I am living the dream! I have the best job in the world, I live in beautiful north San Diego County, I have a terrific group of patients, and an amazing office staff! I look forward to coming to work every day.
My two greatest gifts are my ability to get along well with people and my common-sense approach to problem solving which works perfectly in the world of orthodontics. I have practiced orthodontics for more than 25 years and have thoroughly enjoyed every year.
I grew up in Springfield, Missouri and enjoyed being my high schools student body president and co-captain of our state champion football team. After attending Vanderbilt University and Missouri State University where I was my fraternity president, I went south to Dallas and graduated with honors from Baylor College of Dentistry where I was student body president. I then moved west to Los Angeles to attend the prestigious and nationally ranked University of Southern Californias orthodontic program where I received my certificate in orthodontics and a Masters degree in Craniofacial Biology.
After graduating from USC, I practiced in an exclusive all-child orthodontic practice in Santa Monica. I got married and decided that living in San Diego was a better place to live and raise a family. I had practices in Carlsbad and Carmel Valley before joining our current Inland North County practice in 1996. I am proud that I am one of the very few Lifetime Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics in the area. I love to go to as many continuing education courses as I can, so I can stay on top of this rapidly changing field and provide my patients with the best possible treatment.
My wife Cynthia and I live near Lake Hodges. We have two sons. William is studying Biology at Arizona State University while Andrew is studying finance at the University of San Diego. We have two West Highland White Terriers named Dolly and Callie. My outside interests include USC football, Padre Baseball, local high school sports, cooking, entertaining friends, traveling, and riding my BMW touring motorcycle.
I met my wife in pre-school and I played Pop Warner football with Brad Pitt (I was the second cutest kid on the team). My sister is an attorney back in Missouri and is married to an orthodontist. Our dogs grandmother is the dog on the Cesar dog food label.
I am proud of our fun-loving, talented, experienced, and well-trained staff. Two of our assistants have worked in this office for more than 39 years in a row! Our office reputation is demonstrated by the numerous local dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and endodontists who have chosen our office for their own familys orthodontic treatment.
I love being an orthodontist! There is nothing more rewarding than creating beautiful, natural smiles for my patients. I first realized that orthodontics was my calling in life during college, when I spent time assisting in an orthodontic office. At the time, I was working in a facility for at-risk youth and taking a full load of science courses. I wanted a career in the medical field where I could be both a scientist and help adolescent patients. Orthodontics was the perfect fit! I love boosting the self-confidence of my patients as we give them beautiful smiles. Life can be tough, especially as an adolescent, and getting a new smile can make all the difference in the world.
My dental training started at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Dental School. I served as student body president of my school and graduated with my Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, receiving several student awards, including the American College of Dentists Outstanding Student Award and the Pierre Fauchard Academy Student Award. I was also inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society. Following my dental training, I was fortunate to be selected as an orthodontic resident at UCSF, where I completed three additional years of orthodontic training and was awarded a Master of Science degree in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. Following graduation, I was honored to become certified by the American Board of Orthodontists, after I passed a rigorous clinical examination of orthodontic treatments I had completed.
When I am not caring for our wonderful patients, I enjoy spending time with my family. My wife Jess and I met in college and have two adorable monsters named Alice and Will. As a family, we enjoy hiking, running, visiting national parks, and many other outdoor activities. We also love reading in our family and usually have a very large stack of library books somewhere in the house. Our family is passionate about kindness, diversity, art, science, inclusion, environmental sustainability, and education. We believe in striving to leave every place, relationship, or situation better than it was initially.
Our number-one goal is to provide the highest quality orthodontic care in a family-based, high-technology practice. Using proven state-of-the-art technology to enhance your experience, we maintain the most advanced procedures and equipment available (including individualized diagnoses, self-ligating brackets, digital photography, and advanced computer graphics) to ensure that every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile.
We offer a unique orthodontic experience that is fun, affordable, interactive, and effective. Combining the right mix of personal care, high technology, and continuing education, we maintain a commitment to our patients in every facet of our practice. If you have questions or concerns, please dont hesitate to call.
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 42 reviews
Sort by
newest oldest highest lowestBranden Sahagun
2 years ago
A part of my wired permanent retainer broke off, leaving me with an uncomfortable mouth for about a week. My previous doctor, Chris Cusimano in Idaho, referred me to see Rich Hardie, an old colleague of his that worked in the San Diego area. After looking up Hardie's office, I called in, and they were able to get me in the following day! Within minutes of the appointment, Rich Hardie perfectly fixed my retainer and always doubled-checked to make sure it was comfortable on my end before finalizing. I was very impressed with the organization of the office, the efficiency of each team member and their work ethic/attitude, and ensuring a welcoming feeling from the staff and Rich Hardie himself. I plan to return as a regular patient whenever any issues with my teeth arise and refer Rich Hardie to any family or friends who need assistance with their teeth in the future! Thank you Rich and team!!
