Dr. Julia H. Kang is the co-founder of Elate Orthodontics.
Artistic Background
Being an orthodontist was not Dr. Kang’s first job choice. She dreamed of becoming a professional classical pianist since the age of 4.
Dr. Kang began playing piano at a very young age and continued receiving advanced levels of art education at Seoul Arts Academy, a renowned institute for young and gifted artists. Her studies profoundly shaped her ability to transform a vision into reality. “I truly love classical music. It is more than just the sound; it is about the discipline and the order it has brought to my life,” said Dr. Kang.
It was during her senior year in high school that Dr. Kang realized she wanted a profession that would let her work with people and help them achieve the art of a beautiful smile. She determined orthodontics was a perfect career path, and the artistic precision she developed as a pianist became the foundation of how she approaches every smile.
Dental Education and Honors
Dr. Kang holds two dental degrees from two countries, a distinction that is extraordinarily rare in orthodontics.
She received her first dental degree, a DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery), from Seoul National University College of Dentistry, the most prestigious dental school in South Korea and one of the most respected dental programs in the world. Following graduation, she completed a clinical externship at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, one of the most selective dental externship programs in the United States.
She then continued her education at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her second dental degree, a DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine), graduating at the top of her class. Upon graduation she was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the national dental honor society awarded to dentists who demonstrate exemplary character and the qualities of exceptional professional growth.
After practicing general dentistry for several years in Massachusetts and Florida, Dr. Kang completed her specialty training in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics at Jacksonville University School of Orthodontics, the same program attended by Dr. Baharvand. The intensive clinical curriculum exposed residents to a diverse range of complex cases, and Dr. Kang’s results were recognized nationally: she was named a finalist for the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics Resident of the Year Award, one of the most competitive honors in orthodontic residency training in the country.
After moving to Texas, Dr. Kang has been proudly serving orthodontic patients in The Colony, Frisco, and across the DFW metroplex.
Dr. Kang’s Philosophy
Dr. Kang takes a deeply personalized approach to every patient’s orthodontic care. She enjoys getting to know her patients and their families and being a meaningful part of their lives. She understands that most people would love a beautiful smile but worry they cannot afford one, and it is her mission to change that by making the highest quality orthodontic treatment work for any budget.
Loving Mother and Wife
Dr. Kang is happily married to Dr. Baharvand. They met in Boston and were brought together by a plethora of shared interests and values. “We are a perfect team. Together we are a lot better than what we could have been individually,” said Dr. Kang. The couple has three young children, Kian, Amelia, and Liam.
Dr. Kang’s family attends Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano and are proud members of the Korean Bible Fellowship. They are strong believers in raising their children with Christian values.