Such a pleasure to introduce our community of moms to a multi-talented and caring orthodontist at Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. Dr. Natalie Miller (to those who may not yet know her) is also a mom who grew up in North County.
Dr. Miller has a unique story of marrying her childhood sweetheart. She and her future husband even lived on the same street growing up! I loved this element of Dr. Miller’s story and thought you would, too. Be sure to read our interview below to get a glimpse of Natalie’s North County life.
Since 2008, Dr. Miller has been one of the orthodontists at Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. She shares the practice with our longstanding marketing partner here at TNCM, Dr. Breanne Reid. They, along with their other partners, run the boutique dental practice with offices in both Solana Beach and Carlsbad. When the need for braces becomes the mission, you’re in good hands with Dr. Miller!
Becoming an orthodontist
Maria: Why did you decide to become an orthodontist? I’d be curious to know when and how that interest was sparked.
Dr. Miller: Becoming an orthodontist has been a dream of mine since I was in high school when my orthodontic journey began as a patient. I found out that I was born without permanent teeth in the front and underwent many dental procedures to make space for the teeth, help bring in others that wouldn’t erupt on their own, and ultimately place dental implants where the teeth were missing to fill my smile.
After visiting almost EVERY dental specialist, the orthodontist was truly someone I wanted to be. I wanted to help young, nervous (and sometimes awkward) children and give them the confidence to smile for the rest of their lives. It is so fun establishing a relationship with the patients and their families and watching them grow often times from 7 or 8 yrs old up through college! Some of my favorite appointments are the retainer checks of adult patients that I treated when they were in grade school. We catch up on all of their achievements and what they have chosen to do with their lives. It is truly remarkable how resilient and inspiring kids are.
Maria: How long have you been an orthodontist?
Dr. Miller: I have been practicing orthodontics for 17 years, yet it seems like just yesterday that I was finishing my Orthodontics Residency and Masters Degree in 2007 from UC San Francisco.
Early life in North County
Maria: How did you end up back in San Diego after spending time in San Francisco earning your advanced degrees?
Dr. Miller: My husband and I grew up on the same street in Carlsbad and have been together since 8th grade! He and I both vowed that we would always return to our
families in spectacular North County San Diego. We both joked that the U-haul was pre-ordered for the day after graduation :). We agreed that there is no other place we would like to start and raise a family than at home in North County San Diego. There is something intangible about this area that is SO special! Both of our families are still here, along with the weather, unbelievable outdoor landscapes, wonderful people, great schools, and often understated lifestyles here are all reasons we couldn’t resist returning home.
Yes, I can understand all those reasons for a return to North County. We’re all so fortunate that we get to call this area home.
Maria: How would you say growing up in North County and attending San Dieguito High School Academy shaped your life choices? Tell us about SDA when you were a student there.
Dr. Miller: The days at San Dieguito High School are so fresh in my memory. I loved the mix of the rigor of academics and sports they had to offer. I played varsity tennis in the fall and ran the hurdles and relays on the track team in the spring. Some of my best memories were running down to the steps at Swamis in the afternoons for training. I never knew how fortunate I was! Where else can you go to beach for lunch or have surf PE other than San Diego?
Mr. Stinson, my physics teacher, was one of the special teachers that shaped me as a student. He was focused, inspired by his job, enjoyed teaching overzealous teenagers, and was simply a class act. He not only was one heck of a physics teacher, but he also saw the potential in EVERY kid and knew how to motivate them to be a better student and human being.
Maria: I know the school has a long history. I think it may have been the first high school in coastal North County, right?
Dr. Miller: Yes you are correct! I was the 60th (and final) graduating class of San Dieguito High School before it became the San Dieguito Academy.
Tell us about your daughters
Maria: Will your children be going to their mom’s alma mater someday?
Dr. Miller: We are currently living within the Carlsbad school district so they won’t be going there, however there are SO many similarities between the schools. They have been staples in North County Coastal San Diego forever.
Maria: Speaking of your children, how old are they and how has being a mom contributed to your approach as an orthodontist?
Dr. Miller: I have two daughters. My oldest, Grace is 12 and Ashley is 8. Being a parent is the ultimate experience! What an amazing way to look at these sweet souls you’ve help create and learn so much about yourself! I have learned how high you can fly and how your soul can be crushed watching your children make their way through life. I have learned that EVERY child is different and you have to consider that when parenting and treating little ones in the office.
