Business of the Month January 2025: White Smiles Pediatric Dentistry

Kennedy Hansen • February 26, 2025

White Smiles Pediatric Dentistry - January 2025 Business of the Month


White Smiles Pediatric Dentistry has been serving the families of the Uintah Basin for 15 years. Why  should you choose a pediatric dentist? They spend an additional two years in specialty training beyond dental school focusing solely on the oral healthcare needs of children and those with  special needs. Dr. Travis White and Dr. Kolby Lance are Diplomates of the American Board of  Pediatric Dentistry and have passed a series of rigorous exams to become board-certified pediatric dental specialists. 

Dr. White was born and raised in Roosevelt. He founded White Smiles in 2009 after seeing the need for a children’s dental specialist in the Basin. He and his wife Alicia have three children, Kiara, Kenton, and Mckenzie, and they absolutely love living in Vernal among family and friends. One of the most rewarding things about practicing in the Basin has been the ability to reestablish relationships within the community. Travis completed his dental training at the University of  Kentucky and then continued his training in the specialty of pediatric dentistry at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He enjoys spending time outdoors, mountain biking and attending sporting events with his kids (Mckenzie currently is a multi-sport collegiate athlete). 

Dr. Kolby Lance joined Dr. White almost six years ago, and they are 50-50 partners in the practice. He was born and raised in Vernal. Kolby and his wife Tara, a dental hygienist, along with their four children, Noah, Sloan, Rowan, and Lottie were excited to have the opportunity to move back to the Basin to join the kid-focused team at White Smiles. After graduating from Brigham Young University, Dr. Lance completed his dental training at the Missouri School of Dentistry and Oral Health. He then continued his training in the specialty of pediatric dentistry at NYU Langone Hospitals. When they aren't doing dentistry, you can find the Lances cheering for their son Noah at Uintah High, camping and four wheeling on the mountain, or watching Utah Jazz games. 

Dr. White and Dr. Lance believe that great smiles start early. At White Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, their goal is to make your child’s dental experience as positive as possible and alleviate dental  fears. The friendly caring staff and kid-friendly environment make dentistry fun and exciting. Everything about their beautiful new facility was designed to make children love the dentist! White Smiles offers many treatment options including sedation for children with many cavities or who are extremely anxious. They even have dental lasers and can fix some cavities without those dreaded shots!

Dr. White and Dr. Lance accept many insurances and even have an in-house savings program for  those without insurance. They are proud to serve disadvantaged children by accepting Medicaid. Often, extremely young children come to the office with severe early childhood cavities. We’re talking children two to five years old with 5, 10, and even 20 cavities often accompanied by severe pain and facial swelling. Dr. White and Dr. Lance have long-standing privileges at Ashley Regional Medical Center and Uintah Basin Medical Center where they complete hundreds of oral rehabilitation cases each year for children in the Basin. Both doctors are grateful to be raising their families and providing kid-focused dental care in the community they grew up in and love.

The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize White Smiles Pediatric Dentistry as the January 2025 business of the month.

We would also like to present both Whites Smiles and Revive Skin Care & Laser with a beautification award for their renovation of their new location. They took a worn out building and, with a lot of hard work, turned it into a beautiful facility both inside and out. As shown in the pictures, it looks truly amazing! Thank you for improving and beautifying our community!


