Tom Pooley

Tom Pooley, DDS, owns River Valley Dental of Mankato – a premiere dental facility devoted to increasing patient comfort and advancing care in the greater Mankato area. His team of professionals aims to extend outstanding services and a wide range of expertise in oral hygiene and general care.
Dr. Pooley is widely known as an excellent dentist because of his role as one of the few Invisalign Preferred Providers for 2012. He uses the latest technology to provide top-notch care, making education a priority. Because of his advanced equipment, he is more than equipped to extend the best dental care possible, utilizing the latest techniques and practices. He values his commitment to invest in the local community, and many of his patients appreciate this aspect of his business. He is from Mankato and went to high school in the area, and has therefore maintained a reputation as a community leader.
River Valley Dental is known for being a friendly office and for extending a variety of excellent services, including cosmetic dentistry. The staff is goal-oriented and values open communication with patients. The staff has served individuals in the Mankato area for over eight years and aids in a variety of charity work. The office sponsors the men’s softball team and donates to Minnesota State University, South Central Technical College, Loyola Catholic School in Mankato (K-12) and more. Dr. Pooley also helps pre-dental students by allowing interns to shadow him in the workplace.

Tom Pooley, DDS, was born and raised in the greater Mankato area. He was a graduate of Mankato West High School in 1995 and then moved on to dental school at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He graduated in 2002 with a degree as a doctor of dental surgery (DDS). Once his graduation was complete, he continued his education by completing a residency at the University of Minnesota.
Before opening his own practice in June of 2005, he worked at offices in St. Paul and New Prague, both located in Minnesota. He was also a clinical instructor at both the University of Minnesota and Minnesota State University-Mankato Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Personal history
Dr. Tom Pooley lives in Mankato and is married to Hilary (Feder) Pooley. Their first child, Noah, was born in early September 2006 and their second child, Garrett, was born in early March of 2008. In his free time, he enjoys water skiing, slalom skiing, playing softball, boating, biking and playing cards.
Associations
Dr. Pooley is an active member of the following organizations:
- American Dental Association
- Minnesota Dental Association
- Minnesota Better Business Bureau
- Southern District Dental Society
- South Central Dental Study Club
Charities
Because Dr. Tom Pooley and his team are invested in the community of Mankato, they are involved in a number of charities, including the March of Dimes. The office sponsors patients who walk or run for March of Dimes – a charity that helps mothers have full-term pregnancies, and researching the problems that threaten the health of babies.
The office also supports Polar Plunge, which raises money for Special Olympics. River Valley Dental sponsors patients who participate in the event. The Special Olympics is the world’s largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, extending year-round training and competitions to more than 4.2 million athletes in 170 countries.
Modern approach and advanced technology
Because of Dr. Pooley’s invested interest in education and helping others achieve more, River Valley Dental of Mankato became known as a modern dentist office that adopted advanced technologies to provide top-notch care. Throughout his education, Tom Pooley has made significant strides toward improving the dental field. He garnered a genuine interest in the oral health troubles many Americans face and worked hard to create an office that aims to eliminate fear of pain, inconvenience or cost.
The patient-dentist experience is highly valued at River Valley Dental, serving children and adult patients alike. The office provides the following advanced services:
- Invisalign
- DentalVibe®
- Fixed and removable prosthetics
- Sonicare
- Schick Dental Imaging
- UA Performance Mouthwear
- Captek Crowns
River Valley Dental also provides general treatment services, such as:
- Restorations
- Root canals
- Crowns
- Implants in conjunction with the oral surgeon
River Valley Dental is dedicated to enhancing every patient’s overall experience, fostering a compassionate, comfortable environment. Because Dr. Tom Pooley merges advanced technology with compassionate, personal care, patients are consistently satisfied with the team’s approach to sustain optimal oral health. The office serves as a one-stop dentistry for families and individuals with varying needs.
Patients appreciate the Mankato-based office for several reasons, including the team’s effort to provide convenience, comfort and quality care. River Valley Dental is set apart from the rest because of the professional team’s invested interest in the community and dental health education. He encourages other oral health professionals to stay on top of learning about advanced equipment and new developments.

Dr. Tom Pooley is dedicated to advancing the dental field, and he believes oral health has a bright future. As organizations and practices remain focused on adopting new practices and equipment, Dr. Pooley believes a commitment to technology will cause River Valley Dental to make a significant impact on patients in the Mankato area. Education of oral health will supply people of all ages with improved knowledge when it comes to oral hygiene and the importance of seeking out preventative care.
Dr. Pooley and his team aim to enhance the state of oral health in Southern Minnesota and beyond, merging advanced technologies with compassionate care and convenience. The more patients feel comfortable and cared for at the dentist office, the more often they will make routine appointments, improving oral hygiene. Dr. Pooley strives to expand his reach in the greater Mankato area, teaching community members the value of seeking optimal dental health.
As an Invisalign Preferred Provider, Pooley believes Invisalign will continue to dramatically improve the lives and smiles of patients. There are many benefits to Invisalign, including comfort and convenience. The aligner trays are not only smooth and comfortable to wear, but they are also removable, meaning that a patient can brush, floss and eat without any hindrances.
Dr. Pooley will continue to provide general dental tips and good oral hygiene advice for anyone interested in keeping their teeth clean and healthy. Tom Pooley strives to extend after-care tips and preventative knowledge as clearly as possible, making a difference in the lives of his patients so they have better smiles and confidence.