Richard Fry
3 years ago
The best orthodontists and office staff I could have ever found. I'm so grateful for both my girls to have received and experienced what it means to have the best care possible. The girls teeth look amazing. They're professional, accommodating, flexible, above and beyond friendly and we're courteous to our sensitive family dynamic. I wouldn't look any further if you're lucky enough to stumble across Hardie Orthondist.
Andrey Shchepalin
3 years ago
Great and experienced stuff
Christy Joiner
3 years ago
The team at Hardie Orthodontics did everything that they could to help me get through the rather terrible placement of two devices in my mouth to advance my treatment plan. My complicated situation presents challenges that they meet head on each month with a positive and encouraging attitude. I am grateful to them for their efforts, kindness, and expertise!
Paulina Kieslich
3 years ago
I have to start out by saying Dr. Rich Hardie and his staff are AMAZING! Tricia and Jill were both super friendly and made the check in experience so smooth. Over the weekend I broke my lower permanent retainer (which they did not do.) I gave them a call this morning because I've heard so many great things about the office, they were able to see me same day on my lunch break. Dr. Hardie and his assistant made me feel really comfortable and the process itself was so quick and easy! I would 100% recommend Hardie Orthodontics to my friends and family. Thanks again!
Robb Schreiber
3 years ago
Both of our daughters have been going here is and we are happy with how things are progressing. Great friendly staff. Glad we found this place is and recommend it to her friends
Sarah Lynn
3 years ago
I love Dr. Hardie's office!! I had a couple of requests for X-Rays to be sent to different places for wisdom teeth consult and they have exceeded my expectations wholeheartedly. I love how friendly they are and how much they put their patients first.
Richard Fry
4 years ago
The best orthodontists and office staff I could have ever found. I'm so grateful for both my girls to have received and experienced what it means to have the best care possible. The girls teeth look amazing. They're professional, accommodating, flexible, above and beyond friendly and we're courteous to our sensitive family dynamic. I wouldn't look any further if you're lucky enough to stumble across Hardie Orthondist.
Christy Joiner
4 years ago
The team at Hardie Orthodontics did everything that they could to help me get through the rather terrible placement of two devices in my mouth to advance my treatment plan. My complicated situation presents challenges that they meet head on each month with a positive and encouraging attitude. I am grateful to them for their efforts, kindness, and expertise!
Andrey Shchepalin
4 years ago
Great and experienced stuff
Robb Schreiber
4 years ago
Both of our daughters have been going here is and we are happy with how things are progressing. Great friendly staff. Glad we found this place is and recommend it to her friends
Paulina Kieslich
4 years ago
I have to start out by saying Dr. Rich Hardie and his staff are AMAZING! Tricia and Jill were both super friendly and made the check in experience so smooth. Over the weekend I broke my lower permanent retainer (which they did not do.) I gave them a call this morning because I've heard so many great things about the office, they were able to see me same day on my lunch break. Dr. Hardie and his assistant made me feel really comfortable and the process itself was so quick and easy! I would 100% recommend Hardie Orthodontics to my friends and family. Thanks again!
Sarah Lynn
4 years ago
I love Dr. Hardie's office!! I had a couple of requests for X-Rays to be sent to different places for wisdom teeth consult and they have exceeded my expectations wholeheartedly. I love how friendly they are and how much they put their patients first.
Shane Carter99
4 years ago
They are nice and they make it not hurt when they put braces on or change the wire.
Mark Walden
4 years ago
Hi, Just wanted to give a shout out to Hardie Orthodontics in RB. We are now on our third set of braces and have been very happy with the service & flexible payment plans. Their financing plans integrate easily with a work place Flexible spending plan if you happen to have one. MNW
Cynthia Gagliano
5 years ago
All three of my children have been treated at Hardie Orthodontics over the course of 15 years! Braces, expanders, retainers, and follow up. We have always received excellent customer service with appointments, adjustments and realistic time frames for braces removal. Dr. Rich Hardie and his staff have created a relaxed friendly and caring environment. Hardie Orthodontics is the only choice in North County for your family's orthodontics needs.
Shane Carter99
5 years ago
They are nice and they make it not hurt when they put braces on or change the wire.
Mark Walden
5 years ago
Hi, Just wanted to give a shout out to Hardie Orthodontics in RB. We are now on our third set of braces and have been very happy with the service & flexible payment plans. Their financing plans integrate easily with a work place Flexible spending plan if you happen to have one. MNW
Dori Cousins
5 years ago
Hardie Orthodontics takes the time to make their clients feel like family. It is apparent that the staff loves their job and they sincerely care for their patience. It's fun to go to the office and see all of pictures on the wall of his loyal clients. We always seem to find a few of our friends pictures there too. All of those beautifully straight smiles are worth 5 Stars.
Maeve Buckley
5 years ago
I had the best experience with Hardie Orthodontics. Everyone answered my questions in the kindest way.
Load more