Meet Kevin Baharvand | Orthodontist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Baharvand and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The idea of starting our own business really came from a shared vision between my wife, Dr. Julia Kang, and me. Back in 2019, we opened Elate Orthodontics because we wanted to build something that felt personal, thoughtful, and truly centered around families. Then in 2024, we expanded that vision by opening Tribute Family Dentistry so we could offer a full circle approach to dental care under one philosophy.

From the beginning, our goal was simple but meaningful. We wanted to provide complete dentistry with the highest level of quality, the latest innovation, and pricing that actually makes sense for families. We believe great care should be consistent, approachable, and never feel rushed or impersonal. Just as important, we wanted our offices to feel warm and familiar, the kind of place where you know your doctor and your doctor knows you.

Our motto has always been family, health, and happiness. That is not just a slogan for us. It truly guides how we practice every day. We work with families at all stages of life, helping improve their oral health and in turn supporting their overall confidence and happiness. Building our own practices gave us the freedom to practice dentistry the right way, stay deeply connected to our community, and create an environment where patients feel cared for and teams feel proud of the work they do.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Elate Orthodontics and Tribute Family Dentistry were built with intention. We did not start with the goal of becoming the biggest practice or chasing rapid expansion. We started with the goal of doing things the right way and staying true to who we are.

What truly sets us apart is that we are family owned and family operated in a world that is becoming more corporate every year. Patients feel that difference the moment they walk in. They see the same doctors, the same team, and a culture built on trust, consistency, and relationships. We know our patients and their families by name, and many of them have been with us through multiple phases of life. That is something you cannot manufacture.

From a clinical standpoint, we are obsessed with quality and efficiency. We invest heavily in technology, training, and systems so we can deliver excellent results, often in less time than expected, with minimal wait times and a smooth experience. We offer everything from early orthodontic care to complex surgical cases, as well as full family dentistry, which allows us to take care of patients under one shared philosophy. We also believe affordability matters. Great care should not feel out of reach, and we work hard to make treatment accessible through insurance, flexible financing, and honest conversations.

Getting here was not easy. There were plenty of long nights, stressful decisions, and moments where we questioned whether we were doing enough or doing it right. One thing that helped shape how I approached those challenges was earning my master’s degree in organizational leadership. It gave me a deeper understanding of people, culture, communication, and decision making. It taught me that strong businesses are built on clarity, empathy, and alignment, not just hard work.

The biggest lesson I have learned is that growth does not come from avoiding problems. It comes from facing them directly, learning from them, and staying grounded in your values. We made mistakes along the way, but we owned them, adjusted, and kept moving forward. Having a clear “why” made all the difference.

What I want the world to know about our brand and our story is that we are real people who genuinely care. We are not trying to be everything to everyone. We are trying to be exceptional for the families who trust us with their care. In a landscape that feels increasingly impersonal, we believe there is something powerful about staying human, staying local, and staying true to family, health, and happiness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting the area for a week, I would want them to experience the side of Dallas that feels balanced, energetic, and genuinely enjoyable, not rushed or touristy.

I would start with a visit to the Dallas Arboretum. It is one of my favorite places to slow down and reset. We would go in the morning when it is quieter, grab coffee, walk the gardens, and just enjoy being outside. It is peaceful, beautiful, and feels like a reset button in the middle of a busy city.

For food and evening hangouts, I would definitely take them to Legacy West in Plano. It is one of the best spots to eat well and still keep things relaxed. You can find amazing restaurants, great patios, and a fun crowd without it feeling overwhelming. It is perfect for dinner, dessert, and walking around afterward. It always feels lively but still comfortable.

On another day, I would plan a walk at Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. It is such an underrated spot. Whether you want an easy walk or something a little more active, it is a great way to clear your head and get some movement in. It is especially nice in the late afternoon when the weather cools down a bit.

Throughout the week, I would mix in casual coffee spots, long meals, and time to just talk and catch up. That is really what I love most about this area. You can have great food, nature, and community all within a short drive of each other. The best experiences here are not about doing everything, but about enjoying good company, good conversations, and places that make you feel present.

Dallas and the surrounding areas do that really well when you let them.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Without hesitation, my biggest shoutout goes to my wife, Dr. Julia Kang.

She is my partner in every sense of the word, professionally and personally. Building Elate Orthodontics and later Tribute Family Dentistry together has been an incredible journey, but it has also been a challenging one. Owning businesses, caring deeply about patients, and trying to do everything the right way can easily take over your life if you let it. She is the reason it never did.

Julia brings balance into my world. When I get pulled too far into work, numbers, or problem-solving mode, she reminds me to zoom out and focus on what actually matters. She keeps our family grounded and our practices aligned with our values. She has an incredible ability to be steady when things feel uncertain and calm when everything feels loud.

On the personal side, she carries so much that often goes unseen. She is an amazing doctor, a thoughtful leader, and a devoted mom, all while supporting me in ways that are quiet but powerful. There were moments early on when the stress of building something from scratch felt overwhelming, and she was the one reminding me why we started in the first place.

Our motto, family, health, and happiness, exists because of her. She lives it every day. Sharing this journey with her has taught me that real success is not just about growth or achievements. It is about balance, shared purpose, and building something meaningful together.

Website: https://elateorthodontics.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elate_orthodontics/

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