NATCHEZ — With a new dental practice in Natchez, Dr. John Meassells has been working to make sure his patients have something to smile about.

Meassells, a Canton native, took over the former Holt Dental Center on U.S. 61 South in December. Louisiana-based Bluebonnet Dental purchased Holt’s practice, and Meassells now sees Holt’s former patients.

Holt’s license was suspended for five years after the Mississippi State Board of Dental Examiners conducted an investigation into Holt’s practice and found multiple violations of the Mississippi Dental Practice Act.

Meassells said taking over the practice has been a transition.

“But it’s working out well,” he said.

Meassells graduated from Mississippi State University in 2004 and went on to the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry, where he earned his doctorate of dental medicine.

After graduation, Meassells joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a naval dentist. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina until joining the Bluebonnet Dental team.

The Navy was a great experience, Meassells said, but he wanted to return to Mississippi.

“I wanted to come home,” he said.

Bluebonnet offers general and cosmetic dentistry services, including cleanings, dental implants, dentures, extractions, Invisalign invisible braces, crowns and root canals.

Bluebonnet has an in-house laboratory, eight treatment rooms with televisions mounted from the ceiling and a room with a massage chair to relax patients, office manager Becky Dillard said.

And if patients get tired of watching TV during their visit, they can always watch for the office pets to stroll past the window, Dillard said.

Along with Holt’s practice, Bluebonnet purchased Holt’s group of miniature horses and “Marty,” a miniature zebra.

“I think it helps us, people are always coming in asking about them,” Meassells said laughing.

Meassells said he chose dentistry to serve others.

“I like it because you can help people and make them feel good about themselves,” he said.

Bluebonnet is open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday and 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Appointments can be made by calling 601-446-9099.