Nine people celebrate Sunburst Childcare Center as the November Business of the Month
October 27, 2026
Congratulations to Sunburst Childcare Center, the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce's November Business of the Month! For nearly three decades, Sunburst Childcare Center has been a second home to local children, providing a safe, welcoming place to learn, laugh, grow, and occasionally track glitter into every corner. The story began with First Impressions Preschool, operated by Karl and Andrea Fleming. As more families began asking about full-day childcare options, the Flemings recognized a growing need in the community. In 1997, they answered that call, and Sunburst Childcare Center was born. In 2006, their daughter, Shawnie Mayes, joined the team, continuing the family's commitment to early childhood education. As demand grew, so did Sunburst. In 2014, a major expansion added four new classrooms, allowing the center to welcome even more children. When Karl and Andrea retired in 2017, Shawnie stepped into the role of Director, carrying on the family legacy. Today, Sunburst is licensed to care for up to 128 children. And anyone who has spent time around a room full of energetic little ones knows that takes a village! Behind Sunburst's success is an incredible team of assistants, teachers, and staff who do it all. From tying shoelaces for the hundredth time and negotiating with determined toddlers to offering encouragement and wiping away tears, they approach each day with patience, compassion, and plenty of good humor. At the heart of Sunburst is a shared belief that early learning should be filled with joy. Their dedicated team works to create an environment where children feel safe, supported, and excited to discover the world around them. But Sunburst's commitment to making a difference doesn't end at the classroom door. Giving back has always been an important part of their mission. Sunburst proudly supports community traditions and organizations, including Hotel Vernal Haunt, Trick or Treat Street, Holly Days, the Jensen Pumpkin Festival, and the Uintah Basin Orchestra and Chorus. For the Sunburst team, caring for children also means caring for the community they call home. They understand the importance of giving working parents peace of mind and believe that a strong community begins by investing in its youngest members.  Sunburst Childcare Center is honored to be recognized as the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce's Business of the Month and looks forward to continuing to grow alongside local families for many years to come. Please join us in congratulating Shawnie Mayes, the entire Sunburst team, and the Fleming family on this well-deserved recognition! Thank you for nearly 30 years of nurturing little minds, supporting local families, and helping make the Uintah Basin a wonderful place to grow up.
September 15, 2026
Since opening its doors in 2022, Glam Factor & Spa has grown into one of the Basin’s largest salons and a place where women can feel confident, supported, empowered, and celebrated. Proudly owned by Tara Burman, Glam is home to an incredible team of 16 talented women offering a variety of services, including hairstyling, massage, lashes, microblading, nails, and Pilates. For Glam, it’s about more than just beauty. The goal is to create a space where women can grow their careers, build confidence, support one another, and succeed together. Glam Factor offers apprenticeship opportunities to help women develop their skills and pursue careers in the beauty and wellness industry, creating opportunities for the next generation of talented professionals. Giving back and being involved in the community is also a big part of what makes Glam Factor special. In June, the Glam team provided free haircuts to local foster children and created special goodie bags for each child. They have also opened their doors to support local causes, including hosting a lemonade stand where the entrepreneur raised money for the Veterans Pantry. Glam continues to collaborate with local businesses, including Soda Company and Coffee at 1020, finding creative ways to support and highlight other members of the community. Glam Factor also supports the community through event sponsorships. This year, they sponsored Uintah High School’s tailgating party and have supported events and organizations such as Miss Volunteer Uintah County in the past. Through these sponsorships, collaborations, and community events, Glam continues to find meaningful ways to invest in the people and organizations that make the Basin special. Through Tara’s social media presence and the Glam brand, the business continues to use its platform for good by connecting with the community, highlighting local people and businesses, supporting those in need, and finding meaningful ways to give back. At the heart of Glam Factor & Spa is a simple purpose: beauty, wellness, empowerment, and community. Tara is grateful to lead a team of amazing women who are passionate about making every person who walks through Glam’s doors feel beautiful, strong, and cared for from the inside out.
July 10, 2026
The bike shop has been a part of Vernal’s community for almost 30 years. In 2021 Jon Mckeachnie and Marcus Batty bought the shop and it became Red Mountain Cycle. They’ve continued the biking adventure and taken it to the next level. Red Mountain Cycle has had the pleasure of providing helmets to the community. Partnering with Ashley Regional Medical Center, we’ve helped those in need of helmets to keep them riding safely. They were able to help co-host the 2023 Numb Fest out at McCoy Flats trail head with the BLM. They brought an assortment of bikes from Santa Cruz for people to test ride and experience different riding styles. In the past they’ve also volunteered to lead a guided trail ride at the Red Fleet trails. Showing different trails for people visiting or for people just starting out. For the high school Mountain Biking team Specialized offers discounts on bikes and equipment for racers each race season. At Red Mountain Cycle they don’t just sell bicycles, they help people get outside, stay active, commute to work, and keep riding. Whether it’s a child’s first bike or someone’s daily transportation, it’s rewarding to be a small part of those experiences. The Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize Red Mountain Cycle as July’s business of the month. Thank you for all you do to support our community! 
June 12, 2026
