Corona Virus Update

Our Office’s Safety Precautions

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable. We follow infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff.

  • Prior to your appointment, we will text you a health history screening. If you answer yes to any of these questions, we may ask you details of your situation and/or to reschedule your appt.
  • Call or text the office when you arrive for your appointment and we will let you know when we are ready for you to enter. Parents, companions, and children should wait in the car or run an errand. Please call us if you have specific questions regarding your account or treatment. If you would like to come in to speak to Dr. Hobson or the front desk directly, please stay in the reception area and practice social distancing. We would prefer to only have patients in the clinic at this time.
  • We ask that anyone who enters our office wear a mask or face covering. Staff members in our office will always be wearing masks .
  • We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. We will also have you brush your teeth (if you were unable to do so at home) and rinse with Listerine for 30 seconds before entering the clinic in order to reduce viral and bacterial loads in the mouth.
  • We will also take your temperature using an infrared thermometer.
  • You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys, coffee and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
  • Appointments will be managed to allow for physical distancing between patients. Patients will be seated in the clinic at a 6 foot distance following Oregon Health Authority guidelines. This might mean you are offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment due to a decrease in the number of appointments each day.
  • Our office is now equipped with a plexiglass sneeze guard barrier in the front office and several plexiglass partitions in the clinic.
  • Our staff is also following routine cleaning and disinfecting strategies.

Families in the Park

Join us for Families in the Park!

Summer, the time we all look forward to whether in are in school or not. Long, warm summer days that beg us to come play. Living in beautiful Hood River, we are never out of options to find something fun to do. In support of  summer fun, Dr. Hobson is proud to sponsor Families in the Park this year.  Come join us for summer fun!

As proud supporters of our community, we are always looking for opportunities to volunteer and support. If you have a suggestion for a group or event that we could participate in, please let us know.

Families in the Park 2015
Families in the Park 2015

Come check us out on YouTube!

Come check us out on YouTube!

Life is an adventure, braces don’t have to be is our motto in Hood River. Foods to avoid during braces will decrease your chance of broken brackets and keep you on track for getting your braces off in a timely manner.

Straightline Orthodontics just added a YouTube channel to our online library. We will update our channel regularly with great informational videos to help you along your orthodontic journey. Please follow us on our channel at, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqpH6Mq23oddyjisQBUD-Sg

Our first video can be watched and shared here. Let us know what you think and what you would like to watch!


Life in Hood River

Kara FB Profile (1)

Living and working in a small town has so many positives. We know our neighbors, we support our local economy and create sustainability; there is a conscious way to life out here in Hood River. For these very reasons, Dr. Kara Hobson has chosen to make Hood River Oregon her chosen place to live and work.

A shared value with our team is that our patients become our family. Once you step into our office, you will feel what sets us apart.  We have created an atmosphere where you will have personalized care and attention at every visit. We have designed our practice so that we can have the time is takes to care for you each and every visit.

In addition to practicing Orthodontics, Dr. Hobson is committed to giving back to our community. Whether it is sponsoring Hood River Little League,

 Having the support and endorsement of our community is something we do not take lightly at Straightline Orthodontics. Our biggest compliment is sharing your experience about our office with your friends and family. We are privileged to have the opportunity to become your friends while practicing the craft we love.  Creating a community is what makes living and working here in Hood River so special!


Spring is approaching, so is Little League!

Drs. Hobson is a big supporter of her Hood River community and your child’s overall health. One of the ways she supports both is by sponsoring the Hood River Little League.

This is a wonderful organization that provides the opportunity for all boys and girls ages 4-14 to participate in either baseball, soft ball or T-ball leagues. Straightline Orthodontics believe that participating in programs like this is a great way for kids to build self-esteem, stay healthy and spend time out side!

Dr. Hobson is happy to participate in bringing such a positive opportunity to the kids in our Hood River community! Registration is open now, you can find out more information online at http://www.eteamz.com.


February is Dental Health Month!

Congress and the American Dental Association (ADA)  has designated the month of February as Dental Health Month.  The ADA sponsors this month to raise awareness about the importance of children’s  oral health.

Did you know that tooth decay is the number one preventable childhood disease? Prevention begins with good dental habits, the right diet and regular visits to the dentist at a very early age.

Many pediatric dentists recommend seeing children before the age of one. At this age, it’s about more than clean teeth, it is about developing a long lasting relationship with parent’s, the child and dental provider.  This approach truly makes a difference in the lives of children and the movement for healthy kids.

It is never too late for your child to see a dentist. Pediatric dentists speacialize in the care and treatment of children. While some general dentists see children, it is important to talk with your  dental provider to see if it is a good fit for everyone.  Creating a great dental  experience from an early age is ideal.

Setting the stage for a healthy dental foundation and establishing a great relationships will carry on for a lifetime. Seeing your dentist is just as important as seeing your physician. Hood River has many fantastic options for your children’s dental care. If you have any questions, Dr. Hobson is always available to you and your family.

