South Mississippi Smiles – Gulfport

South Mississippi Smiles - Gulfport is a dentist in Gulfport, MS, specializing exclusively in pediatric care. The practice treats patients from infancy through adolescence, offering services such as dental exams, fillings, and extractions. The office operates on the premise that children's mouths differ from adults', providing care tailored to unique needs rather than treating young patients as smaller adults. The practice is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm and Friday from 8am to 2pm. It holds a rating of 4.80, reflecting positive feedback from customers who have reviewed it.

The practice is dedicated to creating a fun and family-friendly environment, with the entire office geared toward making visits comfortable for kids from the lobby to the treatment rooms. All dentists complete a rigorous in-house training program to ensure specialized pediatric care. The team encourages parental involvement, allowing and inviting parents to be present during appointments to help both the child and the parent feel at ease and to discuss oral health directly with the dentists. Dr. Tennisha Buckner, DMD, is part of the team; she earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry after attending Tougaloo College. She focuses on educating patients about oral health habits and puts nervous young patients at ease. The practice has been recognized by the SunHerald Best of Coastal MS as Best Dentist of 2025 and has received past awards from Parents and Kids Magazine Family Favorites and 228 Awards. It also supports the local community through charitable initiatives, including a donation program for local 501(c)(3) organizations.

The location is at 9354 US 49, Ste. L, situated about 0.2 miles from Airport Road and 0.3 miles from Three Rivers Road. It is approximately 0.7 miles from Gulfport Premium Outlets, 0.9 miles from the Gulfport Police North Substation, 1.1 miles from Crossroads Elementary School, and 1.2 miles from Turkey Creek School.

South Mississippi Smiles - Gulfport stands out in the Gulfport area for its exclusive focus on pediatric dentistry, combining specialized training with a patient-centered approach that prioritizes comfort and parental participation for young families.