Dr. Michael Prisco follows father’s footsteps in orthodontics business

By Julia Findikyan, Staff Reporter

Kids of all ages sit in bright blue Yankee Stadium seats looking at paintings, signed photographs or pictures of tooth fairies playing baseball made by kids. Whatever they are doing, they are all waiting for Michael Prisco.

Whether he needs to put braces on or take them off, change the wire on braces or just put it back in place, Prisco helps everyone with their needs.

“I wanted to be an orthodontist so I could deal with children,” he said. “(This profession) can also increase self-esteem and confidence. It’s fun!”

Prisco has been an orthodontist for 22 years. His father had a practice in the Bronx for over fifty years, and his two brothers also became orthodontists. For Prisco, his family served as a great source of inspiration. Prisco attended Binghamton University for undergraduate school and went onto Buffalo Dental School and Columbia Orthodontic Program for his specialization.

Growing up in Pelham, Prisco went to Prospect Hill Elementary School. He graduated from Pelham Memorial High School in 1985. Prisco is now raising his four children in Pelham as well.

“There are a lot more sports for kids at younger ages and a lot more sports for girls,” he said comparing his childhood in Pelham with the town today, “but pizza parlors and The Pelham Picture House, (which I went to on weekends with my family), have always been the same.”

Prisco’s office is covered in Yankees themed objects. Prisco became a Yankees fan watching them play and played baseball himself throughout his life.

“I did Ivan Nova’s braces,” he said. “He gave me all the Yankee chairs in the waiting room. My favorite player of all time is probably Craig Nettles. My favorite player now is Didi Gregorius.”

With an office in a small town, Prisco appreciates being able to get to know local children and families and is able to share with them a variety of experiences. According to Prisco, the craziest thing that ever happened to him was when he took braces off of one of his patients.

“She ran all the way up and all the way down the block,” he said. “She was really happy.”