Dr. Benny Edwards

Dr. Benny Edwards grew up in the Ada area, attending Konawa High School and East Central University. He graduated from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry in 1980 and started his dental practice in Ada that same year. He and his wife, Rita, have been married since 1978 and live north of Ada on a farm called Tooth Acres. They have three grown children. Kayli is the varsity tennis coach at Wheaton Academy, in Geneva, Illinois. Clayton is a teacher for the Chickasaw Nation Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy (STEM) in Ada. Benjamin III (Trey), also graduated from the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry and is currently practicing dentistry with him at the Ada Smile Place. Dr. Edwards' dedication to continuing dental education has enabled him and his dental team to stay "fired up" about dentistry and to stay on top of all of the changes. He is a graduate of the L. D. Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education and the Dale Carnegie course. In addition, he is a member of the American Equilibration Society, American Orthodontic Society, Red Earth Dental Study Club, Oklahoma Dental Association and the American Academy of Dental Practice Administrators. Dr. Edwards has tried to "give back" to his community in various ways including serving as a deacon at Trinity Baptist Church and Ada Tennis Club Secretary/Treasurer for over 30 years. Dr. Edwards enjoys fishing, biking and spending time with his family. He recently completed his first sprint triathlon.

Dr. Trey Edwards

Dr. Trey Edwards is a graduate of Baylor University and the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry. After dental school, Dr. Trey Edwards was accepted into a residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry where he completed training in dental implants, advanced dental surgical procedures, cosmetic dentistry, and prosthodontics. He is a native of the Ada community and a graduate from Ada High School.

Dr. Trey is a member of the American Dental Association and Oklahoma Dental Association. He presented a lecture entitled "Treatment Options for Patients with Enamel Hypoplasia" at the Oklahoma College of Dentistry's Career Day. Dr. Trey received an award from the American College of Prosthodontists for a study on "Rehabilitation of the Mandibular Dentition in a Patient with Severe Attrition"

He enjoys giving back to the community by volunteering on the Oklahoma Dental Association's mobile dental van and providing free dental services at the annual Oklahoma Mission of Mercy.

Rita K. (Roberson) Edwards

Rita graduated from Roff High School and East Central University with a double major in mathematics and physics. She completed both a Master of Science degree in Metallurgical Engineering and a Master of Arts degree in Mathematics at the University of Oklahoma and completed all coursework for a PhD in mathematics education. She worked over two years as a metallurgical engineer for AT&T and taught math and physics at East Central University full-time for seven years and has been an adjunct professor in the mathematics department for six years. Presently, she is the chief financial officer for the Ada Smile Place and has been working with her husband, Benny, in the dental practice since 1980. Rita coordinates Meals-on-Wheels for Trinity Baptist Church and enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Also, Rita loves to cook and makes freshly baked cookies every morning for the Ada Smile Team and patients to enjoy. Check out her recipes in our Frequently Asked Questions section.

MariAlice Gayler, RDH

MariAlice has been a dental hygienist at our practice for 16 years. She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene in 1993. Upon graduation, she worked in Arizona for three years before moving to Oklahoma. She began working with Dr. Benjamin F. Edwards and his dental team in 1996.MariAlice is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association and the Oklahoma Dental Hygienists Association. MariAlice was drawn to the field of dentistry because she enjoys helping people. As a dental hygienist, she not only provides oral care but loves being a part of a healthcare team that delivers quality dental care and extraordinary smiles. She loves her work and looks forward to providing the community of Ada with excellent service for years to come. In her spare time, she helps on her family's ranch, east of Ada. She likes any outside activity and enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews and her dogs.

Lindsey (Shores) Edwards, RDH

Lindsey was born and raised in Ada. She went to Byng High School, and then spent three years studying at East Central University. After getting her pre-requisites at ECU, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene. Upon graduating from hygiene school, she worked as a dental hygienist in Chickasha for four years before moving to Ada and joining the Ada Smile Team. Lindsey is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association and the Oklahoma Dental Hygienists Association. She is a firm believer in the link between oral health and overall health. She knows her career is not only about her patients mouths, but their total health, so education is very important. Lindsey loves building relationships with her patients and helping them achieve their goals. She also likes to provide her patients with a relaxed environment in which they feel comfortable. When Lindsey is not seeing patients, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and dog.

