Orthodontist Albuquerque
Get to Know Dr. Kurtis Lightheart
Dr. Kurtis Lightheart was born and raised in Oregon in a family with eight kids, so he knows firsthand how important affordable dental care is! That’s why he’s proud to be a part of Valer Dental & Braces—it allows him to remove any obstacles while enabling people to have access to top-quality orthodontic care that is tailored to their needs.
Why Did You Decide to Become an Orthodontist?
Dr. Kurtis Lightheart’s journey into becoming an orthodontist in Albuquerque began after realizing that the career path in accounting he was on wasn’t enjoyable for him. Spending time shadowing other doctors and researching, he decided to redirect to the dental field. Like many kids growing up, he had braces, and reflecting upon that experience of seeing his smile change and remembering his positive interactions with his orthodontist, he knew that it was what he wanted to do.
Where Did You Study Dentistry?
Dr. Kurtis Lightheart attended Brigham Young University where he completed a bachelor’s degree in zoology. He then enrolled at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. To facilitate the financial demands of his education, Dr. Lightheart utilized the Health Professions Scholarship through the United States Army. He graduated in the top 10% of his class and then embarked on his Army career as a dentist.
While in the Army, Dr. Kurtis Lightheart applied for his orthodontic training at the UTHealth School of Dentistry, where he completed his residency and received his Certificate in Orthodontics. He also earned a Master of Science in Dentistry degree, after which he was stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Upon completion of his U.S. Army obligation, he relocated his family and started his life as a civilian orthodontist in Las Cruces before eventually joining our team.
Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?
Dr. Kurtis Lightheart has been married to his wife, Ariane, since 1998 and has five children: Ellie, Carter, Maggie, Katie, and Addie. His family loves spending time together and creating memories at every opportunity.