I keep this in mind at work everyday. I try to treat each child as if they were my own and make choices, offer treatment options, and care for each and every one of them like I would for my child. I try to be a source of guidance and confidence for parents and their children throughout their entire orthodontic journey.
Maria: How has parenthood changed you?
Dr. Miller: Parenthood is such a wild ride! It is so dichotomous. On one hand it has made me stronger. I have learned to stand up more for the things and people I believe in. I have learned how to be strong in the face of uncertainty and disappointment and be an example of how you can choose to make the best out of any situation. On the other hand, parenthood has made me softer. I have learned that some times things aren’t black and white and need a little TLC filled with extra snuggles, bedtime stories and reassurance.
The Great Smiles practice
Maria: What is the best part about being an orthodontist?
Dr. Miller: I love starting with cautious and nervous little ones and guiding them through their treatment while simultaneously watching them grow up and finish their orthodontic treatment as confident young adults. There is nothing more satisfying than that last hug or high five you get when you finish treatment! We always say “We did it!”
Maria: What is the most challenging part of your position?
Dr. Miller: The most challenging part of my position is managing a team of 25. We are all so different, and it is often times hard to please everyone while still running a patient centered practice.
Maria: How is Great Smiles unique, setting itself apart from other pediatric and orthodontic dentistry practices in North County?
Dr. Miller: Great Smiles is truly unique. It was one of the very first dual specialty practices that started over 40 years ago. We specialize in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics for children and adults. We are a boutique style practice that is truly patient centered. We believe that the needs of our patients come first and set our goals to align with that mindset. From the first new patient phone call to the final goodbye, we want our patients to have the highest quality of care possible.
Maria: Is there an age when dental and orthodontic care is or becomes more challenging for kids and parents?
Dr. Miller: Every age for care can be challenging depending on the needs of the patient. We try to treat each patient individually and take the steps necessary to ensure the best outcome. Sometimes it is as simple as scheduling patients at a quieter time in the office so they can have all the attention. Other times it is slowing down the pace of treatment to minimize discomfort and gain trust from the patient and families.
Maria: How do you deal with kids who have a fear of sitting in the dental chair? How do you ease their anxiety?
Dr. Miller: Dental anxiety is very common! Each one of our team members is trained on how to quell anxiety for patients and their parents. At the new patient phone call, we do our best to educate parents what will happen at each appointment. Our team members then give patients a tour of the office and explain the things we will be doing at the appointment. In the exam process, we do a careful diagnosis and make a treatment plan that is communicated to both the patient and their child in terms they can understand. We show them the instruments and what each of them does. At the end of each appointment we inform the families about after care and the next steps for follow up. Nine out of ten times that is all it takes!
Maria: How do you accommodate children with special needs?
Dr. Miller: Our special needs patients often become the BEST patients! We allow extra time for them and communicate with them using the best methods that work for their needs. Our pediatric dental side of the practice has the ability to bring in a dental anesthesiologist to safely sedate children if necessary.
Maria: How do the dentists and orthodontists in your practice coordinate their approaches and goals for your shared practice?
Dr. Miller: One of the things that makes our practice so special is that each of the four providers communicate effectively with each other and often work together to establish a comprehensive treatment plan that minimizes appointments and optimizes treatment outcomes.
All about North County and family
Maria: You touched on this before, but it deserves more discussion: What do you love most about living in North County?
Dr. Miller: North County is a beautiful combination of local business, spectacular landscapes, and AMAZING people. We are surrounded by so many leaders of industry and excellence!
Maria: What’s your favorite place for family fun?
Dr. Miller: The local beaches at sunset! We often pack up our dinner, pull into the wide open parking lot at 4pm, play in the waves for an hour or two, inevitably see a few dolphin, and watch the sunset. It
is my happy place.
Maria: What’s your kids’ favorite place for kid fun?
Dr. Miller: My girls are in such a fun stage of life! They are at the age where they have fallen in love with their activities and cant wait to get to them each week. They take gymnastics at Coastal Gymnastics, play completive soccer for City SC Carlsbad and dance at Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy.
Maria: Tell us more about your girls.
Dr. Miller: Grace is my reserved but mighty one. She is 12 and attends middle school. She has the softest soul, is a fierce animal whisperer, and has more creativity in her pinky finger than I do in my whole body. She loves gymnastics, ballet and is starting softball in the fall. She has taught me how to be steadfast in what you believe in and you will get there every time!
