About Your Dentist

Implants and Reconstructive Dentistry

Dr. Steve Johns has focused much of his dental practice on providing implants and reconstructive dentistry to his patients. “Implant dentistry is my passion. It has given me the ability to greatly improve the quality of our patients’ lives by allowing them to function as they did with their own teeth.” He has obtained credentialing in many implant organizations.

Education

Dr. Steve Johns attended high school in Cookeville, Tennessee and received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tennessee Technological University. He graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery and returned to Cookeville to open a dental practice with his wife, Dr. Mary Linda in 1981.

Putnam County Senior High School – Class of 1970
Tennessee Technological University – 1970-1975
University of Tennessee College of Dentistry – 1976-1978
Alabama Implant Study Group Implant Series – 1980-1982
Medical College of Georgia Maxi-Course – 1983
Misch Implant Institute – Graduate 1989-1990

Professional Credentials

Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry (ABOI)
Diplomate of the American Society of Osseointegration
Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)
Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology (ICOI)
Graduate of the Misch Implant Institute

Dr. Johns is currently serving his 7th year on the AAID Admissions and Credentials Testing Board and is an Honored Fellow of the AAID (reserved for the top 1% of the Academy).

Honored Fellow AAID 2004
Diplomate ABOI 2003
Fellow AAID 1995
Diplomate ASO 1992
Fellow ICOI 1988

Practice History

National Health Service Corps 978-1981
Private Practice 1981-Present

Professional Organizations

American Dental Association
Tennessee Dental Association
4th District Dental Society
Academy of General Dentistry
Alabama Implant Study Group
Tennessee Academy of General Dentistry
American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Southern District American Academy of Implant Dentistry
International Congress of Oral Implantology
American Congress of Oral Implantology
American Society of Osseointegration
American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry  
Dental Organization of Conscious Sedation

Professional Offices

President – 4th District Dental Society 1992-1993
President – Southern District AAID 1993-1994
President – East Tenn. Implant Study Group 1990-1991
President – Alabama Implant Study Group 2000-2001
Board of Trustees AAID 1993-1994
AAID Chairman Ethics Committee 1997-1999
Chairman of AAID Annual Meeting 1996
Co-Chairman of AAID Research Foundation Meeting 1997
AAID Annual Meeting Committee 2000

Community

Drs. Steve and Mary Johns are both very active in the community. They attend and teach Sunday school at the First United Methodist Church. Dr. Steve Johns sings in the church choir and the Upper Cumberland Barbershop Quartet Chorus.

He earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1967 and is still very active with the Boy Scouts of America organization. He is a historian for the Upper Cumberland BSA and is the Unit Commissioner for Troop 108 and Assistant District Commissioner and District Chairman for the Upper Cumberland District.

He is also a Board Member and Treasurer for the Cookeville History Museum.

General Dental Care

Dr. Mary Linda Johns devotes her practice to general dental care for the entire family with a special focus on cosmetic dentistry and pediatrics. “Helping people feel good about receiving the dental treatment they need is very important to me. What a child experiences during the first visit to the dentist will last forever, therefore we want to create a pleasant experience for each child.”

In 1981, Drs. Johns graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and returned to Cookeville to open a dental practice with her husband, Dr. Steve Johns in 1981. It has always been important to both doctors to be able to combine raising a family with their dental practice. They have three children, who are all married, and one granddaughter. Their youngest son is carrying on the family tradition and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis.

Education

Dr. Mary Linda Johns attended high school in Cookeville, Tennessee, received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tennessee Technological University, and graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

Putnam County Senior High School – Class of 1972
Tennessee Technological University – 1972-1976
University of Tennessee College of Dentistry – 1977-1981
Graduate of the Las Vegas Institute for Cosmetic Dentistry

Professional Organizations

Tennessee Dental Association (TDA)
American Dental Association (ADA)
Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)

Community

Drs. Steve and Mary Linda Johns are both very active in the community. They attend and teach Sunday school at the First United Methodist Church.

Dr. Mary Linda Johns is a past recipient of the Outstanding Young Tennessean Jaycee Award. She is also a Genesis House Board Member and past President.

Dr. Johns is also a Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics where she is able to fulfill her goal of helping people feel better about themselves and watch her team members reach their goals.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Gandhi

My Mission

“My mission is to positively affect my community by providing exceptional dental care, fostering long-term relationships with my patients, and raising awareness of the importance of oral health. I want to educate and empower my patients to take ownership of their dental health and hygiene. To serve others is to know oneself.”

Education

Doctor of Dental Surgery
Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry – Nashville, Tennessee

Master of Business Administration
Everest University – Tampa, Florida

Bachelor of Arts in Biomedical Science and Communications
University of South Florida – Tampa, Florida

Continuing Education & Professional Memberships

Dr. Ferdinand completed a General Practice Residency in June of 2016. She is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.

Life & Hobbies

“My life consists of being with my husband and loving on my three boys. We enjoy dancing, being outdoors, and finding time to do things for others. In my spare time, (which is rare with three kids under 7) I enjoy arts and crafts, especially scrapbooking. Basically, our family just loves spending time together, so anything that allows us to do that brings us joy.”

My Mission

“My mission is to deliver high-quality dental care and patient education to your entire family, including children. I strive to provide a compassionate, personalized patient experience in a modern and relaxing environment while featuring the latest in dental technology.”

Education & Continuing Education

Doctor of Dental Medicine
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Master of Science in Oral Biology
University of Louisville School of Dentistry – Louisville, Kentucky

Bachelor of Dental Surgery
Dr. NTR University of Health Sciences – Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India

Dr. Upadhyayula completed an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Internship at the University of Maryland Medical Center and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dr. Upadhyayula's notable achievements include receiving accolades such as the "Intern of the Year Award," “Clinical Proficiency Award,” “American Association of Prosthodontists Student Award,” and “Residents in Regeneration Challenge finalist”. He has demonstrated leadership as the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) National leader and President of the Advanced Standing Students Group at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Upadhyayula's research is mainly focused on periodontitis and inflammation and oral and maxillofacial pathology. He also serves as a peer reviewer for multiple journals.

Professional Memberships

Dr. Upadhyayula is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Indian Dental Association, the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honor Dental Society, and the International Association for Dental Research/American Association for Dental Research (IADR). He is also part of the faculty for NYU Langone Advanced Education in General Dentistry.

Life & Hobbies

Having relocated to Cookeville, Tennessee, Dr. Upadhyayula has become an integral part of Johns Family & Implant Dentistry. His dedication to dentistry and community health is evident from his past role as the Dental Director of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s largest community health center. In this capacity, he aimed to build community relationships, introduce new technology, expand services to the underserved population, and strengthen residency programs.

Dr. Upadhyayula brings his wealth of expertise and dedication in general and implant dentistry to Cookeville, contributing to the dental well-being of the community. He looks forward to serving the Cookeville community and making a positive impact.

Dr. Upadhyayula’s wife is an endocrinologist at CRMC, and together they cherish moments with their baby girl. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys photography, travel, and playing tennis during his free time.