The Bankhead Legacy

In 1973, Dr. George Dee Bankhead settled in St. Louis with his wife Anita and their young family. He started up a solo practice and so began the legacy of Bankhead Orthodontics in the Midwest. Eventually, Dr. Bankhead was joined in practice by his son, Dr. Brent Bankhead and his son-in-law, Dr. John Firth. The solo practice grew to six locations! 

Dr. Dee & Anita

Dr. Brent & Laurice

After Dr. George Dee Bankhead retired in 2005, Dr. Brent and Dr. Firth each purchased three of his offices. They worked closely together over the years that followed to help each of their practices to grow. To this day, Dr. Firth still practices in the southern St. Louis area under the name Bankhead and Firth.

Dr. Brent Bankhead continued the legacy of the Bankhead name by establishing a presence in the western St. Louis area through new locations in O’Fallon, Wentzville, Chesterfield, and Warrenton, MO. During this time, Dr. Brent decided to form a small group of hand-selected doctors to be part of his team, and the practice eventually took on the name of Bankhead Orthodontic Specialists.

A word from Dr. Brent - 

“I feel blessed to continue the great orthodontic legacy that my father started over 40 years ago. I learned early on about the many benefits of orthodontic care as I grew up working in my father’s office as a young teenager. Seeing all the lives that my father touched and the joy upon their faces made me realize that orthodontics was the perfect profession for me. Nothing beats the opportunity to meet so many amazing people, watch their children grow, and really make an impact on their lives.”

Dr. Darren Rodabough joined the practice in 2008. Together with Dr. Brent, they continued the growth of Bankhead Orthodontic Specialists. In 2014, Dr. Darren’s brother-in-law, Dr. Alex Oldroyd, joined the practice as well.

Dr. Darren & Family

Dr. Alex & Family

While at a dental conference, Dr. Brent and Dr. Darren met Dr. William Heintz who had his own practice in Alton, IL just across the river. After a long career in orthodontics, Dr. Heintz was ready to retire and be with his family in Chicago, so he decided to join forces with them. The doctors connected and formed the team of specialists and staff we now know today. After a few years of working together, both Dr. Brent and Dr. Heintz retired -- leaving their legacy to carry on through us! They are both still very much a part of the heart and soul of our practice today.  

A word from Dr. Heintz - 

“What can I say, I love being an Orthodontist! It was the perfect career choice for me. It is a career that is challenging, but enormously gratifying. I was born and raised in Alton. It was a dream come true for me to come back and give back to the community that helped shape me into the person that I am today. It has been an honor for me to be in service to my hometown. I love seeing patients transition and grow into their new smile. I love helping them develop positive self-esteem and a feeling of self-worth. I am personally and professionally rewarded each time I work with my team to help a patient achieve a “work of art,” beautiful smile that can be theirs for life. A wise man once said, “if you find something you love you will never work a day in your life.” That’s the way it is for me being an Orthodontist.”

Dr. Heintz & Ellen

Dr. Heintz & Family

The Bankhead name offers a rich legacy in the metro area.  The heritage of our company relies greatly on the leadership, wisdom and excellent standard of care taught to us. We wish to honor those who brought us together by continuing the legacy of the Bankhead name. Our goal remains the same: that our patients can rely on being treated like family, while being offered the most excellent orthodontic care possible.