Ashley is my gregarious and powerful one. She is 8 and attends elementary. She can make friends with anyone, picks up physical activity in a heartbeat, and can make you laugh with just one look. While competitive soccer takes up most of her time, she can also be seen doing flips on the school playground while giving the principal a heart attack. She has taught me how resilient children can be in the face of adversity. We’ve had some medical challenges this year, and boy, she is a fighter!
Maria: Who is King Charles Cavalier, Harper?
Dr. Miller: Harper was our King Charles Cavalier puppy. He is no longer with the family after living a long happy life. I am a true critter lover. My husband said I would have a farm full of animals if he would allow it :).
We currently have two rescue kitties. One named Lucy who is 4 that we got from Helen Woodward and Appleseed who is 2 that I rescued from Arkansas. I am the crazy person who flew during the height of COVID to Arkansas to get Appleseed and give her a home here in SD. The “ladies” as we call them keep us on our toes, make us laugh, and teach us about unconditional love each and every day.
Time to hear about your North County faves!
Maria: What’s your favorite North County restaurant and why?
Dr. Miller: My favorite big splurge is the Pony Room at Rancho Valencia. Jimmy and I were married there, and it is magical! The food is just the right blend of great quality but not “foofy.” The live music always sets the mood to match, and the margaritas are perfect, too!
Maria: What’s the best thing on the menu?
Dr. Miller: They usually have a Sea Bass that is one of the best ever! I also feel that a meal isn’t complete without a dessert that is to die for. We like the churros and the soufflé if they have it!
Maria: Do you have a favorite restaurant countywide and why?
Dr. Miller: Mexican food is the default for our family! Whenever we have been away from home for a while, we splurge in the calorie department for a burrito and rolled tacos at Roberto’s. They are a local family owned Mexican food restaurant chain throughout the county. We also enjoy Nectarine Grove as they are a true 100% gluten free restaurant since my girls
have Celiac Disease.
Maria: Menu favorite?
Dr. Miller: They have the most amazing fajitas and GF croissants!
Maria: Are you a coffee or tea drinker? And favorite place to grab your morning brew?
Dr. Miller: My husband dreams of coffee and I dabble in it. He is a firm supporter of Lofty coffee. We grab it when we are out and use the beans when we are home. I have a special place in my heart for an Earl Grey or Jasmine Tea from almost anywhere.
Maria: Do you have any pastimes, hobbies, or sports interests?
Dr. Miller: I love to garden and have had 3 seasons of a vegetable garden. Who knew it could be so rewarding? I love cooking and baking with all of the fresh ingredients! I enjoy a good sweat at Studio Barre Carlsbad and Equinox four times a week and dabble in pickleball and family soccer games on the weekend. Caring for all of our furry family members brings me joy as well.
We’ll have to chat another time about gardening. We got a composter last year, and the compost seems to have helped our fruit trees and shrubs grow!
Maria: How do you wind down after a long day?
Dr. Miller: This is such a good question! My 40’s have taught me how important it is to care for myself so that I can bring the best version of myself to my family and workplace. I usually start with an after work workout, followed by dinner with the family to catch up on our days, sometimes a cooking show or junk TV, a snuggle with the kitties and a Calm App meditation. I try to end the day making a list of all of the good things that happened today.
Meditation is key. I try to begin my day with it. And, when I can, move into sleep in a meditative state.
Maria: Do you have a favorite spa or wellness center that you frequent?
Dr. Miller: The Park Hyatt just up the street has a wonderful spa! There is something magical about some of the providers there that make you feel like you slept for 2 weeks in an hour!
Love that property. A true Carlsbad gem!
Maria: What’s your favorite part about being a mom?
Dr. Miller: The best part of being a mom is all the laughter. Life is too short not to laugh and find humor in the small and big parts of your day. Kids say and do the funniest things and their perspectives are so truthful!
Please schedule a visit with Dr. Miller and the team at Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. With locations in both Solana Beach and Carlsbad, the offices are fun destinations for kids to visit despite the serious focus on dental health. First dental visits for children under two years are complimentary!
Learn more about Great Smiles PDO! Read Dr. Brea’s posts and our profile interviews with this exceptional North County dentist:
Stay Cool and Cavity Free — Summer Oral Hygiene Habits for Kids
What toothpaste is best for my child?
Youth Sports & Safety — Advice for Parents from Dr. Brea
Teens & Teeth — Advice for Parents from Dr. Brea
How to Brush Your Child’s Teeth
Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics — A Practice Profile
A Revisit with Dr. Breanne Reid — Great Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Written by Maria Felicia Kelley
Founder & Publisher of The North County Moms
@thenorthcountymoms | @1MariaFelicia
