At the heart of Rochester Hills’ most trusted orthodontic practice stands Dr. Daia, a visionary whose generosity, artistry, and innovation have redefined what it means to deliver exceptional care. More than an orthodontist, Dr. Daia is a true artist and healer, blending science and compassion to create life-changing results. His love for beauty, from designing perfect smiles to curating an inspiring office filled with original artwork, touches every aspect of Daia Orthodontics. Beyond the walls of his practice, Dr. Daia’s deep commitment to service shines, dedicated to making a lasting difference both in his patients’ lives, in communities around the world, and through teaching and educating the next generation of dental and medical professionals. As the practice proudly celebrates 50 years of serving the community, it’s clear that Dr. Daia’s extraordinary talent and heartfelt dedication are what make this legacy truly timeless.
Raised in a family deeply rooted in healthcare, Dr. Daia’s path to dentistry was shaped by early experiences helping in his parents’ pharmacy and by the example of his grandfather, a lifelong caregiver. Though he initially aspired to study medicine, a full scholarship led him to explore dentistry. “I wasn’t sure at first that dentistry was the career I wanted to pursue. I had the will and desire to do something bigger, improving people’s lives and curing illness,” shares Dr Daia. But he soon realized that his passions for medicine, art, and engineering could find a home in dentistry when his journey took a defining turn. He had the opportunity to shadow one of the founders of his dental school, a man who not only mastered his craft but also dedicated his life to serving children and building orphanages around the world. Inspired by this mentor’s knowledge, humility, and global impact, Dr. Daia found his true calling and through orthodontics, orofacial pain management, and temporomandibular disorder treatment, he discovered the perfect way to combine his talents, serve others, and, ultimately, make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
“After practicing general dentistry, I noticed a significant information gap in the field,” Dr. Daia explains. “Very few clinicians truly understood the complex neuromuscular components of the teeth, jaws, head, and neck. I wanted to change that.”
Driven by a passion for deeper understanding, Dr. Daia pursued an intensive residency in Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) and Orofacial Pain at the University at Buffalo, culminating in a Master’s degree in Oral Sciences in 2010. “Engaging in research, from basic science to clinical trials, gave me a deep appreciation for evidence-based medicine,” he says. “It taught me how to critically analyze medical literature and apply the most advanced technologies and scientific discoveries to help my patients.”
His thirst for knowledge didn’t stop there. Seeking to make an even greater impact, Dr. Daia continued his training with an additional residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, also at the University at Buffalo, completing it in 2014.
“I was searching for a way to positively influence patients’ growth, development, and airway health, while staying true to my understanding of head and neck biomechanics,” he reflects.
“After spending time with oral surgery and orthodontic departments, I realized orthodontics was the answer—it allowed me to combine all my passions for medicine, engineering, and art.”
Dr. Daia stands among an elite few practitioners worldwide. He is a Diplomate of both the American Board of Orthodontics and the American Board of Orofacial Pain, as well as a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada—prestigious distinctions that reflect not only his unparalleled expertise but also his unwavering commitment to the highest standards of patient care. “Achieving diplomate status in these fields signifies that I have earned the recognition of my peers and exceeded the necessary skills to provide the best patient care in the field,” he says. “It comes with great responsibility, but it’s my superpower—aligning the understanding of biomechanics, tooth movement, and jaw function with the neurophysiology of pain, ultimately achieving orthopedic balance and optimal health.” His expertise spans complex conditions such as TMJ dysfunction, sleep apnea, and orofacial pain, areas in which specialists are scarce. “Witnessing the profound impact of my work on patients’ lives inspired me to create a center of excellence, a powerhouse, dedicated to serving the community with the highest standards available,” Dr. Daia adds. His rare combination of certifications and his relentless dedication to improving his patients’ health, function, and quality of life truly set him apart in the field.
What truly sets Dr. Daia apart is not only his incredible expertise but also the thoughtful, caring human he is. “I’m deeply captivated by beauty, whether it’s in the form of a smile, a sunset, or a piece of art,” he shares. This love for beauty is reflected throughout his practice—his office overlooks the serene Clinton River, offering breathtaking sunrises over Lake Angelus, and houses over 70 pieces of original artwork. “Art brings life to our walls and ceilings,” he explains, “reminding us that life, though imperfect, can still be made beautiful, just like art.” Beyond his professional life, Dr. Daia is a proud father of seven children, with the recent blessing of his sixth daughter. Family is at the core of who he is, rooted deeply in faith and love. He stays active, whether exploring the outdoors or practicing jiu-jitsu, always striving to remain grounded. His passion for humanity and his heartfelt desire to make the world a better place shine through in everything he does. “It’s not just about improving smiles,” Dr. Daia says. “It’s about making a lasting impact on people’s lives.”
Dr. Daia’s dedication to excellence in patient care has earned him the recognition as a Top Dentist in Detroit multiple times. “We treat every patient as we would want our family members treated,” he says, a philosophy that drives his practice. In 2011, he authored Low Level Laser Therapy for Management of Temporomandibular Disorders, a groundbreaking book that explores non-invasive treatments for TMD. This work is an invaluable resource, offering insights into the conservative, highly effective treatments that are available for TMD sufferers. “TMD and TMJ pain are mostly benign and treatable,” Dr. Daia explains. “With the right diagnosis and understanding of the condition’s underlying causes, most treatments are non-invasive and focused on improving the patient’s quality of life.”
Dr. Daia’s commitment to service extends well beyond his practice. He has dedicated countless hours to charitable endeavors, including volunteering for wilderness search and rescue, serving as a safety instructor for Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources, and being actively
involved with the executive board of local nonprofits. His efforts have focused on providing education to underserved populations, offering career training, crime prevention, and home safety initiatives. His passion for giving back is deeply embedded in his life philosophy, as he continuously strives to make a meaningful difference in both his community and the wider world.
In 2016, Dr. Daia took over the practice founded by Dr. William Molloy in 1975, inheriting a legacy of exceptional orthodontic care. “To date, we were able to provide 50 years of service to our Rochester community,” Dr. Daia shares. Dr. Daia’s commitment to preserving Dr. Molloy’s renowned patient care and exemplary bedside manners has been paramount. At the same time, he has infused his own professional expertise, particularly in the areas of TMD, headaches, and TMJ pain, enhancing the practice’s offerings with a holistic approach to orthodontics. “It’s not only about teeth. Patients' overall health, airway, and function has to take priority. Followed by facial aesthetics, and smile alignment,” says Dr. Daia. By blending the tradition of outstanding orthodontic service with innovative treatments for orofacial pain, Dr. Daia continues the mission of providing the highest standards of care.
Looking to the future, Dr. Daia envisions Daia Orthodontics continuing to be a leader in both orthodontics and orofacial pain management, expanding its ability to serve the community for decades to come. As the practice embraces new technologies, such as the iCat Flex 17 Scanner and iTero Lumina 5D, and integrates cutting-edge orthodontic tools like Damon Ultima brackets and Invisalign, it is poised for growth. Dr. Daia is also focused on creating educational programs to help patients develop healthy habits and working with his medical and dental colleagues to advance care across multiple disciplines.
At Daia Orthodontics, the vision is clear: to create lasting, positive change in the lives of patients, not just through excellent orthodontic results but by impacting overall health and well-being in profound and meaningful ways.