We are your full custom off-road shop. We specialize in everything from UTVs, Jeeps, buggies, and ATVs—providing everything you need to build your dream rig. Whether you’re preparing for the trail, upgrading performance, or just looking to stand out, we’ve got you covered. Our showroom is fully stocked with top-quality accessories designed to get you trail-ready and turning heads wherever you go. We offer a wide range of services, including: Same-day oil changes Full detailing services Plastic restoration Tires, wheels, portals, long travel kits, and much more Side-by-side rentals Jeep rentals Free 24-hour emergency services In addition to that, our full-service mechanic shop is equipped to handle anything your machine needs, big or small. At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to keep you on the trail and make sure your rig performs and looks its best. Stop by and talk with Chad. Let’s build something that makes your rig stand out above the rest. 
March 1, 2026
Today we are proud to recognize Carpets Plus as our Business of the Month. Carpets Plus has been serving the Uintah Basin for more than 30 years, building a strong reputation for professional carpet cleaning, dependable flooring solutions, and exceptional customer service. What began in 1995 as a small carpet cleaning operation has grown into a successful, high revenue flooring business. Carpets Plus now serves more than 125 homes and businesses every month, offering reliable expertise for all types of flooring needs. In addition to flooring installation, their team provides a full range of specialty cleaning services including carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, tile cleaning, and certified flood clean up services available twenty four seven. They also offer professional air duct cleaning to help customers maintain healthier homes and businesses. Carpets Plus is home to the largest flooring showroom in the Uintah Basin, offering more than 30 in stock options for carpet and hard surface flooring every day. Whether you are working on a new build, a remodel, or updating a room, they make it easy for customers to explore a wide range of styles with knowledgeable guidance and dependable service. They have also been recognized by the community, being voted the number one carpet cleaner in Vernal for multiple years, a testament to their commitment and long standing customer trust. On behalf of the Vernal Area Chamber's Public Relations Committee, we are proud to present Carpets Plus with the Business of the Month Award for March.
January 29, 2026
Jordan Clark’s creative path began in 2020 with the launch of Ninty1 Designs, where his hand-painted murals quickly became a familiar sight throughout Vernal. As projects grew in size and scope, Jordan brought on Tonya Merrell to help with mural work, and it didn’t take long to recognize her strong background in screen printing and apparel production. What started as collaboration on walls naturally evolved into a shared vision—creating something lasting together that blended art, quality, and service. In 2023, that vision became Inked Threads, a custom apparel shop built on creativity and collaboration. Today, Jordan and Tonya own and operate Inked Threads, serving the Basin and surrounding areas with fast turnaround times, high-quality custom apparel, and in-house design that brings each customer’s vision to life. Their mission is to become the most reliable custom apparel shop in the Basin, while staying deeply connected to the community by supporting many youth activities and programs, such as local youth baseball and softball programs.
January 28, 2026
Founded in 2005 by Brian Nielson and Mike Eskelson, this trusted local contractor has delivered high-quality residential and commercial projects across the Uintah Basin for nearly 20 years. From custom homes and subdivisions to projects like Vernal Urgent Care, Dinoland Bowling, and the Vernal LDS Temple remodel, they exceed expectations every time with precision, transparency, and integrity. Even more impressive is their commitment to giving back through youth sports, schools, and community service. Proud to celebrate a company that builds strong communities! Congratulations Columbia Construction!
January 1, 2026
Davis November 2025 Business of the Month Jim and Debbie Davis, owners of Davis Food and Drug, moved to Vernal from Jackson Hole, Wyoming in March 1988. At that time their 2 sons, CJ and Lee respectively, were 4 and 2 years old. As the years have passed, both boys joined their parents in the business and are now both taking an active role as owners of the family- owned business. The stores in Vernal and Roosevelt were formerly Safeway and then Farmer Jack grocery stores. Upon purchasing the stores, Jim and Debbie converted them to IGA Su­ per Centers. Throughout the 34 years of owning this grocery business, the family has changed the name of the business several times, largely due to circumstances out of their hands. A few years ago, they made the decision to put their own name on the business, assuring the communities they plan to continue servicing their customers for years to come. Once settled in the community, they immediately joined the Chamber of Commerce in both Vernal and Roosevelt, recognizing the value of being involved in the community. They also encouraged their employees to get involved in the community and volunteer in organizations and activities that interested them. The IGA motto was and still is Hometown Proud and although Davis Food and Drug is no longer affiliated with IGA, they have never abandoned the Hometown Proud philosophy. The Davis Family have continued to encourage their management teams at Davis Food and Drug to carry forward the way of life of participating, giving, and contributing to the community where they live and work. In tum, the management teams encourage the store associates to do the same. Consequently, the stores have participated in community events as varied as the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club, where we are the pickup and drop off location for Santa's Community Effort. Davis also sponsors the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo, Storytelling Festival, Mayors Halloween Walk, Hotel Vernal Haunt, Dina-Soar Days, Dino ½ Marathon and many other events around-town. In addition to serving the community, the Davis family looks for ways to make grocery shopping as easy and enjoyable as possible in an ever changing world. The Davis family is consistently trying new technology and sales events to find ways to interact with and help their customers have a pleasant shopping experience. The Davis Family is honored to be recognized with this award and pledge to continue working for and with the communities they serve.
October 7, 2025
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September 9, 2025
Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Meridian, Idaho, Commercial Tire has proudly served the Northwest for over five decades. The company operates locations across Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah, including a valued presence here in Vernal. What began as a family-owned business has grown into a 100% employee-owned
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