Meet the Team

Dr. Tennisha Buckner is a skilled and compassionate dentist who was born in Jackson, MS and raised in nearby Clinton, MS. She attended Tougaloo College before pursuing her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry.

Dr. Buckner is passionate about providing her patients with the highest quality care possible, and is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest dental techniques and technologies. She is dedicated to educating her patients about the importance of good oral health habits and helping them achieve beautiful, healthy smiles that last a lifetime.

When she's not in the office, Dr. Buckner loves spending time with her beloved dog, Bentley. She enjoys exploring the great outdoors, trying new restaurants, and indulging her love of photography.

Dr. Buckner loves working with children. She finds their fun outlook on life to be infectious, and she takes great joy in educating them on proper dental hygiene and watching them grow up to be healthy, happy adults. She understands the importance of making dental visits fun and approachable for kids, and is skilled at putting even the most nervous young patients at ease.

Dr. Buckner is dedicated to giving back to her community, and is involved in a number of local organizations that support children's health and well-being. She is passionate about helping kids develop good oral health habits that will last a lifetime, and she believes that every child deserves a healthy, happy smile.

Dr. Cameron Larson was born in Safford, AZ. He decided he wanted to become a dentist as a young teen in 7th grade. It was confirmed after personally experiencing great results from the dental work he received from his Orthodontist. Dr. Larson attended Arizona State University where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Biological Sciences in May 2009. He received a DMD degree from A.T. Still University in Arizona in June 2013.

Dr. Larson is married and has three children, two girls and one boy. The family pet is a Pug named Indie. In his spare time Dr. Larson loves spending quality time with his family, enjoying both indoor and outdoor activities. He also enjoys playing and watching sports.

Dr. Jacqueline Huckabee was born and raised in Arizona. She decided to be a dentist her sophomore year in high school and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Iowa in 1990.  She discovered her love of pediatric dentistry in the first few years of practice and has decades of experience in family dentistry. She is proficient in Spanish.

Dr. Huckabee now calls Mississippi home. She spends her free time reading, running with her dog, working out, doing yoga, paddle boarding or riding her cruiser board. She and her husband also enjoy hanging out with their 2 dogs and spending time with great friends.

Dr. Christina Granier was born and raised just west of the coast in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She attended LSU for her undergraduate degree in Biology.

Dr. Granier knew she wanted to go into healthcare, and as a child, was fortunate to have had a dentist that made her appointments fun and not scary. As a result, she decided she wanted to pursue a career in dentistry with the hope to help kids have a similar experience.

She went to LSUHSC School of Dentistry where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery and is now an active member of the American Dental Association as well as the Mississippi Dental Association.

Dr. Granier is excited to move to the Coast and join South Mississippi Smiles to help your kiddos have a positive experience and learn a lifetime of great oral habits.

While she is technically Dr. Granier, everyone just calls her Dr. G.

Dr. Matthew Harris grew up in Ridgeland, Mississippi and attended Mississippi State University where he earned his undergraduate degree in 2006.

Dr. Harris continued his studies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center where he earned the degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine in 2010.

Dr. Harris practiced dentistry for two years at a community health center dental clinic in North Carolina. In this setting Dr. Harris was able to see the positive impacts on his work as a dentist for underserved communities, especially children. Dr. Harris returned home to Mississippi and is proud to serve the families of Gulfport & Pascagoula, MS with quality dental care in an upbeat and kid friendly environment.

He is a member of the Mississippi Dental Association and the American Dental Association, but to our patients, he’s a big kid and fun to be around.

Dr. Preston McAlexander grew up in Holly Springs, MS and attended the University of Mississippi where he received his undergraduate degree in 1999. He continued his studies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and was awarded the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2004. While at the School of Dentistry, he served as student body president and representative to the American Dental Association.

Dr. McAlexander worked for five years in a community health center dental clinic as part of the National Health Service Corps. He is a member of the Mississippi Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

At the health center dental clinic, Dr. McAlexander was able to see first-hand the impact that quality dental services can have on a family. He is proud to continue his work to bring great dental care to all children, regardless of their family income.

Dr. McAlexander enjoys life outside the office with his wife and two kids. He is an active member of his local United Methodist Church.

Dr. Gunner Rhoden, a dedicated and skilled dentist, was born in Connellsville, PA, and spent his formative years in Belzoni, MS. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry from the University of Mississippi before pursuing his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree at the UMMC School of Dentistry.

Inspired by his parents, both of whom are nurses, Dr. Rhoden knew early on that he wanted to make a meaningful impact in the medical field. His lifelong passion for art also played a significant role in his career choice, as he found that dentistry beautifully blends artistic precision with medical expertise.

Dr. Rhoden takes great joy in working with children, valuing their honest and transparent expressions of emotion. This genuine interaction is something he deeply appreciates and finds rewarding in his career. His commitment to combining his artistic skills with his medical knowledge ensures that every patient, especially young ones, receives top-notch, compassionate care.

Dr. Jason Leach was born and raised in Jackson, MS. He is proud of his Alma Mater, Ole’ Miss, having earned both his undergraduate degree and his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Leach believes in providing the children he serves with the very same treatment he would want his own kids to receive. By all the smiling faces in his dental chair, we think he is succeeding!

A leading dentist in our mobile dentistry outreach program, Dr. Leach is passionate about helping families access critical preventative services for their children. This program partners with our local schools and Head Starts to help improve health outcomes for the children they support.

In the mobile program and at the office, Dr. Leach encourages healthy habits that will prevent tooth decay in Mississippi children.

Dr. Leach spends his spare time with his wife and two kids. What could be better than that?

Dr. Cayce Wallace  is a board-certified pediatric dentist and has been setting the highest standards in kids dentistry since 2010. Born and raised in Mississippi, Dr. Wallace attended Mississippi College where he played baseball and received a B.S. degree in Medical Biology.

He attended Dental School at the University of Mississippi and completed specialty training at the Batson's Children's Hospital in Jackson, MS. Dr. Wallace was named Chief Resident and became a diplomate for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Wallace has focused on developing his skills to combine exceptional dentistry in a fun and relaxed environment. He believes that good oral health requires educating the child and parent at an early age. He brings passion and energy to provide the kids of the community the service they deserve.

Dr. Wallace is an active member of many of the leading dental organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and the Arizona Dental Association.