Meet Dr. Mylan Young, Orthodontist in Harrisonburg, VA

A Virginia Native, Back Home in the Valley

Dr. Young was born and raised in Northern Virginia, where she grew up visiting the DC cherry blossoms and the Smithsonian museums every year. Her parents, Paul and Kimberly Young, came to the United States as refugees during the Vietnam War, and she credits much of her drive to the gratitude they instilled for the opportunities they found here. She is one of three daughters, alongside her sisters Alana and Lanvy and a fourth furry “daughter,” their Poochon pup, Coco.

After years of training out of state, joining a practice here in the Shenandoah Valley brings her full circle. She is excited to settle into the Harrisonburg community and to become a familiar face for the families we are proud to care for.

Education and Orthodontic Training

Dr. Young brings strong academic and clinical credentials to our team. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from George Mason University, graduating summa cum laude, then completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA and Honors.

She went on to complete her orthodontic residency and earn her Master of Science in Orthodontics at the University of Michigan. Her research there focused on calibrating force-torque sensors and testing newly developed 3D printed aligners, giving her firsthand insight into modern clear aligner treatment and the kind of detail-oriented, evidence-based approach she brings to every treatment plan.

You can meet the rest of our orthodontic team and see what sets our practice apart.

A Commitment to Community and Care

Long before she arrived in Harrisonburg, Dr. Young was putting her training to work for people who needed it most. Inspired by the kindness shown to her family when they first arrived in the country, she co-founded UNC’s first mobile dentistry clinic, the SMILE Clinic, which traveled to communities to provide free care for those who could not easily get to a dentist. She and her co-founder were selected as one of just 20 teams of women across the United States and Canada to become Aerie Changemakers, an honor that came with a $20,000 grant to launch the clinic.

She also helped run the Vidas de Esperanza Clinic, where she and her classmates delivered more than $106,000 in free care to Spanish-speaking patients. For her dedication to underserved communities, she was named a national Albert Schweitzer Fellow. That spirit of giving back fits naturally with our own commitment to the Harrisonburg community.

The Care Dr. Young Provides

As a family orthodontist, Dr. Young provides orthodontic evaluations, braces, Invisalign and clear aligner treatment, and retention care for patients of every age. She treats the full range of orthodontic concerns, including crowded teeth and gaps between teeth, along with bite problems such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. For each patient she builds a personalized plan aimed at both a confident smile and lasting oral health.

Her care spans every stage, from a child’s first early orthodontic evaluation to treatment for teens and discreet clear aligners for adults. She takes the time to understand each patient’s goals and to explain the options in plain language, so you always know where your treatment is headed and why.

At your first appointment, our team walks you through a complete exam and a personalized plan, with clear answers on timing and cost before anything begins. Here is what to expect at your first visit.

Bringing Dr. Young on also means more appointment times and easier scheduling for your family, so the care you have been considering is simpler to start.

Why Choose Dr. Young in Harrisonburg

Choosing an orthodontist is a personal decision. Dr. Young brings advanced training from the University of Michigan together with a genuine, unhurried approach to care. She believes patients make their best decisions when they understand their options, so she takes the time to explain each step in plain language, whether you are considering braces or Invisalign.

She also joins a practice that families across the Shenandoah Valley have trusted since 1989. Giardina Orthodontics holds a 5.0 star rating across more than 1,300 patient reviews, and you can read what patients say on our testimonials page.

Serving Harrisonburg and the Surrounding Communities

From our office on Evelyn Byrd Avenue, easy to reach from I-81 and just minutes from James Madison University, Dr. Young and the Giardina Orthodontics team care for patients throughout Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. That includes families from Bridgewater, Dayton, Broadway, Elkton, Grottoes, Massanutten, Penn Laird, and McGaheysville, along with nearby Staunton and the surrounding Shenandoah Valley.