Meet Dr.
Michael Thurman
Dr. Michael Thurman approaches orthodontics the same way that he pursues everything in life—with passion and commitment to excellence, all while remembering that it’s important to have some fun along the way. "Dr. T", as his patients know him, has many hobbies. He enjoys international travel, spending weekends at the beach with family and friends, and staying active and healthy by doing CrossFit and surfing as much as his busy schedule allows.
He also enjoys scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding, and spending time in and around the ocean. Dr. T grew up playing competitive golf in Fresno, where he was a nationally ranked junior golfer, and then he went on to play collegiately for a short time at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).
Dr. Thurman’s family has deep roots in Bakersfield. His great-grandparents and grandparents moved to the area in the 1940s, and the family has been here ever since. Dr. T loves Bakersfield and its residents, and he's made it a keystone of his practice philosophy to help make his community a better place to live. You can find Dr. T and his team out supporting the community in a variety of ways and through different organizations on a near-weekly basis. He invites his patients to join him and his amazing team as they volunteer regularly at a variety of charitable organizations in Bakersfield and the surrounding areas.
Give props to Dr. Thurman–he's the main man here and takes one-on-one time out for you, his patient.
Background & Education
Dr. T received the highest honors from UCSB, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He then finished dental school ranked #1 in his class of 80 students at the University of California, San Francisco, graduating with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Finally, Dr. Thurman trained at the prestigious University of Washington’s Department of Orthodontics, where he obtained both a Master’s of Science in Dentistry and his orthodontic certification.
In order to provide the best possible care to his patients, Dr. Thurman regularly attends continuing education courses and is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and the California Dental Association. He is highly trained in the Damon Smile System and is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign.