School of Dentistry at UMMC

Our SOD Wellness and Community Care Committee donated to the Blessing Box Flowood: Friends of the Flowood Library today. We are thankful for every donation from our SOD Family that enabled us to make this drive a success!

Pictured: Neil Paul and KaTerria Bates (Vice Chair and member of the SOD Wellness and Community Care Committee)
Not Pictured: Venessia Randle (Chair of the SOD Wellness and Community Care Committee)

Join us in congratulating Dr. Kristin Nalls and Dr. Alicia Rose on their new academic appointments. Dr. Kristin Nalls has been appointed Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions. In this role, Dr. Nalls will provide strategic leadership and oversight for admissions, enrollment management, student affairs, service learning, and community outreach initiatives across the School of Dentistry. Her responsibilities include recruitment and admissions activities, student engagement and success initiatives, pathway development, and outreach efforts supporting both the Doctor of Dental Medicine and Dental Hygiene programs. Dr. Nalls has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to student recruitment, engagement, and success. Her experience and dedication positions her to continue advancing the School's mission and strategic priorities.

Dr. Alicia Rose has been appointed Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions, Dr. Rose will provide operational leadership for student success initiatives, student engagement programming, career readiness efforts, and retention-focused activities across the School of Dentistry. Dr. Rose's passion for student development and commitment to educational excellence make her an outstanding addition to the Student Affairs leadership team.

Last week, the School of Dentistry at UMMC was proud to take part in the Mosaic Summer Enrichment Program. This is a one week residential program designed to introduce students from rural Mississippi communities to various healthcare careers. Thank you to Dr. Kristin Nalls, Brittany Funderburg, Dr. Kimberly Wade, Dr. Marcos Lenza, Dr. David Langford, Dr. Leniese Lynn, Dr. Laura Asbill, and our student panelists Anna Cochran, Richard Smallwood, Sara Grace, Guy Ledin, Kaylee Routh, Summer Wheat, and Natalie Taylor for making the Dental Focus Day a success!

Join us in congratulating Dr. Chauncey Blakeney and Dr. Kelbe Logan on the successful completion of their Pediatric Dentistry Residency Program!

Their dedication, hard work, and commitment to providing exceptional care for children have brought them to this exciting milestone. Throughout their residency, they have demonstrated a passion for pediatric oral health and a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of their young patients and families.

We are proud of all they have accomplished and look forward to the many ways they will continue to serve their communities and advance the field of pediatric dentistry.

Congratulations, Dr. Blakeney and Dr. Logan! We wish you continued success in this next chapter of your professional journey!

Join us in congratulating Dr. Jennifer L. Bain, DMD, MSPH, PhD, Chair of the Department of Periodontology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry, on her induction as a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy International Headquarters on June 12, 2026, during the Mississippi Dental Association Annual Session at the Perdido Beach Resort.

The Pierre Fauchard Academy is an international dental honor organization that recognizes dentists who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, service, and contributions to the profession and their communities. Fellowship is by nomination and invitation and is considered one of dentistry’s most distinguished honors. The Academy is named for Pierre Fauchard, the French dentist widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Dentistry.” Fellows are selected for their commitment to professionalism, integrity, ethics, leadership, and advancing the field of dentistry.

Looking for an Endodontist? Look no further! Dr. Huffman is now seeing new patients and taking new referrals at School of Dentistry at UMMC!

NEW to UMMC! 🥼🦷💙
The OPR WELCOMES Dr. Charles Huffman, Endodontics, to University Dentists!
Dr. Huffman treats patients in need of the following:
🦷Root canal therapy
🦷Root canal re-treatment
🦷Apicoectomy
🦷Endodontic evaluation following dental trauma
🦷Evaluation of root resorption

Dr. Charles Huffman is a native of Tupelo, Mississippi. He earned his undergraduate degree from Hendrix College before joining the Mississippi Teacher Corps, where he taught high school science from 2011 to 2014. Following his passion for health care and education, Dr. Huffman attended the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry, graduating in 2019. He then pursued advanced specialty training in endodontics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, completing his residency in 2024. Dr. Huffman and his wife have three children and share their home with one dog and three cats.

A future in dentistry starts with inspiration. Last week, 7th grade students in the S.M.I.L.E. U. Program at the School of Dentistry at UMMC explored the exciting world of oral health through hands-on learning, research projects, faculty and student mentorship, and a behind-the-scenes look at dental education. The experience culminated in a special White Coat Ceremony, where students proudly donned their coats as a symbol of their commitment to becoming future dental professionals. This ceremony was made even more special because pet therapy dog Charlie came back to support his new friends with a tiny white coat of his own 😍😍 We are so proud of all of these future caregivers and future healthcare professionals who will serve MS for years to come. Big thanks to Dr. Kristin Nalls, Smile U Coordinator Max Vanlandingham, Rochelle Anthony and Janiyah Broach for all of their behind the scenes hard work on this program.

School of Dentistry at UMMC faculty, staff, and students had an amazing time at the 151st Mississippi Dental Association Annual Session in Orange Beach, Alabama. They will bring a wealth of knowledge back to our school. In addition, MDA also pledged a $120,000 donation towards our new dental school and we are so very appreciative! Thank you MDA!

Today our SMILE U campers ended their positive self talk and mindfulness exercise with a surprise visit from Charlie the therapy dog. Charlie was just as happy to see these 7th graders as they were to see him and he really soaked up all the attention, love, and rubs he got today. Thanks for stopping by Charlie with your mom Barbara!!! We enjoyed you!

Photos: