MEMPHIS FIT
By Lucy Harrison Photo by Tindall Stephens
How This Dentist Spreads Smiles
Dr. Allyn Johnson, 32, is, in a word—busy. She’s a full-time partner at Drs. Dugard and Johnson, a private cosmetic and family dentistry practice in Germantown, and a volunteer dental provider at Church Health Center, a local nonprofit that provides healthcare to working uninsured, underserved Memphians. She also donates her time and expertise to the Bellevue Bus mobile dental clinic, providing basic dental care to those in need. Allyn’s commitment to altruism despite her demanding schedule is a testament to her belief that helping others is the true core of any healthcare profession. 20
“Being in healthcare, helping people becomes part of your identity and daily duties,” she says. “That’s what I love about dentistry. No other practice makes people immediately feel better. It’s so satisfying being able to instantly bring suffering people out of pain and make them smile.” This sentiment is brought to life through Church Health Center’s Wall of Smiles, a heartwarming collage that showcases before and after images of underserved individuals proudly showing off new smiles made possible by volunteers like Allyn. Allyn’s contributions to her community are not limited to her dental expertise. She also teaches Pilates twice a week at
Germantown Athletic Club, bringing mindfulness and movement to an inclusive audience. “My classes are diverse; we have women who just went through childbirth, people in their sixties and seventies, people who are new to fitness,” she says. “Anyone is welcome. Mat Pilates, which is what I teach, is very accessible; all you need is your mat, and you can practice anywhere.” Allyn has been doing Pilates since she was 14. She became officially certified through Germantown Athletic Club’s affordable 30-day program in 2019, and credits Pilates with helping her bounce back following foot injuries in 2013 and 2016.
