Since we started twelve years ago, we've built incredible team chemistry.
Our staff is encouraged to live a healthy life outside the office and it shows in the positive energy that comes into work each day. We love the Gorge for all the daily options for recreation and relaxing. Don't be surprised to recognize our hygienists or assistants out on the river fishing or kiting, biking at Post or relaxing at a local wine tasting.
Lucia Lara
Patient Coordinator
Hometown:
Hood River, Oregon
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
Wherever I can see the water or a mountain.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Colgate
Gina Coate
Financial Coordinator
Hometown:
Hood River, Oregon
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
A motorcycle trip on the scenic highway.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Aquafresh Extreme Clean
Jaimie Meldrum
RDH - Dental Hygienist
Hometown:
Rapid City, South Dakota
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
Skiing on Mt. Hood or on my mountain bike.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Colgate Total Mint Stripe
Bridgit Mamuska
EFDA - Dental Assistant
Hometown:
I call Hood River home now, but was born in St. Paul, Minnesota
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
Wherever I'm windsurfing or skiing.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Colgate for its superior flavor
Harry Adams, Jr.
RDH - Dental Hygienist
Hometown:
Hood River, Oregon
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
The hills just west of Dodson, they are pretty cool. Pretty much any place on the old highway between Corbet and Ainsworth Park (Dodson).
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Anything with fluoride
Cristina Soto
EFDA Dental ASSISTANT
Hometown:
Hood River, Oregon
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
Anywhere outdoors with my daughter.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Pronamel
Jaime Whitmire
efda dental assistant
Hometown:
The Dalles, Oregon
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
On the river with my family.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Crest
Jody Steward
rdh dental hygienist
Hometown:
The Dalles, Oregon
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
Exploring all the great hiking trails.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Dr. Bonner’s
Andrew Olsson
DDS
Hometown:
Bellevue, Washington
Favorite place to smile in the Gorge:
Playing with my family in our backyard.
Favorite kind of toothpaste:
Pronamel
philosophy
Dr. Olsson's approach to dentistry is simple.
Have Fun
Enjoy doing what you love
Be Honest
Everyone deserves fairness
Work hard
Leave it all at the office
Dr. Olsson’s Background
Dr. Andrew (Andy) Olsson graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2006 with honors in implant dentistry. He began his dental career in 2006 working in public health at One Community Health in both Hood River and The Dalles, OR. In 2007 Dr. Olsson transitioned into private practice with Dr. Michael Murat at Columbia View Dental Care in The Dalles before opening his own practice, Gorge Dental in March of 2010.
Dr. Olsson is committed to continuing education and is known by his loyal patients, co-workers, and friends as a caring, compassionate, and honest individual.
Andy grew up in Bellevue, Washington and graduated from high school in Steamboat Springs, CO. He was an accomplished alpine ski racer who competed at an international level. Andy attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Biology in 1998.
In 1998 Andy moved to Hood River to learn to windsurf and fell in love with the Gorge–as well as his wife JJ. Andy and JJ have called Hood River home ever since. When not working you are likely to catch Andy, JJ and their daughter Pep on the river, up on the mountain, or out on the trail.
Affiliated Organizations
Mid Columbia Dental Society
“Friendly, efficient, knowledgeable.”
Dr Ristau’s Background
Alex Ristau is originally from Tennessee but began his professional career out west completing his doctorate of medicine in dentistry at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine of Glendale, AZ. Dr. Alex has practiced in Maui, Nashville and St. Louis but has had his eyes out west to the mountains. Dr. Alex has a passion for the mountains and outdoors and after all of his adventures, he found an oasis in Hood River as a mecca for outdoor sport and it's beautiful community. Dr. Alex's education and experience has made him adept in painless dentistry, conservative ceramic dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics and implant dentistry. Dr. Alex is committed to his craft but has always been committed to his patients more. We know going to the dentist isn’t always the most fun ordeal but Dr. Alex strives to make every patient’s experience as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. He is dedicated to helping you find the best treatment for you and your budget so you can keep flashing those pearly whites.