Mississippi Dental Association

10/20/2026

Last night, the MDA hosted the first of three fall Legislative Dinners in Mississippi! Our Biloxi gathering brought together local dentists and legislators to enjoy a great meal, get to know one another, and strengthen relationships that support dentistry.

MDA President Dr. Peter Boswell welcomed everyone and spoke briefly about the illegal practice of dentistry in Mississippi and the importance of protecting patients.

Thank you to the legislators who joined us:
• Representative Jeffrey Hulum III for Congress
• Representative Jim Estrada, Ms House of Representatives District 33
• Representative Jimmy Fondren
• Representative Kevin W. Felsher State Representative District 117
• Representative Greg Haney - State Representative
• Senator Mike Seymour
• Senator Jeremy England

We were also pleased to welcome dentists from across South Mississippi, including former MDA Presidents Dr. Rebecca Cooley Courtney and Dr. Charles Belknap, alongside current President Dr. Peter Boswell.

Thank you to everyone who attended! Our next Legislative Dinner will be November 2 at Char in Jackson.

Here is the Link to RSVP... https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MDAJacksonLegDinner

We hope you’ll join us as we work together to help dentistry grow and keep patient safety at the forefront!

10/16/2026

Happy National Boss’s Day to an incredible leader and an even more incredible person—Wahnee Sherman! 💙

Today, we want to recognize the heart, dedication, and care Wahnee brings to MDA. She is such an important part of our success, and her leadership helps us continue growing, improving, and moving forward. Behind that progress is someone who believes in the work we do and in the people who make it possible.

Wahnee has a special way of bringing out the best in everyone around her. She encourages us to recognize our strengths, build our confidence, and see what we’re capable of achieving. She makes room for ideas, offers support when challenges arise, and reminds us that every person has something valuable to contribute. That kind of leadership makes a lasting difference in both our work and our team.

What makes Wahnee so amazing is the person she is every day: caring, kind, thoughtful, and committed to helping others succeed. Whether she’s listening, offering guidance, celebrating someone’s accomplishment, or helping us work through a difficult moment, she makes people feel supported and appreciated. Her compassion helps create a place where we can learn, grow, and do our best work together.

Wahnee, thank you for the time, energy, and heart you pour into MDA. Thank you for believing in your team, encouraging us to keep reaching higher, and helping turn our shared efforts into meaningful progress. Your contributions are woven into MDA’s success, and we are so grateful for everything you do to help shape its future.

We hope you know how much you are valued—not just today, but throughout the year. We’re lucky to call you our boss and proud to be part of your team. Happy National Boss’s Day! 🌟

10/13/2026

Thank you Dr. Mark Donald for representing the MDA and the 5th District in such a strong fashion as a candidate for ADA President Elect. We are proud of you!

10/12/2026

10/10/2026

Your MDA delegation working for you at the ADA House of Delegates! Also cheering on Dr Mark Donald as he runs for President Elect!

10/06/2026

MDA Legacy | Honoring the Past. Inspiring the Future.

The Mississippi Dental Association is excited to introduce MDA Legacy, a new series celebrating the past presidents, longtime members, leaders, and families who have helped shape the MDA.

As we look toward the 152nd MDA Annual Session, MDA President Dr. Peter Boswell’s theme focuses on honoring the legacy laid before us while investing in the future of our profession. Mississippi dentistry is filled with incredible stories—including many multi-generational MDA families—and over the next several months, we’ll share some of those legacies.

We begin with Dr. Heber Simmons of Jackson. A native of Tupelo, Dr. Simmons earned both his dental and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis before establishing his practice in Jackson, where he has served patients for more than 57 years.

Dr. Simmons’ influence extends far beyond the dental office. For more than two decades, he worked with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to advocate for federal support of pediatric dental education. His advocacy has been credited with helping secure more than $158 million in federal appropriations supporting pediatric dental training, expanding opportunities to train future pediatric dentists and faculty.

His distinguished service to organized dentistry includes leadership as a former President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and service as a Trustee of the American Dental Association. In recognition of his lifetime of contributions, the University of Tennessee established an endowed professorship in pediatric dentistry in his name in 2017.

Dr. Simmons represents what MDA Legacy is all about—a career of service, leadership, advocacy, and dedication that has helped shape dentistry for generations to come.

Thank you, Dr. Simmons, for your extraordinary contributions to dentistry and for the legacy you continue to leave behind.

📅 Mark your calendars: June 3–6, 2027
Join us at Perdido Beach Resort in Orange Beach for the 152nd MDA Annual Session as we celebrate the legacy of Mississippi dentistry.

09/21/2026

Save More. Smile More.

💵 Every dollar counts.

Research shows that every $1 invested in community water fluoridation saves an average of $24 or more in dental treatment costs.

Preventing cavities is good for your smile—and your wallet.

09/19/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Tamra Shepherd! 🎉

Today, the Mississippi Dental Association celebrates someone who has been an important part of the foundation that has helped make the MDA what it is today.

Tamra’s years of dedication, knowledge, hard work, and commitment to our members and the dental profession have made a lasting impact on our Association. So much of what happens behind the scenes—and so much of the progress we continue to make—is built upon the foundation created by dedicated people like Tamra.

Tamra, thank you for everything you have poured into the MDA and for continuing to be such an important part of our team and our story.

Please join us in wishing Tamra Shepherd a very Happy Birthday! 🎂💙

09/11/2026

09/10/2026

💛 WORLD SU***DE PREVENTION DAY 💛

Today, on World Su***de Prevention Day, the Mississippi Dental Association reminds every dentist, dental specialist, team member, and dental student that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

The demands of dentistry can be significant. Stress, burnout, perfectionism, imposter syndrome, substance use and other challenges can take a toll. You do not have to navigate those challenges alone.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 to connect with the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

📞 CALL OR TEXT 988
Free • Confidential • Available 24/7

For a medical emergency, call 911.

The American Dental Association also offers mental health and wellness resources created with dental professionals and students in mind, including Dental Sound Bites episodes addressing:

• Substance use and addiction recovery
• Imposter syndrome
• Mental wellness and su***de in dentistry
• Perfectionism

🔗 Explore the ADA's mental health and wellness resources at ADA.org/mentalhealth

Today is an opportunity to check in—with yourself, a colleague, a classmate, a team member or a friend.

A conversation can matter. Asking someone how they're really doing can matter. Reaching out for help can matter.

Your health matters. Your mental health matters. You matter.

***dePreventionDay ***dePrevention