Why She Was Nominated:

Dr. Lyons is founder and CFO of S.C.O.R.E. (Successful, Confident, Optimistic, Regal and Engaging), a nonprofit that bolsters STEM education to high school girls from underserved groups. S.C.O.R.E. provides paid summer internships to girls in the Charlotte and Atlanta metro areas, and has offered more than $10,000 in scholarships to date. Dr. Lyons and her husband (and practice partner), Dr. Andrew Lyons, also cofounded “The Lyons Share,” the philanthropic arm of their practice, which provides four pro bono smile makeovers a year via partnerships with local nonprofits. (Read: “How to Do It”)

Why She Became a Dentist:

“I was inspired at a young age. Pretending to be my family’s dentist, I’d take out my siblings’ loose baby teeth.”

Tool She Can’t Live Without:

The Smile Lite MDP camera attachment. “Not only does it make my cosmetic cases pop, it also makes communication with our lab regarding expectations seamless.”

Impact of the Pandemic:

“It has affected our practice for the better. I’ve always been one to see the good in every situation. This pandemic has allowed my husband and I time to transform our practice into the practice we’ve always dreamed of—minus the excessive PPE.”