Meet Dr. Montano

 "I decided to become an orthodontist in the seventh grade when I had to prepare a career paper."

The long road to becoming an orthodontist started with Don Montano paying his own way through a junior college, San Bernardino Valley College.  After receiving an academic scholarship he transferred to the University of California, Riverside where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biology.  Next came four years of dental school at the University of California, San Francisco where he graduated with a Bachelor in Dentistry and Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). He was also honored as a University of California Regent Scholar.  To become an orthodontic specialist Dr. Montano attended the University of Washington in Seattle and received his Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD).  After ten years of college, he was finally Dr. Montano, DDS., MSD.

Dr. Montano has been in the exclusive practice of orthodontics since 1987.  In 1988 he left Los Angeles and bought his current practice in Bakersfield.  He has seen many changes over the years, but his dedication to provide a caring environment and state of the art treatment to each patient has remained.

In an effort to keep up with the ever-changing world of technology and great advances in orthodontic care, Dr. Montano regularly attends numerous training and educational seminars.  He is also an active member of several organizations, including:

• American Dental Association
• American Association of Orthodontists
• Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
• California Association of Orthodontists
• World Federation of Orthodontists
• California Dental Association
• Kern County Dental Society
• Omicron Kappa Upsilon (National Dental Honor Society)
• Rotary International Bakersfield West
• Founder of the Kern County regional chapter of Smile for a Lifetime Foundation
• Board member of the National Smile for a Lifetime Foundation 

He was personally invited to join ORMCO-Insiders, a product design group for a national supply/fabrication company.   Additionally, he is a board member of the Schulman Study Group, a prestigious North American Orthodontic study group. 

He has been married to Melinda Montano since 1990, and they have enjoyed traveling all over the world together.  Even the additions of their daughters, Hali and Chloe, have not slowed them down!  However, their excursions have become more family friendly.  In his spare time Dr. Montano takes pleasure in raising and riding horses, gardening, and tending to his large Koi pond.