Dr. Yvette Battle, an African American orthodontist from Chicago, Illinois, opened a practice to give patients more than just orthodontic care. When she opened Bronzeville Orthodontics in 2021, she created a space that reflects Black culture while also giving patients access to a Black orthodontist in a field where that representation is limited.
Her path to opening the practice came after years of education and service. Battle graduated from Howard University, worked as an Air Force dentist, and later became an orthodontist. She eventually decided she wanted to work for herself after feeling that her contributions were not being fully valued. “I was working for others, and I just didn't feel as appreciated. Why don't I just do this for myself?” she told ABC 7 Chicago.
The lack of Black orthodontists had also become clear throughout her career. A 2026 report published by the National Library of Medicine found that Black people make up only about 3% of orthodontists in the United States. Black women represent an even smaller portion of the profession. Battle understood early that she was entering a specialty where people who looked like her were uncommon. “I knew that my skills and my knowledge and my education could hold up against anyone,” she said. “I will say Howard did prepare us for that - to know that this, this is rare.”
That reality is part of what makes her Bronzeville office meaningful to some of her patients. Instead of keeping the space strictly traditional, Battle filled it with Black artwork, merchandise, and personal touches that reflect her identity. Her style carries into the way she presents herself at work, creating an environment patients describe as more relaxed and familiar. One patient, Kosi Amore, said she feels more at home there and often finds herself laughing during visits. Another patient, Kosi Amor, said finding Black dentists was easier than finding Black orthodontists.
Still, the practice is not only about representation. Battle wants orthodontic treatment to help patients feel confident when they move into the next stage of their lives. She hopes a patient finishing treatment will feel comfortable smiling at a job interview, speaking with someone they like, or simply carrying themselves with more confidence. “I want them to go out and, you know, get that job now that they got their braces off and, you know, to smile confidently or talk to that girl or, you know, go to that interview,” she said.
Battle also sees her work as an example for younger people, including her daughter. Rather than simply finding a place in an established profession, she wants the next generation to understand that they can create opportunities for themselves. Her journey from Howard graduate and military dentist to business owner has become part of that message. “I would hope for that to be my legacy,” she said. Bronzeville Orthodontics is accepting new patients.