For more information from the ADA, please visit their site, http://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/national-childrens-dental-health-month/


Keep your orthodontics fright free this Halloween!

Halloween is just around the corner and we get many patients worried that they’ll get more tricks than treats for their braces in their Halloween candy. Here are some easy tips when you’re making choices on which treats to snack on this Halloween:

  • Avoid anything sticky, chewy, hard or crunchy such as lollipops, chocolates with nuts, hard candies or caramels.
  • Choose soft candies or melt-in-your-mouth chocolates such as Hershey kisses or peanut butter cups.

Be sure to brush and floss when you get home to get sugar off your teeth and anything sticky off your brackets.

If you need additional information, Dr. Kara was interviewed by the Columbian last year about this very topic:

Halloween treats can be a horror for braces

 


Straightline Orthodontics Now Open!

Now Open and Accepting Patients!

Dr. Kara Hobson announces the opening of Straightline Orthodontics

Dr. Kara Hobson opens Straightline Orthodontics, bringing over a decade of experience, care and efficiency to orthodontics in the Columbia Gorge.

Hood River, Oregon – October 12, 2015: After 10 years of living in Hood River while building her experience and reputation in the Portland area, Dr. Kara Hobson is proud to open Straightline Orthodontics, bringing her practice home to the Gorge.

“I take great personal satisfaction in seeing the positive impact that my work has on the lives of patients,” said Dr. Hobson. “Providing care that improves not only dental appearance but self-image and confidence is incredibly rewarding.”

Straightline Orthodontics is a full service orthodontics practice, treating both pediatric and adult patients. With a full spectrum of treatment options available, including traditional braces and Invisalign™, Dr. Hobson and her staff are able to craft a truly personalized treatment plan for each patient. Initial consultations are always complimentary and include an introduction to Dr. Hobson and her staff, an opportunity to discuss any preexisting questions or concerns and a thorough exam followed by discussion of treatment options. Dr. Hobson and her staff work hand-in-hand with each patient’s dentist to provide the very best in comprehensive care.

Straightline Orthodontics is located at 1700 12th Street, Suite D, sharing office space with North Oregon
Endodontics and Oregon Periodontics, PC. The office’s central location serves to treat all Columbia Gorge residents with both Oregon and Washington insurance plans accepted. Treatment rooms not only contain the latest in orthodontic technology but are designed for patient ease and comfort, complete with available movies and radio. While Straightline prides itself on being efficient and punctual, the waiting room hosts toys and tablets for all ages to relax prior to appointments.

After receiving a B.S. in Biology and graduating Cum Laude from Santa Clara University, Dr. Hobson entered the University of Washington, School of Dentistry. She attended a General Practice Residency at University of San Francisco and then returned home to pursue a Master of Science in Orthodontics at OHSU. Her professional career spans over a decade of experience and thousands of carefully crafted smiles. Continued education and involvement in the field of dentistry are an important part of Dr. Hobson’s commitment to her patients and her career. She is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics, American Dental Association, and Washington and Oregon State Dental Associations.

Dr. Hobson and her staff will be hosting a grand opening and open house the evening of Tuesday, November 3rd at 5pm to mark the occasion. Light refreshments and an opportunity to tour the facilities and meet the Straightline Orthodontics staff will be available.

Straightline Orthodontics is open Monday and Tuesday from 7:30am to 5pm, with phone service availability Wednesday through Friday during standard business hours. The office accepts Visa, Mastercard, cash and checks. For more information, visit http://straightlinebraces.com or call (541) 716-5032 to schedule an appointment.


Grand Opening Special!

We are very excited to announce that our doors are officially open and we are accepting new patients! To celebrate the occasion we are offering a discount of $300 to the first 20 patients who begin a full course of treatment with us. We have two lucky patients, who we can’t wait to meet, scheduled for our opening day – that leaves 18 offers left and we would love for one of them to be YOU!

Give us a call today at 541.716.5032 to schedule your consultation (always complimentary!). Our team is looking forward to meeting you!

We love when our patients smile!

2015 Gorge Kids Triathlon

 

We were thrilled at the chance to be a sponsor of this year’s Gorge Kids Triathlon, which helps support health and physical education in our local schools – something we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of!

With less than a month until our grand opening, the Gorge Kids Tri was a great opportunity to meet new friends and to let our local community know we’re almost ready to go! If you didn’t get a chance to meet Dr. Kara or sign up for your free consult, feel free to email us at info@straightlinebraces.com and we will get you scheduled for a courtesy exam.

 

A breezy day didn't stop the fun or smiles!
A breezy day didn’t stop the fun or smiles!

 

The bike section saw some blazing action!
The bike section saw some blazing action!

 

The swimming zone was a favorite on a warm fall day.
The swimming zone was a favorite on a warm fall day.