Donald R. Burkhardt DDS, MS

I love making people smile! Ever since I was a child, I saw how much of a difference my father, now a retired dentist, made in the lives of his patients and I wanted to make the same kind of impact on those around me.

After attending dental school, I realized how much I enjoyed working with the public and wanted the opportunity to improve the function and self-esteem of both children and adults. Being an orthodontist allows me to be on the cutting edge of technology to produce beautiful smiles for every patient I meet.

I feel so fortunate to come to work every day and work with such an amazing team! Each team member works hard to take care of our patients as if they were family. The enjoyment we have at the office is infectious to the point that patients will ask if it is always this much fun here! I am blessed for the opportunity to work with everyone here and our wonderful patients.

My undergraduate years were spent at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where I majored in biology. I continued in the Michigan tradition by attending dental school there, where I graduated in the top of my class, and then entered the department of orthodontics to earn my Master of Science.

I am currently an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Michigan Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. I also participate in giving continuing education to dentists, hygienists, and their teams in the Lansing area. To ensure contemporary knowledge and stay on the cutting edge in the latest innovations and techniques in the specialty of orthodontics, I routinely attend continuing education seminars.

My research interests include clinical studies of the treatment effects produced by the Herbst appliance that is used in the correction of overbites.

Dr. Burkhardt is a native of southeastern Michigan and attended De La Salle High School in Warren. He currently resides in Okemos with his family. Most of his free time is spent running his children around to their various activities, including baseball, basketball, debate club, and singing. He does enjoy a good round of golf with friends in the summer, when he gets a chance. He also takes advantage of summer boating in the Great Lakes.

Dr. Burkhardt is actively involved in the community, supports local charities, and is an active member at St. Martha Catholic Parish where he and his family serve those in need. Dr. Burkhardt and his team also enjoy going into the local schools to teach the students about dental health.