March 20, 2025
Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics is proud to partner with the Lindbergh Schools Foundation as a 2024-2025 Year-Long Aviator Sponsor. Dr. Justin Firth, a Lindbergh alumnus, has deep roots in the Lindbergh community, both personally and professionally. “I’ve grown up with a lot of Lindbergh pride. The community at Lindbergh made it easy for everyone to thrive,” he shared. With many of their orthodontists being Lindbergh graduates—including Dr. Kevin Kaiser, a 2008 Lindbergh High School graduate—and a significant number of Lindbergh students seeking treatment at their practice, supporting the Foundation is especially meaningful. “For the most part, all of our employees are Lindbergh people. Some may not have attended Lindbergh, but they’ve been part of the Lindbergh community in one way or another.”
Founded in 1973 by Dr. George Bankhead, Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics has grown from a solo practice into a trusted, family-owned group with five locations across the St. Louis area, including Sunset Hills, Oakville, Eureka, Waterloo, and Columbia. Dr. John Firth (Dr. Bankhead’s son-in-law), Dr. Kevin Kaiser, and Dr. Justin Firth lead the practice with a strong commitment to patient care and community involvement. “Bankhead is my maiden name, and all the Bankheads went through Lindbergh,” Dr. Firth noted, emphasizing the practice’s deep ties to the district.
Their commitment to Lindbergh extends beyond patient care—Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics actively provides opportunities for Lindbergh students. “We recently hired a Lindbergh graduate through an internship program, and we had her interacting with patients almost immediately. She’s been doing really well!” Dr. Firth explained. He sees Lindbergh’s values reflected in both his practice and the alumni who work with him. “Lindbergh is a community-centered school that does a great job of being inclusive and providing quality instruction. There’s really not just one way to teach someone—I’ve learned that firsthand while training our assistant.”
For students considering a career in orthodontics or healthcare, Dr. Firth offers encouraging words: “You shouldn’t give up because it’s very hard and a very long road—but it’s worth it. You don’t have to be born with any special talent to become an orthodontist or a doctor. I truly believe anyone can do it.”
Their sponsorship is a testament to the importance of local business involvement in education. “We are so connected with education—not only do we work in the Lindbergh community, but we are surrounded by its educators and staff members every day. It really goes to show how important community is and how much we need to support one another. Lindbergh is the whole package—I loved it when I was there, and it’s only gotten better.”
