The Team Behind the Smiles

MEET THE DENTISTS

Barry W. Herring, D.M.D.
Jonathan A. Woolfolk, D.M.D.
Sydney Sanford, D.M.D.
Megan Hunt, D.M.D.







Barry W. Herring, D.M.D.



Dr. Herring is passionate about dentistry, and, having 40 years of dental experience in the Starkville Community, doesn’t plan to slow down anytime soon. He has a wealth of knowledge through this experience and having over 5,000 hours of continuing education.  He enjoys all aspects of dental health and restorations, but greatly enjoys orthodontics.  The problem solving and depth of involvement with each patient make orthodontics his favorite!

Dr. Herring has been regularly attending continuing education courses since starting his practice in 1980, completing 5,229 hours of education after dental school. These courses include updates on all phases of dentistry. 565 of these hours are totally focused on orthodontic treatment. He has been doing orthodontics since 1983 and has completed over 2000 full banded phase 1 and phase 2 cases. He has also completed many limited orthodontic cases, which only one segment of the mouth is treated. He particularly enjoys watching young faces improve and change shape as children in his practice grow. We always monitor our growing patients and offer advice on the best time to start orthodontic treatment.

Dr. Herring is most known by his patients as jovial, kind, and gentle.  He wants to provide his patients and his team with a comforting environment in which to receive dental treatment and work.  Starkville Smiles has become ‘family’ to many people because of this.

Dr. Herring is a ‘townie’ through and through.  Born and raised in Starkville, he graduated from Starkville High School in 1973. He graduated with “highest distinction” from Mississippi State University in 1977 with a General Science degree and then graduated from the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1980.  After graduating, he came right back to Starkville to work with his uncle.   He then bought his first practice from Dr. Black, in the space where Deep South Pout is now!  After quickly growing, he built his current office in 1987.

Dr. Herring has been married to Karen for 37 years and has two daughters. Their daughter, Kathryn, graduated from Mississippi State and is working in Tupelo, Mississippi. Their daughter, Elizabeth, has graduated dental hygiene school from the University of Mississippi and is working with us. She is married to Dr. Jon Woolfolk, a graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. Jon joined our practice in July 2011, making this a true “family practice.”



Jonathan A. Woolfolk, D.M.D.



Dr. Woolfolk is ‘well beyond his years’ in dental experience. This is due to being part of the National Guard, where he does hundreds of dental exams on soldiers every month, in addition to his full time career at Starkville Smiles. He excels in treatment planning and execution, as well as doing root canals which is his favorite procedure.

Dr. Woolfolk is most known by his patients as attentive, honest, intuitive and great with children.  He wants his patients to know exactly what is going to happen during each procedure and explains needs in clear ways.  Dr. Woolfolk has a way of reading people quickly and can give them the type of assurance and comfort they need.  Having three children at home, Dr. Woolfolk is excellent at managing all ages and enjoys making the appointment easy and fun for them.

Dr. Woolfolk was born and raised in Senatobia, MS.  His parents both being in the medical field and advocates of reading, instilled in him a love for learning and an interest in the medical profession.  He graduated from Mississippi State University in 2006 with a degree in Chemistry, and began working on his Doctorate in Chemistry, during which time he married Elizabeth Herring.  He was accepted to dental school at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and began his studies 6 months after getting married!  After earning his Doctorate in Dental Medicine, he and Elizabeth returned to Starkville to begin their careers at Starkville Smiles. They now have three beautiful children, John Parker, Natalie, and Andrew.



Sydney Sanford, D.M.D.



Dr. Sydney Sanford is a native of Kosciusko, MS. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Mississippi State University and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree from the University of Mississippi Medical School of Dentistry. She is a member of the Mississippi Dental Association and American Dental Association. She is currently serving as the Mississippi Dental Association District 1 Secretary and Treasurer. Dr. Sanford has been married to her husband, William since 2017. They attend First Baptist Church in Columbus and enjoy going to Mississippi State sporting events, traveling, and spending time with their chocolate lab, Josie.



Megan Hunt, D.M.D.



Dr. Megan Hunt was born and raised in Starkville, MS. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering from Mississippi State University and went on to receive her Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Mississippi Dental Association, and Academy of General Dentistry.Dr. Hunt knew she wanted to be a dentist at the age of seven years old after seeing the impact quality dental care can play in a child’s comfort and confidence. That desire was confirmed after three consecutive dental mission trips to Honduras with Dr. Herring while in college.Dr. Hunt’s passion is providing quality dental care to her patients and doing all she can to make a difference for people the way her dentists did for her at such a young age. She is so excited to be at Starkville Smiles to serve the patients of her hometown and the surrounding areas. Dr. Hunt has been married to her husband, Kaden, since 2020. They enjoy hunting, fishing, traveling to new places, and spending time with family. They currently reside in Starkville and are members of Morgan Chapel Baptist Church in Sturgis, MS.





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OFFICE ADDRESS

301 Hospital Rd.
Starkville, MS 39759


PHONE NUMBER

(662) 323-3245

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