Dr. Daniel Dalanhese holds the distinction of being the only board-certified orthodontist practicing in St. George — a credential that separates him from DMD-trained general dentists offering orthodontic services and from non-board-certified orthodontic specialists. Board certification in orthodontics through the American Board of Orthodontology requires a formal case presentation and examination process beyond specialty residency completion; it is a voluntary additional step that fewer than half of orthodontists pursue.
His background is unusual for a medical specialist in Southern Utah. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, he grew up in Utah, earned his undergraduate degree at the University of California, Irvine, completed dental school at Roseman University in South Jordan, and finished his orthodontic residency at Roseman's Henderson, Nevada campus. Before his clinical career he competed in professional beach volleyball in California, playing against Olympic-level athletes — a detail the practice surfaces openly and that reads as evidence of a particular kind of focused competitive discipline.
The clinical philosophy is explicit: the goal is not just aligned teeth but optimized facial profiles and airway function — a treatment orientation that engages with orthodontics as craniofacial development work rather than cosmetic straightening. The practice is at 965 E 700 S, Suite 101.
**Verification notes** Website live; board-certified-only status confirmed on practice site and corroborated by US News listing; address 965 E 700 S Ste 101 consistent across directories; DMD and residency credentials confirmed; phone 435-688-8228 confirmed.