Title: Dentist, Owner
Company: Love Your Smile LLC
Location: Georgia
Education: MSA in Health Services, Central Michigan University (2009);
General Practice Residency, St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Washington, DC (2008)
DDS in General Dentistry, Howard University College of Dentistry (2007);
BS in Biology, Fort Valley State University (2002)
Career History: Owner, Doctor of Dental Surgery, Love Your Smile LLC (Aspen Dental) (2017-Present);
Managing Clinical Director, General Dentist, Aspen Dental, Douglasville, GA (2015-2017);
General Dentist, Great Expressions Dental Centers (2008-2015)
Marnita Lemons (Stevenson), DDS, Owner and Dentist at Love Your Smile LLC, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of general dentistry.
Dr. Lemons decided to pursue her profession through what she considers divine intervention as it came to her in a dream. Early in life, she was inspired to become a nurse after experiencing the compassion and care provided by one who vaccinated her during doctor visits. However, that aspiration did not last once her mother told her that nurses followed instructions from doctors. During the second semester of her senior year at Fort Valley State University, she had a dream in which a voice told her she was destined to excel as a dentist. Upon waking up, she took the message very seriously and dropped plans she had of becoming an obstetrics-gynecologist in favor of pursuing the profession. Because it was too late to apply for dental school for the following year, she took a different path from a majority of her colleagues in the field. Already equipped with a Bachelor of Science in biology, she was motivated by her new career goal and her mother—an educator who served as a great role model—to achieve her dream. She taught Algebra I and II at North Clayton High School, from which she graduated, while she pursued her master’s degree, studied for her dental entrance examination, and went to dental school interviews. Ultimately, she obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery in general dentistry from Howard University College of Dentistry in 2007, completed a general practice residency at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, in 2008, and then a Master of Science in health services from Central Michigan University in 2009.
In 2008, Dr. Lemons began her career as a general dentist at Great Expressions Dental Centers, where she remained for seven years before launching her own practice, Aspen Dental, where she served as a managing clinical director, in 2015. She excelled in this role for about a year and a half before purchasing her first office with the Aspen Dental brand in Douglasville, Georgia. She now has seven practices branded as Aspen Dental but in operation under the name Love Your Smile, LLC—located in Douglasville, Austell, Carrollton, Macon, Warner Robins, Griffin, and Dunwoody. While focused on oral health, cosmetic dentistry, tooth extractions, implants, aligner therapy, fillings, crowns and bridges, botox, and fillers in her day-to-day operations, she also takes great pride in mentoring and training new dental school graduates and other practicing dentists who are struggling in the field with the goal that they will provide excellent dental care for their patients.
On top of being recognized among Marquis Emerging Leaders, Dr. Lemons’ impact has been honored with a Blue and Gold Circle Award at Fort Valley State University, a Making the Magic Happen Award by Aspen Dental, and by the Top Gun Dentist Awards at Great Expressions Dental Centers. She is also a lifetime member of the Fort Valley State University National Association.