her son and daughter, Ocho and Lily, joined the party!
Dr. Oliver also loves the outdoors and can be found from the beach to the mountains enjoying hikes, fishing, surfing, snowboarding, biking, etc.
”I’ve always considered Richmond “home” and thrilled to be back, doing what I love best! I look forward to getting to each of you personally and professionally!”
-James Oliver, DDS
Dr. Oliver purchased Dr. Bill Covington’s practice 6 months before COVID, and opened Evolve on September 1st, 2019.
Dr. Oliver purchased Dr. Fred Knaysi’s West End location after he passed during the Summer of 2022, and consolidated the two practices into Fred’s location near Freeman High School.
Dr. Oliver purchased the business from Dr. Steve Spainhour upon his retirement in November, 2024 and continues to welcome his patients into our dental family.
Dr. Oliver with the OG therapy dog that started it all…Chattam. The father and grandfather of our current therapy dogs. We lost Chattam in January, 2020 to Mast Cell Cancer.