By the time he was in his mid teens, the boy who would grow up to be Dr. John Hughes was already paying his own way.

He raised chickens, a hundred at a time. He made quite a business of mowing lawns and did his share of walking down Main Street selling newspapers. This business man began as a business boy making his own way because he really had no choice. 

John grew up in the home of a church starter. Being the son of a church starter doesn’t put money in your pocket, but it can build rich values in your character. 

His parents were givers and the son they raised is a giver too---but also a compassionate philanthropist. He gives his money, but he also gives his time.  He serves his church, helps our community and builds houses for people in Mexico even poorer than he was growing up.  He says, “When I retire from dentistry I think I’m going to do more of that.” 

Where dentistry is concerned, it’s been 23 years since John Hughes finished his studies at Boston University and moved his wife, Thompson, and two sons to Tucson  to found Southern Arizona Endodontics.

How can someone do the same thing for 23 years and sustain such a passion for it? 

“I like helping people, especially people who are in a lot of pain. I can make them feel better fairly quickly.”

That says it for Dr. Hughes and it explains why he has attracted a team of world-class doctors and staff who share the same concern for you and your pain.

“That’s me in the tan hat testing the porch roof. When I no longer do root canals, I want to put roof tops over people in Mexico.”

Patricia: “It’s the people I work with and the compassion of the Doctors with their patients that I enjoy so much."