About Dr. McCarty
Dr. Britt McCarty will tell you he has the greatest job in the world! He truly loves and enjoys being with children and he gets to be with them all day in his pediatric dental office. Some of his most rewarding moments are when an apprehensive child undergoes a dental procedure and sits up to give him a big smile and a hug. Dr. McCarty feels that is one of the most important parts of your child’s dental visit. This love and concern for your child will be the atmosphere you will find at his office.
God was preparing Dr. McCarty for his career in Pediatric Dentistry even before Dr. McCarty was aware of it. At Mississippi College, Dr. McCarty took child and adolescent psychology classes, and in fact still uses things learned in those classes to this day. Upon graduation from Mississippi College, Dr. McCarty entered the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. During this time, he decided pediatric dentistry was his love and, during his senior year, did extra work in pediatric dentistry. Dr. McCarty received the American Society of Dentistry for Children Award for the graduating class of 1985. After graduation, he completed two years of specialized training in pediatric dentistry at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio: the largest children’s hospital in the United States. This gave Dr. McCarty excellent training in managing the dental needs of children, teenagers and special needs individuals. He continues to maintain knowledge in the ever-changing area of dentistry and orthodontics by completing many continuing education programs and courses every year.
Dr. McCarty began his private practice of pediatric dentistry in Meridian, MS in 1987. Having been raised in Jackson, MS, he now calls Meridian his home.
He has been married to his wife, Amy, for over 20 years. They have been blessed with six children. So, as you can see, he has LOTS of experience with children. Dr. McCarty and his family attend Highland Baptist Church, where he actively serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Dr. McCarty has participated in several medical mission trips to Mexico and Honduras. He considers it a real blessing to go and serve those people and share the gospel of Christ by meeting their dental needs.
In his “free” time, Dr. McCarty enjoys being with his family and playing golf. He has coached youth basketball for many years in the Parks and Recreation and Upward Basketball Leagues. He also is involved in the Boy Scouts, serving as an assistant Scout Master and on the Executive Board of the Choctaw Area Council Boy Scouts.
About Dr. Ellis
Dr. Shelley Wilkerson Ellis is a Meridian native who is very excited about being home again. She has always enjoyed working with children. Thanks to Dr. McCarty she realized she wanted to be a pediatric dentist. Dr. Ellis was blessed to grow up in the same church as Dr. McCarty, and had the opportunity to observe his dental practice during the summers. She was able to go on international mission trips and teach children about God's love for them. She has been a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. She was involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes throughout high school.
Dr. Ellis attended Mississippi State University where she began pursuing a career in pediatric dentistry. Through her sorority, she volunteered at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where she learned the importance of pediatric healthcare. She volunteered at the Palmer Home for Children, Make a Wish Foundation, and Headstart Schools in the Starkville area. She received a Leadership Scholarship while attending MSU.
After graduating Mississippi State University, Dr. Ellis entered the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry. While at UMC, she went on summer mission trips to Mexico with the Christian Medical and Dental Association. There she practiced pediatric dentistry during the day and helped lead worship services at night. Upon graduation from dental school in 2008, she received the award for outstanding performance in pediatric dentistry from the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry. After graduation, Dr. Ellis completed a two year residency at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi in Pediatric Dentistry and Community Oral Health. She gained experience in treating children of all ages with special medical and behavioral needs. Dr. Ellis considers her time at the children's hospital a blessing and a valuable learning experience.
Dr. Ellis has recently moved back to Meridian and began practicing with Dr. McCarty. She looks forward to caring for the dental needs of the children and adolescents of Meridian and the surrounding areas. She hopes to continue volunteering in the community and going on mission trips to help those with dental care needs and teaching them about Christ.
She and her husband, Todd, are excited about moving back to her home town. In her spare time, Dr. Ellis enjoys cooking, running and spending time with her family.