Dr. Michael Stewart moved to Atlanta in 1969 from central Florida to attend Emory Universitys School of Dentistry. Upon completing his dental education, he remained at Emory and received advanced training and specialty certification in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.
Following his specialty training, Dr. Stewart served as an Assistant Professor in the departments of pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. While on the faculty, he practiced in the section of plastic and reconstructive surgery in the Emory Clinic, and later served as Director of Orthodontics in the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at Scottish Rite Childrens Hospital. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Dr. Stewart is recognized as a national leader in advanced diagnostic and treatment techniques. For years he has shared his mastery of computerized orthodontic diagnosis and currently serves on the advisory boards of numerous technology-based orthodontic manufacturers and service providers. Dr. Stewart was an original member of Align Technologys Alpha Group and Speakers Bureau. He and his wife, Dr. Melisa Rathburn, have presented on a national level numerous advanced programs on the application and management of the Invisalign technique.
Together, Drs. Stewart and Rathburn have six children, three of whom have completed graduate studies in various disciplines of public service. Their interests include family adventure travel, skiing, and perpetual home remodeling.
Dr. Melisa Rathburn grew up in Texas and Louisiana, attended Louisiana State University, and received her D.D.S. from Marquette University School of Dentistry. She then received her advanced training in Orthodontics at Emory University and has practiced with her husband, Dr. Michael Stewart, as part of Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists, since 1990. Their son, Dr. Tyler Rathburn, joined the practice in 2014.
Dr. Rathburn is a member of the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists and the Georgia Association of Orthodontists. She was a founding member of the Center for Craniofacial Disorders at Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta.
Atlanta Orthodontic Specialists has employed Suresmile 3-D diagnostics, treatment planning and orthodontic treatment since 2004. Dr. Rathburn has lectured worldwide on Suresmile 3-D orthodontic technology and is currently directing the Suresmile training program for Orametrix.
Drs. Rathburn and Stewart are blessed with six children and 7 grandchildren. Dr. Rathburn has served on the Board of Trustees for Holy Innocents Episcopal school where her children attended school and coached soccer and basketball where she is known in the community as Coach Missy. She and her husband enjoy skiing, traveling and perpetual home remodeling.
Dr. Kenneth Starling grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. He attended Marist School (76) and Georgia Tech (80), where he received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Dr. Starling received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (85) at Emory University and practiced general dentistry for five years before returning to Emory University School of Post-Graduate Dentistry for a Certificate in Orthodontics in 1992.
Dr. Starling is an active member of many professional organizations at the local, state, and national levels, including theAmerican Association of Orthodontists, theAmerican Dental Association, the Hinman Dental Society, the Georgia Association of Orthodontists, and the Gwinnett Challenge Study Club. Dr. Starling was previously the President of the Georgia Association of Orthodontists and currently serves as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Starling served on staff at Scottish Rite Childrens Medical Center as a member of the Craniofacial-Cleft Palate team. He offers continuing education classes and workshops for dental staff in the area.
Dr. Starling and his wife, Flo Starling, have three children, Grace, Kent, and Patrick, who all attended Marist School before entering their undergraduate and graduate programs. Dr. Starling and Flo Starling previously served as members of the Parents Council at Agnes Scott College (2012-2016). Dr. Starling and his wife enjoy visiting their son in Oxford, Mississippi. Dr. Starling enjoys mountain biking, Downhill snow skiing, sailing, and spending time with his friends and family.
As an Eagle Scout, Dr. Starling was continually active in scouting as an assistant scoutmaster, while his boys were scouts. He was also involved in the community as a youth baseball, basketball, and softball coach. Dr. Starling and his family help organize the Marist School Central Presbyterian Mens Shelter community service events in downtown Atlanta.