Meet the Doctors
Dr. Michele Strait
Foundation
Born in Colorado, Dr. Michele Strait moved closer to her family roots in Michigan when she was twelve. She spent half a decade in orthodontic treatment with headgear and braces, which may explain her passion for aligning teeth in a way that is comfortable. After the University of Michigan undergraduate school, she continued to the school of Dentistry, graduating with honors.
Following graduation, she began her career by surrounding herself with knowledgeable mentors. Dr. Strait worked in group dental practices in Chicago and then in Austin with multiple dentists and dental specialists.
Since she has made Texas home, she has been captivated by the food, wine, music, art, and rich culture that Austin offers. Dr. Strait has made the Austin area her home and soaks up time in the warm weather running through the greenbelt, feeding up at a food truck, and checking into a funky festival. As a long-time resident of Brentwood, she loves visiting the local restaurants and shops on Burnet Road—you just might see her there!
Focus
For more than ten years, she practiced alongside many dental professionals with various philosophies and refined her perspective. Dr. Strait has a strong passion for dentistry, continuing education, and helping others. She uses the latest dental techniques, such as digital full mouth scanning, and has advanced training in CAD-CAM dental technology. She also provides specialized treatment in many dental services, minimizing the need for a patient to be sent to a specialist outside of Strait Smile Studio.
She is excited to meet you and cannot wait to continue supporting your dental care.
Her inspiration for care is based on the individual needs to fit individual patients. Dr. Strait’s priority is to serve her new patient family by getting to know you and your needs before treatment begins.
Future
Bringing out her patient’s best smile is her driving force for the future.
Dr. Strait is passionate about staying on the leading edge of dentistry and invests hundreds of hours into ongoing training each year. She is a dental nerd at heart who will never stop pushing herself to be at the top of her field.
Dr. Strait is an active member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. She has been a leader in the dental community, serving as President of the Women of Austin Dental Society and a board member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners.
She also is a mentor to her peers in dentistry across the country. She continues to be a premier speaker for Invisalign® and travels to educate other dentists on utilizing clear aligner treatment.
Dr. John Babineau
Foundation
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, and raised in Claremont, New Hampshire, Dr. John Babineau attended the University of New Hampshire, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. After graduating from UNH with a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry, Dr. Babineau had the opportunity to move to Boston to attend dental school, where he met his future wife, Dr. Lori.
Dr. Babineau graduated with his Doctorate of Medicine in Dentistry from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and had an opportunity to practice with a faculty member in the Restorative Department at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. This experience in working closely with a highly experienced clinician provided him with the foundation to treat challenging and complex dental cases. While the experience of living in Boston was exhilarating both academically and culturally, Dr. Babineau decided to move to Texas, where his wife was born and raised.
Dr. John Babineau and his wife established their practice in Austin in the early nineties and practiced together until 2018. Dr. Babineau also has another dental business that helps the Military Reserves and National Guard maintain their dental readiness.
Focus
Dr. Babineau is a high-touch, relationship-driven clinician who is very passionate about dentistry and is dedicated to ensuring that every patient has a comfortable and relaxing experience. He believes in fully educating his patients about their dental conditions, the consequences of not treating issues, and the solutions to fix or improve the situation. Dr. Babineau will take the time to answer your questions and design custom treatment plans to meet each individual’s needs.
Dr. Babineau is committed to being a lifelong learner and has spent thousands of hours in continuing education to address cosmetic dental problems and complex dental conditions. TMJ treatments, treating bite and teeth wear diseases, he understands the impact of oral health on systemic health and visa versa. His wheelhouse includes TMJ treatments, bite and teeth issues, implant dentistry, and treatments for snoring and sleep apnea.
Future
Dr. Babineau has been helping patients improve their dental health for over 30 years and is constantly taking advanced continuing education training to bring the best evidence-based techniques, materials, and technology to his patients.
His goal is to help all his patients attain optimum dental health resulting in lasting, confident smiles. The future is bringing in the best technology to enhance what he already knows as great treatment.
