Meet Our Fort Smith Dental Team
A Dedicated Team Focused on Superb Patient Care
Dr. Cooper and Dr. Harper know that they can’t do everything on their own; a large part of making every one of their patients feel as comfortable as possible is having a highly-skilled, expert dental team in their corner. Each one of our staff members isn’t just experienced and well-versed in dentistry, though – they understand that every patient deserves patience, compassion, and respect. When you’re here, you’ll feel like a welcome part of our dental family. Keep reading to learn a little more about some of the faces you’ll see when you come to visit us at Harper Dental in Fort Smith.
Get to Know Justin Cooper, DDS
When it comes to careers, dentistry checks every box for Dr. Cooper. He loves how the field is so unique, allowing dentists to be truly creative as they restore smiles in ways that are tailored for each patient’s needs and goals. There’s an undeniable artistic component that he truly loves! Whether he’s creating a simple filling or planning out a much more advanced case, the relationships that develop along the way are what truly make everything worth it.
Interested in learning more about Dr. Cooper? Just keep reading below, or contact our Fort Smith dental office today to schedule a first visit.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Dentist?
Dr. Cooper was a junior in college, studying hard to become a pharmacist, when he overhead a conversation that would change the trajectory of his life. Two of his close friends were talking about a pre-dental meeting and preparing their resumes for dental school applications. They spoke with so much passion and excitement about the possibility of becoming a dentist that Dr. Cooper had to ask them how they were so confident about the decision. They asked him to join a pre-dental meeting to learn more and even connected him with a doctor he could observe in-office.
From that moment on, Dr. Cooper saw exactly what they were talking about and how great a profession dentistry was – how it allowed you to connect and help people, work with hands, and experience an amazing amount of variety every day!
Where Did You Study Dentistry?
After attending the University of Arkansas, Dr. Cooper pursued his dental doctorate at the University of Tennessee Health and Science Center. He then worked as a dentist in the River Valley and NWA for a handful of years before joining Harper Dental in September of 2024.
Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?
Dr. Cooper just got married to his wonderful wife Megan in August of 2024! Since she is from Fort Smith and he’s from Greenwood, they decided that coming back to the River Valley and serving its community was an exciting opportunity for the two of them. They met at a Razorback football game several years ago, on the 21st night of September (yes, like that Earth, Wind, and Fire song), they’re both HUGE Hog fans and always enjoy rooting on their favorite team with family and friends.
Some of Dr. Cooper’s other favorite hobbies include golfing, fishing, gardening, grilling, drawing with pencil, playing guitar, and playing with his two dogs – a lab named Sadie and a Goldendoodle named Floyd.
Get to Know Dr. Mitchel Harper
Dr. Mitchell Harper has been practicing exceptional dentistry for over 40 years in Fort Smith. He truly loves his vocation and looks forward to going to the office to see his patients each day. In addition to helping people change their lives through innovative dentistry, Dr. Harper cherishes maintaining and developing long-lasting relationships with everyone he cares for.
Dr. Harper is a graduate of Northside High School, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and the Texas A&M College of Dentistry. He has been on many medical mission trips, which led to his family founding the Jeremy Harper Memorial Medical Clinic in Nigeria in 2006 that is still sponsored by them to this day. Dr. Harper is a past President of many professional organizations, including the Fort Smith Dental Association and the Northwest Arkansas Dental Society.
He is a lifelong resident of Fort Smith where he lives with his wife, Robin. He has two beautiful children, Elizabeth and Chandler (along with their spouses, Chase and Ingrid), as well as two beloved grandchildren, Sheppard and Olive.
