Dr. Watt Bishop is a Cleveland, Miss. native. He opened his orthodontic practice in Oxford in the summer of 1976. Oxford was appealing because it was located in his home state and is home to the University of Mississippi. The Tupelo portion of the practice, which is the largest, was begun in 1985. Our Desoto County office opened on Goodman Road following Dr. Todd Gililland’s return to the practice from his dental training at UAB and orthodontic residency at NYU. Todd began as a patient while at Ole Miss. He also worked in our lab while a student and with us between dental school and his residency.

Dr. Bishop’s early interest in the specialty of orthodontics included how to create facial balance and great smiles without removing teeth. This was during a period when most orthodontic treatment was done on teenagers with extraction of teeth resulting in constricted dental arches. In order to achieve balanced faces and broaden the dental arches, treatment was begun in the early elementary school years on many of the most challenging situations, especially in females. Growth potential was a key in changing the skeletal and muscle relationships, which form the environment for the teeth. This led to a two-part regime (an orthopedic phase early, then an orthodontic phase to align and fit the teeth in the middle school years) that, at times, has not been understood.

Dr. Bishop has continued to study, teach, support and be active in education at all levels. He taught in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Tennessee in the early 80’s as his practice developed. He also has been involved in a five-year National Institute of Health grant with two University of Mississippi professors to study facial and dental development and breathing patterns. He has stayed current with the latest concepts and technology to move his growing practice into the 21 st century.

Treatment advances have led to better results, more comfortably with fewer visits. Also, orthodontic treatment is more available than ever with multiple financial options. Fifty percent of our clients are covered by insurance. Clients from preschool to grandparents are experiencing the benefits of modern orthodontics.

The “people focus” of Watt Bishop Orthodontics is something Dr. Bishop is very proud of. An experienced team, with over 200 years in performing the tasks of this service organization, is excited to help you and your family meet your goals. Our positive, attractive team has focused our efforts toward listening, understanding, communicating and performing. We work “with you,” not on you. We are focused on making this process available to more people and the experience a positive one in which you see great smiles as the outcome!

Dr. Bishop is the father of five children who have been influenced by his healthy approach to life. Beau, the youngest, graduated from Oxford High in 2003 and is now attending Robert Morris University, where he is playing basketball. Jennifer graduated from the University of Texas and is working in New York. She spent the fall semester of 2001 studying in Florence, Italy. Kate is a May 2001 graduate of Sewanee and spent a semester working with women and children in Northern India. She now teaches in the delta in the Teach for America Program. Bradley spent a year teaching in Americorp and graduated from Vanderbilt. He is now pursuing his studies in New York and working in contracting and property management. Christopher, the oldest, holds a Ph.D. in history from Yale University. He has been appointed to a position with the State Department serving in Shanghai, China. He continues to work on his dissertation.