Welcome To Children's Dental Group

Dr. Tanner is proud to be your kids’ pediatric dentist! Tooth be told… the kids love her and she loves them.

Originally from the Mississippi Delta, she now calls Memphis her home. In 2005, she graduated from Tougaloo College with a B.S. in Chemistry. She then went on to pursue her passion for dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and discovered her love for children’s dentistry along the way. After finishing residency training, she completed her board certification with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and joined Children’s Dental Group.

The practice has grown to three locations throughout northeast Arkansas, but the mission remains the same… “Creating beautiful little smiles is our passion.”

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She and her husband Todd recently welcomed a little girl who has them wrapped around her fingers.

Hi, My name is Nikita Patel and I am originally from California (Go Niners and Warriors ). I moved to Memphis,TN in 2021, as my husband was born and raised in Marion, AR. I received my BA from UC Berkeley, DDS from The University of the Pacific in San Francisco, CA, and pediatric dentistry certificate at the University of Michigan. I love to travel, try new workouts, meet new people, watch sports, and play board games. My favorite thing about pediatric dentistry is meeting all the wonderful children and making their dental experience a happy one.

Dr. Todd Smith is a board-certified pediatric dentist with more than ten years of experience in both teaching and practicing the pediatric dentistry. He is a proud graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he received his Bachelor of Science in biology. Following college, he was accepted into the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and completed his training in 2007.  During his matriculation through dental school, Dr. Smith received numerous honors for both academic and clinical accomplishments.

After graduation, he became a full-time faculty member at the college of dentistry because of his passion for teaching students.  His passion for children led Dr. Smith back to school to complete a residency in pediatric dentistry in 2010.  He is also a fellow of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and currently serves as both a writer and oral clinical examiner for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. 

On a personal note, Dr. Smith is an active outdoorsman who loves to ride bikes and to fish. He stays very active in his community and his church.  He volunteers for numerous health fairs and mission trips and heads up the pediatric dental section of Mid-South Mission of Mercy on a yearly basis.

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