Dr. Maureen Kuhta is an orthodontist and owner of Michigan Smile Design. Read on to find out about how her family of 4 (soon to be 5!) just moved to a 10 acre farm in Clarkston, and what to look out for in your child to know if they should see an orthodontist!
Follow her on Instagram: @michigansmiledesign
How many children do you have and what are their names and ages?
Joseph age 4
Eddie age 2
Baby on the way due September
Where do your children go to school?
Both boys will attend Cedar Crest Academy in Clarkston for the next school year, a new school for us 😊
What made you decide to raise a family in this area?
I had the incredible opportunity to take over my childhood orthodontist practice, and it meant we got to move near family which was important for us. During the Covid pandemic we made the decision to leave Birmingham to buy a 10 acre farm in Clarkston, the town I grew up in. We say the farm found us!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My wonderful parents, who we now live next door too who are always there to offer advice, help and love for our boys 😊 and our first nanny, Lois. She was with us before kids and made strong recommendations for parenting that aligned with our values. Lois made sure we had goals as a couple and a family, helping us to create the foundation we thrive on.
Tell us about being an Orthodontist!
I absolutely love being an Orthodontist and consider it to be one of the most fulfilling professions. I went to dental school at the University of Pennsylvania and completed a two-year specialty residency at Tufts University for Orthodontics. My specialty practice focuses on Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. My personal passion is on early intervention, airway and sleep disordered breathing. There have been so many changes in the Orthodontic field in the last 15 years and more is possible than ever before. I love being able to educate my families and patients, help them understand when treatment is needed and including them in our office family.
Orthodontics is the perfect blend of art and science, while allowing for creativity and perfection. I love that my days are spent with kids, teens and adults who are excited about their progress and new smiles. It is a much work as it is social 😊 and there is nothing better than helping kids feel more confident My patients and families become friends and there is nothing better than treating them with respect and love.
I practice in Bloomfield Hills, 50 W. Big Beaver and we have been here over 40 years.
How does a parent know if their child might need to see you? What should they look out for?
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends the first exam at age seven. I do recommend an earlier exam, ages 3-6 years old, if you notice the following:
- Snoring, open mouth breathing
- Sleep apnea, poor quality sleep or frequent waking
- Open bites, crossbites
- Severe crowding in baby teeth
- Speech or feeding concerns
- Grinding
The issues above are red flags that they jaws are not growing properly or there are issues with the airway. We want to address growth deficiencies as soon as possible so they do not feed into bigger issues as the patient ages. It is also ideal to correct jaw size when a patient is still growing and not waiting to see an Orthodontist once all the adult teeth have erupt (that is often too late!).
Contact Information:
Maureen A. Kuhta, D.M.D, MS.Ed
Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
50 W. Big Beaver, Ste 215
Bloomfield Hills, MI
248-647-0696 Work
Tell us about your husband!
My husband and I are on a personal mission to spend as much time outdoors as we can, raising our own food and connecting with our children. We are (attempting) a massive garden this year, are raising chickens and bees, and hope to add more animals as we grow.
My husband, who practices in the dental field, has become a local wellness expert on detoxing, natural supplementation, and nutrition. He works with clients one on one to fine tune their wellness needs and you will always find him reading the newest books/articles on all things wellness!
What are your favorite things to do with your kids in the area?
The DIA and Avalon for lunch is one of our go-to mom dates. Parks – we love getting lunch in downtown Clarkston and playing at Depot Park, the splash pad at Clintonwood Park in Clarkston, the Planetarium and the Flint Farmers market are great for indoor fun
What are your favorite “date night” spots in the area?
A long run (when I am not so pregnant!) at Pontiac Lake Recreation park, they have a great ten mile loop and it’s the perfect was for my husband and I to connect over something we love, have time to talk and be outside. We love the Chef’s tasting Menu at She Wolf, it’s worth the splurge!
What do you do to balance your own life and motherhood? What do you do for “me” time?
I know how important “me” time is and I am proud to make it a priority. The best hours are from 5am-7am where I can move my body, spend time in my garden, read, meditate and make a fantastic oat milk latte at home. The kids are sleeping, and I prioritize what has to happen in the day, this helps me reset my mind for a busy day in my practice.
Maureen- Thank you for sharing your expertise, gorgeous travel photos, AND beautiful family with us!
