Meet the Team
The entire Happy Smiles Meridian team is passionate about ensuring your child has a great trip to the dentist. Everyone from the doctors to the administrative team works hard to make sure you and your child leave with a great big smile.

Dr. Taylor Farland
Dr. Taylor Farland - Dentist

Dr. Taylor Farland received a BA in Russian Linguistics from the University of Utah before deciding to dedicate his career to dentistry. He went on to dental school at Dalhousie University, earning his DDS. Dr. Farland was awarded the Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Promise and Proficiency in the field of Pediatric Dentistry by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Farland continued his training by completing a pediatric dental general practice residency at the IWK Health Center, which is the primary pediatric healthcare provider for all of Atlantic Canada.
Dr. Farland is proud to live and raise his family in Meridian. When he’s not in the office putting smiles on the faces of our patients at Happy Smiles Meridian, he enjoys golf, crossfit, and spending time with his wife and 3 children.
Favorite Band You can find Dr. Farland chillin' out to some Beck
Favorite Quote Theodore Roosevelt's The Man in the Arena, “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...”
Language Dr. Farland speaks Russian
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Dr. Kimberly Grady
Dr. Kimberly Grady - Dentist
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Dr. Kimberly Grady was born and raised in Meridian, MS. She graduated from Meridian Community College in 2004 and attended the University of Mississippi where she received a BA in Biochemistry in 2007. She went on to Dental School at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, earning her DMD in 2017.
Dr. Grady chose to become a dentist when she was working as a Hygienist and saw the need for dental care in her community. She saw many kids in need of dental work and knew that she could have a positive impact on their health outcomes by becoming a dentist, so she went to dental school.
Dr. Grady enjoys knowing she is making an impact on her community through her work at the Happy Smiles office and with support of our community outreach efforts. In her spare time, Dr. Grady enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as her dog, Bella - a fun-loving Labradoodle.
Favorite Band True to form as a kids dentist, Dr. Grady LOVES Disney movie songs.
Resident Foodie Can't pass up authentic Vietnamese cuisine!
Award Dr. Grady was awarded the esteemed 2020 "Woman of The Year" by the Meridian Star.
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Dr. Bridger Allen
Dr. Bridger Allen - Dentist
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Dr. Bridger Allen is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist hailing from Madison, Mississippi. Dr. Allen attended dental school at the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. From there, he completed his speciality training in pediatric dentistry at Blair E. Batson Children’s Hospital in nearby Jackson, Mississippi. Dr. Allen served as Chief Resident and went on to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
He continues to be an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and the Mississippi Dental Association.
Dr. Allen is proud to use his expertise as a Pediatric Dentist to help children receive needed dental treatment in a manner that is positive, supportive, and non-traumatic.
Outside the office, Dr. Allen spends most of his time keeping up with his 6 kids.
Say Cheese Dr. Allen is an amatuer photographer, and his favorite subject is – you guessed it – his family!
Recipe Does smoking meat on the grill count as a recipe?
Favorite Team New Orleans Saints, Who Dat!
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Dr. Matthew Harris
Dr. Matthew Harris - Dentist
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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 Meridian, 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.
Favorite TV Show The wildly popular, Breaking Bad.
Favorite Cuisine Currently loving Greek food.
Dog Lover Dr. Harris and family share their home with a sheepadoodle named Splash.
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Dr. Jason Leach
Dr. Jason Leach - Dentist
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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?
Favorite Movie Bull Durham, sports with a side of romance – it has something for everyone!
Delivery Order Supreme pizza, load it up.
TV Show He enjoys a Netflix series binge when he gets the chance.
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Dr. Preston McAlexander
Dr. Preston McAlexander - Dentist
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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 present 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.
Favorite Past Times Woodworking, currently restoring a 110 year old house.
Favorite Quote Dr. Mac loves to hit the slopes.
Family Pets Shih Tzu named Roux, and tokens of 2020, two cats named Joe Exotic and Carol Baskin.