A Love for What I Do
I love helping my patients attain their smile goals, one person at a time. Each person brings a wonderful, unique personality to our office, along with specific orthodontic challenges. As I work with them to create a healthy smile, I really enjoy getting to know who they are. Our conversations are always interesting and I find I really learn a lot from what my patients share with me.
Being an orthodontist is more than creating beautiful smiles. By gently moving a person’s teeth into the correct positions, I’m making it easier for proper brushing and flossing. This means a decreased likelihood of future dental disease. I’m also creating a good bite, which means less chance of muscle issues in the jaw, face, and neck.
My days are spent surrounded by laughter and beautiful smiles. I love what I do! Dr. Kevin Beitchman
Why Orthodontics?
When I was 13 years old, I told my father I want to be a dentist. I always loved smiles and I tell people that I love being an orthodontist because we create AMAZING smiles every day.
I always like to say, "no matter what language you speak, sharing a smile with someone is universal. We may not speak the same language, but you know – instantly – when someone smiles, it means something good: you have made a friend!"
Education and Continual Learning
I attended the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). Then I headed to the University of California San Francisco, for a post-doctoral Residency in Orthodontics and my Master of Science (MS).
In 1991, I opened Beitchman Orthodontics and have loved every single day of my career!
I’ve always been a firm believer that education is the surest way to achieve your dreams and to improve and enhance your abilities. As an orthodontist, ongoing education allows me to provide each patient with the ideal treatment experience and results.
Orthodontics is constantly evolving and we’ve seen some of the biggest advances within the past five to ten years. By studying the latest innovations, I am able to provide even better, more conservative, and more comfortable treatments – with stable, functional, and beautiful smiles.
In order to stay up-to-date with the newest developments, I attend numerous national, regional, and local continuing education meetings each year. These include the American Association of Orthodontists national meetings, Southwest Society of Orthodontists conferences, and meetings of the American Dental Association and local component organizations.
Further, I seek out and attend lectures on the newest and most innovative approaches in invisible aligners therapy. This ongoing, rigorous learning has allowed me to offer custom, in-house aligner therapy designed personally by me.
I also constantly look for therapies that increase orthodontic efficiency and comfort, reduce or eliminate the need for surgery, and ensure lasting changes in oral health, function, and beauty.
Professional Affiliations
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Southwest Society of Orthodontists
- Texas Association of Orthodontists
- International College of Dentistry, Fellow
- American Dental Association
- Texas Dental Association
- San Antonio District Dental Society
Beyond the Practice
I grew up in the Kansas City area; the San Antonio Hill Country has been home for my family for over 30 years, now. Linda, my wife, and I have been married for over 30 years. We have two children, who are fourth-generation San Antonians, and a dog.
Our son Joshua is a physician in residency in Dallas and our daughter Hope is a news producer for a local Dallas TV station. Of course, we love our mixed terrier who looks a lot like Toto from the Wizard of Oz!
If I’m not at the office, or studying the latest orthodontic research, I love to be outdoors. Walking our dog, hiking local trails, fishing local lakes, or trying to improve my golf game.
Giving Back
I am very passionate about giving back to the community. I am fond of saying that we all could not achieve what we have done without a lot of help along the way!
In 7th grade, a counselor, Mr. Stevens, encouraged me to follow my dream to become a dentist and laid out an educational plan for me to follow. In turn, every day I try to say “thank you” to Mr. Stevens by trying to encourage young people, especially my patients, to follow their dreams; it is my honor to sponsor educational scholarships at two local middle schools to further that pursuit and make it easier for youth.
I am an Assistant Scoutmaster with a local boy Scout Troop, too, and work with Scouts to help them learn new skills, including first aid, camping, and cooking. I love to watch their progress as they become the leaders of tomorrow!
Closest to my family and my heart, though, is a project I began in 2014 called Spring for a Teddy Bear of Love. With this project, my staff and I work with local schools, and our partner dentists, to donate hundreds of custom-built teddy bears to many area children’s hospitals. This is but a small way of offering thanks for the help that was given our family many years ago, when our son was in an NICU unit as a newborn.
One More Thing
Recently, I have had a number of former patients – people who I treated 15 or more years ago – come by the office. They’ve told me, with a beaming smile, that they get compliments every day on their beautiful smile and they say they owe it all to their orthodontist. Nothing could warm my heart more!
I am fond of saying to my staff and those in our care, “We don’t come to ‘work’ each day. We come to a place where we get to be with the nicest people, make valuable friends, and help each person have a healthier, happier life! It never feels like work: it feels like and is a privilege!”
I truly welcome the opportunity to meet and speak with you. While I would love to help create your new smile, I would be even more honored to become your friend.
