The Pankey Directory

Born and raised in Detroit, Dr Balaze received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan where he also played varsity baseball. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Detroit in 1976 and continued to teach at that institution until the mid eighties. After serving in the Navy from 1976-1978 he joined his dental school classmate Dr. Gary Barnard, also a Pankey alumnus, in private practice in Lapeer, Michigan. Dr. Balaze practices all phases of general dentistry and has special interest in orthodontics, TMJ and bite disorders which led him to pursue further education at the Pankey Institute. He has well over 1,000 hours of continuing education in various aspects of dentistry. He is a member of many professional associations and study clubs and combines a passion for hockey and dentistry by serving as the team dentist for "College Hockey at the Joe" at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Brian and his wife Mary Beth have 3 grown sons, 2 of which will follow their father with careers in dentistry. He received his Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry along with his oldest son Daniel in the summer of 2014.

The name of the practice, Directions in Dentistry, and its logo, a lighthouse, are symbolic of our mission to guide our patients to better oral health using values of respect, integrity, and compassion as our true north compass. We accomplish this by taking the time to know our patients and understand their desires, fears, and motivations and couple that with a thorough and complete examination that evaluates all aspects of oral health. A treatment plan is then developed that combines the patient's desires along with their oral health needs and delivers treatment at an appropriate pace.