Melanie Hill, Dental Assistant

Melanie has been with Dr. Edwards and the Ada Smile Team since 1987. Even after 25 years, Melanie continues to be excited about dentistry. She has received certifications from the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry in radiology, coronal polishing, sealant application, and the use of nitrous oxide. She encourages people to maintain better oral health because the link between it and their physical health has been proven to be extremely important. Melanie loves to see someone transformed by the services we provide, everything from restoring a mouth to a more healthy state for one patient, to helping another have a brighter and whiter smile, to simply easing another patient's fear of dentistry. She feels each patient is a unique individual that deserves to be treated as such and each one gets her undivided attention. Melanie is very artistic and uses this ability in helping provide a variety of cosmetic options for our patients helping them not only to feel their best but also to look their best. She loves the work she does and hopes to be doing it for a very long time. Melanie graduated from Allen High School and she and her husband, Frank, have one married daughter, Breanna.

Jeanne Curtis, Dental Assistant

Jeanne has been a dental assistant for Ada Smile Place for 18 years but she has 29 years of experience in the dental field. She received her dental assisting certificate in Oklahoma from the College of Health Careers 1981 and worked for an orthodontic office in Oklahoma City for 11 years. When her family returned to the Vanoss area she started working for Dr. Edwards and the Ada Smile Place. Since Dr. Edwards does orthodontics, including Invisalign and Six Month Smiles, it allowed her to utilize her prior orthodontic experience. One of Jeanne's favorite things to do is to pamper her patients. Since she works with the patients that are having major restorative or cosmetic procedures done, they usually have very long appointments. She tries to make their visit more pleasant and relaxing by offering paraffin hand treatments, a back massage unit in the dental chair, flavored lip balms, warm guest towels, and their favorite music on an I-pod or DVD's shown on the television in the ceiling above their heads. When treatment is finished she gives them a milkshake. She truly enjoys helping patients not only with their oral health but their overall well being. Jeanne graduated from Vanoss High School and is married to Wood Curtis. They have four children, Kali, Lyndi, Kendal and Rosalee and are blessed with five grandchildren.

Shauna McCary, Smile Coordinator

Shauna McCary joined the Ada Smile Team in 2008. Shauna is currently the team's quarterback, as she schedules the plays for each day. She started at Ada Smile Place while attending East Central University and became a full-time employee in 2011. Shauna brings youth, energy and many technical computer skills to our team. Her excitement for her job and love for the patients is inspiring. Shauna is certified in radiology, nitrous oxide and coronal polishing, and is working towards becoming a Registered Dental Hygienist. Shauna has attended East Central University and lives in Ada with her husband Malachi, a Specialist in the National Guard. Shauna is very family oriented and loves spending time with her family in Southeastern Oklahoma and Malachi's family in Washington. She is an avid reader and loves to shop and spend time with friends. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go. Dr. Seuss, Oh the Places You'll Go!

Kathy Lofton, Insurance Coordinator

Kathy joined the Ada Smile Team in 2010. She brought with her the passion for touching people's lives from 21 years of prior teaching experience. She is currently the insurance coordinator for the team and loves her job. Kathy graduated from East Central University with a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in administration. Since joining the team, she has received her x-ray certification and is Delta Dental certified. Kathy has worked with prison ministry for 8 years, and has been a life-long resident of Ada. She is married to Travis Lynn Lofton, employment services director at East Central University, and has two grown children, Justin and Lacy. Kathy loves to read, spend time outside and travel. Kathy loves to see our patients go from self-consciousness to confidence as we transform their smiles.

Jana (Balch) Ronk, Dental Assistant

Jana has been a member of the Ada Smile Team since March 2012. She brings to the team several years of dental assisting experience in the Tulsa area and also taught dental assisting for Dental Careers of Tulsa. Jana has received certifications in x-ray, polishing, nitrous and sealants. In addition, she has completed training at the Las Vegas Institute of Cosmetic Dentistry for TMD disorders and has assisted in the placement of dental implants and the sedation of patients. Jana is truly concerned about patient care, satisfaction, and comfort. She strives each day to eliminate any fears patients may have and to help them actually enjoy their dental visit. Jana is an Ada High graduate and is married to Blake Ronk, an employee of Powerlift for 24 years. They have one son, Deryk, who is attending ECU. She and her family enjoy spending time outside and traveling.