With over 30 years of experience transforming smiles, Dr. Norm Prillaman has become a trusted name in orthodontics throughout the Central Virginia area. He is known not only for his clinical excellence but also for his genuine care for each patient.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Prillaman plays an active role in giving back to his community. From supporting local schools and youth sports teams, to volunteering his time at his church as an elder, and spending time with his family, he is deeply committed to making a lasting impact both in and out of the office. His dedication to service reflects his belief that a healthy smile can change lives – and so can a compassionate heart.
In 2000, Dr. Prillaman purchased an orthodontic practice in his hometown of Lynchburg, VA – a place that has always held deep roots for him. Shortly after, his childhood friend, Dr. Ricky Sterne, joined as his business partner, and together they built a practice centered on quality care and serving generations of families across Lynchburg and the surrounding areas. Today, Dr. Prillaman proudly serves as a doctor partner (owner) and the Group Practice Manager of a Group Practice in Virginia supported by PepperPointe Partnerships with 15 practices, 27 office locations, and 20 doctor partners.
A Unique Perspective on Patient Experiences
Dr. Norm Prillaman brings a special kind of energy to the clinic. He makes it feel more like a family than a workplace. And he’s always finding ways to keep things light, whether it’s breaking into a custom-made Disney song about someone’s braces coming off or slipping into a character’s voice that has everyone laughing.
That playful spirit keeps the team upbeat and helps patients feel at ease, too. Behind all the fun, though, is a deep commitment to care and precision that’s been at the heart of the practice for years. It’s that balance of warmth and excellence that really sets his practice apart.
The “And” Mentality
Over the years, Dr. Prillaman has found deep fulfillment in mentoring aspiring dental professionals — whether they’re pursuing careers in dentistry, dental specialties, hygiene, or assisting. He is committed to advancing care beyond his own community; he extends his knowledge to fellow doctors, assistants, and specialists across the region.
He has served as a remote instructor for Virginia Commonwealth University at his local free dental clinic and founded the dental component of the Central Virginia Medical Missions team, which has trained and inspired many local dentists, specialists, and assistants in mission-based dentistry.
A long-term goal of Dr. Prillaman’s is to help establish a cleft lip and palate clinic in the Lynchburg area, as many families currently must travel outside the region to access this specialized care.
With PepperPointe’s support, Dr. Prillaman and Dr. Sterne were able to scale for growth without sacrificing their personal touch or the patient experience. As Dr. Prillaman states, “That growth need was certainly there, and we could meet it if we just changed our thought process.” The PepperPointe model — and the team behind it — helped shift that mindset, empowering their practice to operate more efficiently while remaining deeply rooted in their mission of delivering exceptional patient care with compassion.
Delivering outstanding care and supporting a growing patient base are not mutually exclusive. With the resources and operational support from PepperPointe, Dr. Prillaman embraces the “And” mentality: providing exceptional care and growing sustainably; investing in his team and continuing to make a difference in his community.
As Dr. Prillaman states, “the PepperPointe model is not an either-or model, you don’t have to decide what is most important to you and give up another part.” By leading with tenacity and boldness you create a new path and empower your practice to make a meaningful impact, without compromise.
The Future of Dentistry
Dr. Prillaman is deeply passionate about the future of dentistry. Over the years, he has proudly contributed to a range of impactful projects through his practice, each leaving a lasting impression and deepening his passion for meaningful work.
His enthusiasm about the future is especially personal now, as one of his daughters is working in his practice and the other is following in his footsteps in dental school. Dr. Prillaman’s partnership with the PepperPointe model has given him something invaluable: confidence in his practice’s future. As he reflected, “I can confidently say that the future for doctors under the PepperPointe umbrella as an owner will be similar to the experience that I have been fortunate enough to have over my career”
About PepperPointe Partnerships
PepperPointe Partnerships is the largest doctor-owned, doctor-controlled dental service organization (DSO) in the country — built not to own dental practices, but to protect true doctor ownership at every level of the business. Our model is designed to preserve personalized patient care by empowering doctors to lead their practices, build long-term value, and retain full clinical and operational autonomy.
Headquartered in Lexington, Ky., and founded in 2017, PepperPointe provides long-term, strategic, and innovative solutions to help doctors grow their practices, strengthen patient relationships, and build lasting value. Today, we support three doctor-owned Group Practices representing 75 practices, 115 locations, more than 160 doctors, and over 1,000 team members across Kentucky and Virginia, as well as an office-based sedation company that expands access and continuity of care for pediatric dental patients.
For more information, visit pepperpointe.com, and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.