Today we’d like to introduce you to Kacie Culotta.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Dr. Kacie Culotta, a proud Austinite of more than 20 years — one of those classic neighbors who came to UT as a student and never left. I met my spouse through the UT Texas 4000 Bike Charity, where we connected as fellow cyclists with a shared passion for health and community. Today, we’re raising two bright young daughters, ages two and six, right here in Austin.
I’m the practice owner and primary provider at Latched Beginnings, where our focus is entirely on supporting infants with feeding challenges through laser frenectomy care for oral ties. Over the years, I’ve witnessed how early oral function and airway development can shape a child’s lifelong health. Seeing the ongoing need for families to have continued airway support as their children grow, I’m expanding that mission by opening Austin Sleep & Airway Health in Mueller in January 2026.
While my foundation is rooted in comprehensive oral health, my path has taken a deeply specialized turn. I’ve dedicated my career to understanding the intricate connections between oral function, airway development, and whole-body wellness. This pursuit was inspired not only by professional curiosity but also by my own family’s health journey — particularly our children’s. Experiencing firsthand how oral ties and airway challenges can affect growth, feeding, sleep, and overall well-being has driven me to seek answers that go far beyond traditional dental care.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
At first, I simply knew there were families who needed me. What I didn’t yet grasp was just how many of us — children and adults alike — are living with airway challenges that quietly hold us back from truly thriving. As I began to connect the dots between oral function, breathing, and overall health, I realized that addressing these issues could transform lives in profound ways. The road has been long and, at times, unconventional, but it has been guided by a deep commitment to helping families achieve better health through functional, compassionate, and evidence-based care.
This realization deepened my commitment to understanding the “why” behind each patient’s symptoms and to seeking out education and collaboration that went far beyond traditional dentistry. My journey has led me to learn alongside and partner with remarkable professionals — from ENTs and IBCLCs to SLPs, PTs, OTs, and chiropractors — all dedicated to helping families breathe, feed, and function better. It has been a long and deeply rewarding path, shaped by both my professional growth and my own family’s experiences.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Supporting Airway Health from Infancy to Adulthood
At Latched Beginnings and Austin Sleep & Airway Health, our mission is to support families through every stage of life by addressing the root causes of feeding, breathing, and sleep challenges.
Latched Beginnings focuses exclusively on helping infants overcome feeding struggles related to oral ties through gentle, precise laser frenectomy care and functional support. We work closely with a collaborative network of IBCLCs, SLPs, PTs, OTs, and chiropractors to ensure each family receives comprehensive, compassionate care.
As our patients grow, their needs evolve — and so does our care. Opening in January 2026, Austin Sleep & Airway Health in Mueller will expand our mission to children and adults, offering airway-centered evaluations and treatments for sleep-disordered breathing, mouth breathing, and oral function.
What sets us apart is our focus on the continuum of airway health — understanding how early oral development influences lifelong wellness. Both practices are founded on education, collaboration, and empowerment, helping families breathe, feed, and thrive at every age.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://austinsleephealth.com/about-us/ and https://latchedbeginnings.com/about-us/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latched_beginnings/?hl=en
Image Credits
Images by Laura Saucedo and Katherine O’Brien
