Leadership

Mississippi Dental Hygienists’ Association is led by a group of dental hygienists working collaboratively and on a volunteer basis. The leadership team for 2021-2022 includes:

Bayley Alexander RDH, BS
Bayley lives in Bay Springs with her husband and two sons. She currently practices clinical dental hygiene in Laurel. Bayley has always had a passion for dental health. She started her dental career as a dental assistant in 2006. She decided to further her education by obtaining an Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from Pearl River Community College in 2011. Then in 2018 she received a Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene from the  University of Mississippi Medical Center. Bayley has served several roles for MDHA. She  was the interim Treasurer in 2018, Vice President in 2019, and President Elect in 2020.  

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Shannon McCharen, RDH, BS
Shannon graduated from Coastal Carolina Community College in 1999 with an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene and recently graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene.  Shannon is a military spouse, licensed in five states, and made Mississippi her permanent home. She is passionate about progressing the practice of dental hygiene with modern standards and innovations to improve Mississippians’ oral and overall health.

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Jennifer Walker, RDH
I am Jennifer Walker, President Elect. This is my third year with the MDHA board. For the previous two years, I served as Treasurer and I am thrilled to continue on this path of improving professional life for Mississippi hygienists. I was born and raised in Vicksburg but have lived in Rankin County since graduating from UMMC in 2009. For 12 years I have practiced clinically in the Brandon/Flowood area. My husband and I have three daughters and a pup who keep us on the go.  We are on track to do wonderful things for our profession here In Mississippi, and I am grateful to be a part of this association.

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Brandi O. Barranco, RDH, MDH
Brandi graduated with a BS in Dental Hygiene from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in 2007.  After working in private practice, she went on to earn her Master of Dental Hygiene from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2011.  During that time, she had the privilege of being a clinical instructor at LSU.  In 2012, her husband’s job moved their family to Mississippi.  She currently resides in Columbus and works as a clinical Dental Hygienist in a family practice.

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Angie Wooten, RDH
My name is Angie Wooten and I grew up in Pascagoula Mississippi where I graduated from Pascagoula High School in 2009. I attended The University of Mississippi Medical Center for Dental Hygiene and graduated with my Bachelors degree in 2014. I started working at The Winning Smile in June 2014-present. I love what I do and hope to continue making a difference in my patient’s lives. I look forward to serving as Secretary for MDHA. 

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Sandra Horne, DHA, RDH
I graduated from University of Mississippi Medical Center dental hygiene program in 1981. Additionally, I graduated from Mississippi College with a Master of Health Services Administration and UMMC with a Doctor of Health Administration.  I am currently a Professor of Dental Hygiene at UMMC. I received a Certificate of Business Advantage Program from Millsaps College Else School of Management Business Advantage Program. I have specialty certification in Local Anesthesia from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. I am a certified instructor of CPR Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. I have professional memberships in the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Dental Educator’s Association. I have served in offices with the MDHA over the last 19 years ranging from President-Elect, President, Past President, Delegate, Legislative Chair, and now Delegate again. I volunteer as the Student Table Clinic Coordinator at MDHA Annual Session. I have served as secretary and treasurer of CMDHA (local component).

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Barbara Brent, MSAH, RDH
I graduated from the UMMC School of Health Related Professions Dental Hygiene Program with an associate degree in 1981. As a registered dental hygienist, I worked in private dental practices in Vicksburg, Jackson, and Clinton, MS for 36 years. In 2011, I began my pursuit to become a dental hygiene educator. I earned my BS degree in Dental Hygiene from the UMMC Dental Hygiene Advanced Standing Online program in May 2014. In August 2014, I accepted a part-time position as a clinical instructor for the UMMC SHRP Dental Hygiene Program and continued working as a private practice dental hygienist. In July 2017, my private practice career came to an end when I accepted a dental hygiene position for the UMMC School of Dentistry Advanced General Dentistry Department. The dental hygiene position allowed me to continue as a part-time clinical instructor position as well as provide dental hygiene treatment to patients at the Jackson Medical Mall Dental Clinic. I received my Master of Science in Allied Health degree from East Tennessee State University in May 2018. In January 2019, I accepted a full-time faculty position for the UMMC School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Department.

As a private practicing dental hygienist, providing patient care was the most enjoyable aspect of my dental hygiene career and was the focus of my day-to-day duties. My goal as an educator is to assist in enriching the future dental hygienists’ knowledge and clinical skill by sharing my knowledge and skills. Hopefully, they will obtain the personal satisfaction that I received from providing patients optimum oral health care. I hope to share my experience and knowledge as an active participant on the MDHA Board of Directors.

I have been married for 37 years. We have six children, 17 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. My community involvement included several mission trips with my church, coaching fast-pitch softball, serving on the Clinton Soccer Association Board, and currently serving as the State Registrar for Mississipi Soccer Association.

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Haley Birmingham, RDH,BS
Haley graduated from the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 1996 with a bachelor of science in dental hygiene. She has worked in five states and currently resides in Brandon. She has worked at The Winning Smile Dental Group for 15 years and is lead dental hygienist for three locations. 

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Carrie Fowler, RDH, BS
In 2000, I graduated from Northeast MS Community College (NEMCC) with an Associate of Applied Science in dental hygiene.  I received my Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.  After 19 years of practicing clinically, I had the opportunity to return to my alma mater. In 2019, I accepted a dental hygiene instructor position at NEMCC.  I have served in various positions for the American and Mississippi Dental Hygienists‘ Association.  I am a 2017 ADHA Unleash Your Potential participate.  I have served as alternate delegate, and 2 years as Delegate to the ADHA House of Delegates, as well as a 2 years as District 6 Student Delegate liaison. This past year, I served on an ADHA reference committee.  I have served MDHA as 3 years as Secretary, MS liaison for the ADHA Institute of Oral Health, Vice- President, President Elect, Legislative Chair, and now proud to be serving you as MDHA President for the 2020-2021 term.