By: Matthew Phillips

This summer marks a special milestone at Oak Park Dental in Troy, as son Dr. Hunter Blackmon officially joins the practice, working alongside his father, Dr. Allen Blackmon Jr.

The story began in 1992, when Dr. Allen Blackmon Jr. started his dental career right here in Troy. Over the decades, he has become a familiar and trusted face to families across the community. His son Hunter, observing from the sidelines, developed an early curiosity about dentistry.

“I was probably around six or seven when I started paying attention to what my dad did,” Hunter Blackmon recalls. “Even at that age, I could tell he really loved his job, and that stuck with me.”

Raised in Troy, Hunter spent his middle and high school summers helping out at the office. What began as a way to stay busy quickly turned into a genuine passion for dentistry.

“I worked at the office during summers through middle and high school,” he says. “Over time, I found a real love for dentistry. It became something I could see myself doing for the rest of my life.”

Hunter attended the University of Alabama for his undergraduate degree and recently graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Dentistry this past May. Returning to Troy to join his father at Oak Park Dental is a moment that brings their story full circle.

“Both of us have been dreaming about this opportunity for a long time,” Hunter Blackmon says. “It is really something amazing, and I’m just glad the time is finally here. It feels great to be working with my dad.”

Now, more than 30 years after Dr. Allen Blackmon Jr. began practicing dentistry in Troy, Oak Park Dental embarks on a new chapter—igniting a father-son duo for dental care.