Meet The Staff

Stephanie Murray

Stephanie Murray

Office manager

Stephanie has been working in orthodontics since 2006. She has been employed with Smiles Ahead Orthodontics since April 2021. She is certified in CPR and holds a certificate in radiology for the state of MS. Her favorite thing about working at Smiles Ahead is meeting the new patients and building new friendships. Stephanie enjoys traveling, fishing, and hunting with her husband, and spending time with their grandchildren and family.

Samantha Owen

Samantha Owen

Orthodontic Assistant

Samantha graduated on the Dean's list from PRCC with an Associate's of Arts degree in May of 2021 and AOAA in November of 2021. She retains a certificate in CPR and Radiology for the state of MS. She has been employed at Smiles Ahead Orthodontics since March of 2022 and could not be happier. Her favorite thing about working at Smiles Ahead is getting to meet all of the new patients and answering all questions about starting their orthodontic journey. She enjoys spending time with her fiance and their new baby boy Kowen, as well as her 3 rescue pups.

Anna Harper

Anna Sanford

Orthodontic Assistant

Anna graduated from ADAA in March of 2022 and holds a certificate in CPR and Radiology for the state of MS. She has been employed with Smiles Ahead since June of 2022 and loves being a part of the team. Her favorite thing about working at Smiles Ahead is meeting all of the patients first hand when she seats them at their chair and takes their necessary x-rays. In her free time, Anna likes to mud ride with her husband.

Taylor Phillips

Taylor Temple

Orthodontic Assistant

Taylor graduated from Jones Junior College in May of 2023; also from the ADAA in July of 2023. Taylor is certified in CPR and Radiology. She's been with Smiles Ahead Orthodontics since July of 2023. Her favorite part of working for Smiles Ahead Orthodontics is being able to see the patient's transformation from start to finish. Taylor enjoys spending her free time traveling, reading, and working around the house with her husband.

Heather Hicks

Heather Hicks

Orthodontic Assistant

Heather graduated from the Dental Assistant Program at PRCC in 2018 as a certified Dental Assistant. She's been working in Orthodontics for 6 years and she's CPR and radiology certified. Her favorite thing to do outside of work is spending time with her husband and 2 boys SJ and Beau. She loves riding four-wheelers, watching Alabama Football, reading, drinking coffee, eating, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite thing about working here is getting to watch people feel more confident in themselves and watch their transformation as their smiles change. She also loves meeting new people and getting to talk with them.

Ashtyn Walker

Ashtyn Walker

Orthodontic Assistant

Ashtyn is currently at student at the University of Southern Misslssippi pursuing a bachelor's deg,ee in Health Science. While she is in school, she works part time at Smiles Ahead. One of the things she loves about working at Smiles Ahead is meeting all the wonderful patients. When she is not at work or school, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing tennis, and traveling.