Dr. Catherine Quas founded Bluefish Dental & Orthodontics in Bend, Oregon in the fall of 2004 after completing two residencies, one in pediatric dentistry and the other in orthodontics and facial orthopedics at the UCLA School of Dental Medicine. In just ten years she has expanded her pediatric dental practice to include a Redmond location, employs a dedicated staff of 16 and added orthodontic care to the range of services she provides to her patients.
“It has been such a joy to be part of the lives of so many great families,” said Dr. Quas. “That is really the best part of my job, knowing that the relationships Bluefish develops with our patients and parents are so strong.”
Growing up in Bend with a father and a stepmother who are both orthodontists, it might have seemed inevitable that Dr. Quas would pursue a career in dentistry. However, she found that she was drawn to the world of communication, and her first undergraduate degree was in journalism. She followed this with another degree in biological sciences.
Inspired by the relationships she developed during a period of time working in her father’s orthodontic office as a treatment coordinator, she made the decision to once again go back to school, this time to study dentistry. After receiving her general dental degree (DMD) from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Quas decided to pursue advanced training in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics.
“My program was one of the few available that offered combined training in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics,” said Dr. Quas. “Currently there are no longer any programs that offer this dual degree.”
Board certification in both pediatric dentistry and orthodontics allows Dr. Quas to offer a unique perspective to her patients.
“Our practice is focused on the patient as a whole,” said Dr. Quas. “I’m always looking ahead and often we are able to offer early treatment that can help avoid more invasive and expensive orthodontic treatment down the road.”
While the practice is focused on youth, Dr. Quas said that a surprising number of her patient parents and other adults have requested and received orthodontic treatment at Bluefish.
“Our orthodontic practice has grown a lot in the last few years,” said Jill Crafton, office manager for the practice. “And that is all just from word of mouth. In fact, we just added the word ‘ortho’ to our logo this year.”
Crafton, who helped launch the practice in 2004, said that Dr. Quas has a strong commitment to education—not only for herself as evidenced by her academic background—but for all of the employees and even the patients and parents.
“We are constantly seeking out opportunities to learn and grow at Bluefish,” said Crafton. “Continuing education is important for the staff, and we encourage our patients and parents to take a very active role in their care by asking questions and taking ownership of their oral health.”
Commitment to the community is also important to Bluefish, and the practice is often represented at community events supporting children, health and education. Dr. Quas and other staff members serve on various nonprofit boards and committees, and Dr. Quas was a 2012 recipient of the Ronald E. Carver, MD Heart of Healthcare Award from the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic of the Cascades. From 2004-2005 she served as the President of the Central Oregon Dental Society, and Dr. Quas remains active in oral health related initiatives both locally and internationally.
“Over the last ten years it has been so fulfilling to watch our youngest patients grow into wonderful young adults,” said Dr. Quas. “I look forward to many more years of shared growth and continuing to provide Central Oregon families with the highest quality of compassion and care.”
Bluefish Dental & Orthodontics
www.bluefishdental.com
541-317-1887
