By Kathy Brown
(July 28, 2017) — Kelly Family Orthodontics is located in Middletown, but its owners, Drs. Gillian and Michael Kelly hail from Haddam. Dr. Jeffrey Bert, also from Haddam, started his practice in Middletown over 30 years ago. In Jan. 2017, the Kellys purchased the business, uniting it with the practice that they purchased from the late Dr. Paul Baldyga in 2014, who had purchased the practice from Dr. Michael Brugg. That gives Kelly Orthodontics offices in both Middletown (561 Saybrook Road) and Cromwell (26 Shunpike Road), employing 16 people. Since they share a similar philosophy of patient care and treatment, the transition has been seamless. All three doctors work well together and patients now have the benefit of having multiple professional opinions in one place.
Kelly Family Orthodontics treats children, adolescents, and adults with orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics (this straightens the teeth as well as influences the growth of the jaws). They offer braces (metal, ceramic/clear), lingual braces (braces on the back sides of the teeth where you can’t see them), and Invisalign. Two of my children had palate expanders, my husband has been fitted for a retainer here, and this is my third child in braces, so we’re very familiar with the practice.
Dr. Bert moved to Haddam in 1980. Dr. Mike and Dr. Jillian met in dental school at UConn. Though Gillian grew up in Maine, and Mike grew up in North Haven, they moved to Higganum in 2014 when they knew they wanted to settle in Connecticut and “were looking for a tight-knit community to raise their family. They welcomed their daughter Maggie in 2016 and one of her favorite things to do is go to story time at the Brainerd Memorial Library.
My two older children went through braces at Dr. Bert’s office in Middletown, and my youngest daughter just received hers two weeks ago, under Dr. Bert’s watchful eye at Kelly Orthodontics. We saw the same friendly faces that we saw at Dr. Bert’s office with my older children. According to their welcome letter, “by uniting our two practices, we will be able to offer increased availability while still providing the same excellent care.”
Dr. Bert went to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to earn an engineering degree before heading to University of Maryland for dental school, then UConn for orthodontics. Dr. Gillian Kelly graduated from Penn State with a degree in Geography prior to attending UConn dental school, and then Virginia Commonwealth University for orthodontics. Dr. Michael Kelly received a degree from UConn in biological science, before attending UConn for dental school, and University of North Carolina for orthodontics. They have all served as teachers and mentors to dental school students and orthodontic residents during their training and at their practice.
While there are currently no plans to add additional locations, the practice has been “growing very rapidly since 2014” and they are hopeful that it will continue to do so. They plan to remain “a family based and family friendly practice.” The waiting room is comfortable, with a TV, magazines, coffee, and electronic games for the children who are waiting. “We love forming personal relationships with our patients and families,” said Dr. Gillian. The Kellys will continue to invest in the latest technology, including their newest addition the practice, the intraoral scanner. The scanner will eliminate the need for dental impressions, which can be uncomfortable and cause some patients to gag. Patients especially love the treatment outcome simulator, as they are able to preview how their teeth will look following orthodontic treatment.
Both Dr. Bert and the Kellys have sponsored Little League teams in Haddam, Middletown, and the surrounding towns. They have also volunteered at Mission of Mercy (a community based organization which provides free healthcare), Give Kids a Smile Day (free oral health for underserved children), and the Special Olympics. They have supported local theater groups as well. They are members of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce.
So if someone in your family needs orthodontic work, consider Kelly Family Orthodontics, a business owned by Haddam residents.
