Meet the Family

Family Owned & Operated

A smiling young man with short brown hair, wearing a blue checkered blazer over a light blue checkered shirt, standing against a plain gray background.

William R. Bates, DMD, MS

Originally from Huntsville, Alabama, Dr. William Bates brings a unique blend of Southern charm and academic excellence to his orthodontic practice. He began his journey in healthcare with a bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where he also earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Driven by a passion for creating confident smiles, he continued his education at the prestigious University of Michigan, completing a Master's in Orthodontics.

Dr. Bates is committed to advancing the field of orthodontics through both practice and education. He is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association. He also shares his knowledge with the next generation of orthodontists as a part-time faculty member at the UAB Orthodontics Residency Program and as the Clinical Director at the orthodontic residency program at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. Additionally, he serves as co-course director of the internationally respected Tweed Study Program, where he teaches residents and orthodontists from around the world.

Outside the office and classroom, Dr. Bates enjoys traveling, playing golf, and seeing Dave Matthews Band in concert. He and his wife, Kathryn, have seen DMB over 60 times and you’ll see their collection of posters from each concert on the office walls.

Dr. Bates is passionate about helping people achieve healthy, beautiful smiles in a caring and welcoming environment. He looks forward to meeting you!

A smiling woman with shoulder-length wavy brown hair, wearing a yellow t-shirt, red skirt, and a small cross necklace, standing against a plain gray background.

Kathryn T. Bates, DMD

Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Dr. Kathryn Bates brings both heart and talent to Bates Orthodontics. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Birmingham-Southern College and went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

While she occasionally steps in to see patients when Dr. Bates is away teaching, Dr. Kathryn also wears many hats behind the scenes—helping manage the day-to-day operations and keeping the practice running smoothly. Her attention to detail, organization, and dedication to patient care make her an invaluable part of the team.

Outside the office, Dr. Kathryn works as a general dentist and serves as an adjunct faculty at both the UAB School of Dentistry and the UTHSC College of Dentistry. She is dedicated to her community by serving on the boards of two local non-profits, Bash on the Bluff and the Bluff Park Women’s Recreational League. She also enjoys spending time with her husband, Dr. William Bates, and their dog, Roux, traveling and being outdoors.

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Roux Bates, DOG

Dog-tor Roux is our official welcoming committee when she decides to join us for the day. Known for her gentle and non-chalant presence, Roux is known for being the dog that everyone likes - even those that claim they don’t like dogs. A quote often heard in our office is, “I don’t like dogs, but I like THAT dog!”

At Bates Ortho, our team members are an extension of our family. We are firm believers in a happy and healthy work and life balance. Our team is full of strong, beautiful, people that are mothers, daughters, concert-goers, vacation takers, and so much more. We appreciate the time they take out of their busy lives to spend with us most days of the week! We are proud of our team members and what they are capable of in both their roles in our office and their roles in life.

Each team member is trained and trusted by Dr. Bates to help him provide exceptional care for our patients. We can’t wait for you to meet them!