Dr. Cole J. Johnson is a Fort Smith, Arkansas native and a proud graduate of Southside High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, graduating Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. During his time at the U of A, Dr. Johnson met his wife, Jo Tynon Johnson, who now works as an ER nurse at Baptist Hospital. After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Johnson pursued his first passion, working as a Research Process Engineer at E & J Gallo Winery in central California.

While working in California, Dr. Johnson realized his true calling was in dentistry. Coming from a “dental family” deeply rooted in the profession, this transition felt natural. His father, George J. Johnson Jr., has practiced general dentistry in Fort Smith for over 40 years at Willow Creek Dental Clinic, and his brother, Chad Johnson, is an orthodontist in North Carolina. Additionally, his brother-in-law practices general dentistry in Bethel, Alaska.

Determined to pursue his new path, Dr. Johnson attended LSU School of Dentistry in New Orleans, where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Surgery. During his time at LSU, he was an active leader, serving as class president and graduating with honors, ranking fourth in his class. He also gained recognition for his involvement in dental research, presenting his work at conferences in Memphis and Washington, D.C. Dr. Johnson’s exceptional clinical performance earned him several prestigious awards at graduation, including the Southern Academy of Prosthodontics Award, the American Academy of Esthetics Award, and a scholarship from LSU’s Dean, Dr. Henry Gremillion, to attend the Dawson Academy, a renowned institute for advanced dental education.

After dental school, Dr. Johnson completed a year-long Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency in Birmingham, Alabama. During this time, he worked exclusively at the VA Hospital Dental Clinic, providing care for U.S. military veterans. His focus during this residency was on gaining his IV sedation certification and further developing his skills in implantology.

In addition to his passion for dentistry, Dr. Johnson is a proud member of the Arkansas Army National Guard, where he serves as a Major and practices dentistry at Camp Robinson Medical Command in North Little Rock. He also actively contributes to the dental community as a former Secretary of the Fort Smith Dental Association and a member of several organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry, Arkansas Dental Association, International College of Dentists, and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Johnson returned to Fort Smith in 2013 and joined the River Valley Smile Center team. He also works part-time at his father’s dental practice. As a father of two boys, River and Atlas, Dr. Johnson enjoys spending time with his family, engaging in outdoor activities such as flying his para-glider, vegetable gardening, paddling, fishing, and camping. Despite his travels, he remains a dedicated Razorback fan, supporting his alma mater through thick and thin.