Danielle Godley was in eighth grade getting her braces adjusted when she had an epiphany. She wanted to one day become an orthodontist.
“It may sound strange – I mean, my orthodontist even gave me headgear – but I had such a great experience with my own orthodontic treatment that I wanted to do the same for others,” says Godley, who never wavered from that dream. She studied at Anderson University before graduating from IU’s School of Dentistry. She then went to the University of Michigan for additional training.
In 2015 she and her husband relocated to Texas for several years before moving back to Indiana. Having worked in various corporate dental group settings, Godley came to realize that she longed to open an orthodontic practice of her own where she could provide personalized patient care. In 2022 she opened Godley Family Orthodontics. Though starting a business can be a daunting endeavor, Godley had a clear mission from the start.
“I knew that I wanted to serve others and inspire joy,” she says. “I’ve stuck to those core values and I run all my business decisions through that lens.”
Godley has no interest in seeing hundreds of patients a day. She wants to get to personally know each of her patients and involve herself in every appointment.
“I love what I do, and that includes doing wire bending and adjustments myself,” she says.
Godley was also keen on creating an office with a calming, welcoming vibe – one that offered a slower pace that enabled her to give genuine, dedicated time to her patients to give each the perfect smile and bite.
“There is no one-size-fits-all, because no patient is ever the same,” she says. “It’s like figuring out a puzzle.”
At Godley Family Orthodontics, they treat all ages, which means they see young children who have never been to an orthodontic office before. As such, they are often initially anxious about the appointment. That anxiety, however, soon melts away.
“Our team builds a connection with each child, and has them smiling and laughing by the end of the appointment,” says Godley, who has two daughters of her own: Grace (a second-grader) and Lola (a kindergartener).
It was important to Godley to create a modern, digital practice so her patients can receive the most comfortable, safe and efficient experience possible.
“I’m not even equipped to take those gross putty impressions,” she says, noting that instead, they have a digital scanner that takes detailed pictures of the mouth. She uses these images to create custom appliances like Invisalign, retainers and expanders. “No more goop!” she says.
Godley recently began incorporating 3D printed appliances into her practice, which has eliminated the use of separators or spacers.
“They are custom made for patients, and go on easily and comfortably,” she says. “It makes the process a lot smoother and simpler for patients.”
Gone are the days of those tiny elastic things for flossing, and no more big metal rings. Since expanders are 3D printed, they fit on top of the tooth, almost like a little hat. This enhanced technology eliminates the need for some in-person appointments, which means children don’t have to miss school and adults don’t have to take off work.
“It has streamlined the process for families,” says Godley.
Her practice is research based. She never uses any gimmicky appliances.
“If I recommend something, it’s because I know that it works, and there is science behind it,” Godley says.
One reason she loves working in this field is because it combines her love of science and art.
“I’ve always enjoyed creativity and science, and this profession is a really good mix of both,” she says. “I’m able to design someone’s smile by scientifically planning how to move a tooth into a place that it needs to be, and how to stabilize it and keep it there.”
She also rejoices in witnessing the transformation she sees in her patients – not just in their mouth, but also in their demeanor. She’s seen many patients who simply refuse to smile because they are self-conscious about their teeth. Following treatment, however, these same people are proudly flashing their megawatt smiles because their self-confidence has grown exponentially.
Patients tell Godley and her team that they are grateful for the care and customer service. They also appreciate the office aesthetic, which includes fresh flowers and plants as well as windows that usher in lots of natural sunlight. Godley also has a space in the office that features local artists. Julie Davis, a Zionsville artist, painted a canvas mural that is currently on display.
Godley and her team enjoy giving back to the community. In addition to spotlighting local artists, she sponsors many schools and events, and offers a discounted patient rate to teachers, police officers, firefighters and military personnel. Godley also donates to organizations that align with her science and art passions, such as the STEM Connection, which engages youth in STEM principles through accessible, nature-related experiences. Plus, Godley created a not-for-profit program called Yeti-Set-Smile, through which patients can adopt a stuffed animal yeti, and all the proceeds go to orthodontic treatment for pediatric cancer survivors.
“We have adopted the yeti as our office mascot,” says Godley. “They are these magical, epic creatures that exhibit a sort of quiet strength, and ability to make people smile. We have developed yeti stickers, tokens and fun tag lines around them.”
Thanks to social media, Godley has connected with other female orthodontists who began their orthodontic start-up journeys at the same time she did. As a result, they have formed a support group to check in on and encourage one another as they face and overcome different challenges.
“These women have been an inspiring support system,” says Godley, who is also a part of the Women in Orthodontics Facebook forum and other ortho groups. “I feel fortunate to be in the profession I’m in, and to have bonded with these incredible women orthodontists.”
Godley Family Orthodontics is located at 12036 North Michigan Road, Suite 110 in Zionsville. For more information, call 317-913-2828 or visit godleyfamilyortho.com.
