Dr. Dempsey Smith is a native of St. Paul’s - a small town in southeastern NC. After graduating as Valedictorian of his high school class, he attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. At UNC, Dr. Smith was named to the Dean’s List and recognized as a Penzoil Scholar.
While attending dental school at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Smith achieved several honors including induction into the national dental honor society Omicron Kappa Epsilon, the William S. Kramer award of Excellence, and the Health Professions Military Scholarship Program. Dr. Smith graduated first in his graduating class, achieving the highest average in both clinical skills and didactic coursework.

Dr. Smith then received his Masters of Science degree in Orthodontics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, widely recognized as one of the leading orthodontic training programs in the country. During his tenure at UNC, he was elected president of his residency class and received the prestigious Andrew Brooks Fellowship in Orthodontics. Dr. Smith defended a thesis in the area of computer simulation of combined orthodontic and orthognathic surgery treatment outcomes. This work was later published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

Upon completion of orthodontic training, Dr. Smith entered active duty in the United States Navy where he served for four years and achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He completed Officer Indoctrination School in Newport, Rhode Island, and was subsequently stationed at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. While in Portsmouth, Dr. Smith served as the head of the Orthodontics Division and mentored residents in both the General Practice and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Programs. In this capacity, Dr. Smith provided both didactic and hands on training. In addition, he served as the orthodontic advisor for the hospital’s Craniofacial Board and Orthognathic Surgery Review Board, both teams of specialists assembled to treat complex conditions such as cleft lip and palate and other dental and skeletal problems. Dr. Smith credits his time in the Navy for experience treating complicated orthodontic and surgical cases, many of which involved collaboration with multiple dental specialists.

Dr. Smith is an active member in several professional organizations at the local, state and national levels, including the American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Southern Association of Orthodontists, North Carolina State Dental Society and the University of North Carolina Orthodontic Alumni Association. Locally, Dr. Smith is a member of the Durham/Orange Dental Society where he serves on the executive council as member-at-large and is treasurer of the Triangle Dental Study Club. In addition Dr. Smith is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.

Dr. Smith is married to his high school sweetheart, Stacey. They have two daughters, Peyton and Sarah-Morgan and a son, Jack. Dr. Smith enjoys ACC sports, photography, the beach, and home improvement projects. The Smith’s live in Durham.