We know how scary it can be to go to the dentist and orthodontist. Many people are afraid to come in, so we do everything that we can to create a calm and comfortable environment. Our staff is great at what they do. Theyre here to answer your questions and put you at ease.
Were proud to offer many different technologies so that you can get straight teeth in a way that works for you. We would be glad to go over all of your options so that we can make the right decision for you and your smile.
Weve created an office that reflects our enthusiasm for helping people. From an inviting reception area, to contests, dress-up days, and free ice cream in the summer, we want your visits to be the highlight of your day.
Dr. John McDonald and his wife, Meredith, have been married for over two decades. They have two children, Claire and Isaac, who make them exceedingly proud. Both children were in the Spanish immersion program in West Salem, and both Dr. John and his wife are strong supporters and advocates for public schools. Dr. John and his family enjoy the outdoors, theater, and travelling together. Dr. John also regularly plays hockey at the Sherwood Ice Arena in several of their adult leagues.
Dr. John is the oldest of four children. He and his siblings graduated from South Salem High School. As a teenager, he picked strawberries and worked at The Truitt Brothers cannery on the bean line and then in the warehouse. During the school year, he worked at his fathers orthodontic office, where he trimmed plaster models, did odd jobs, and decided that he would be an orthodontist someday. After high school, he earned his undergraduate degree at Colorado College and took one semester at Oregon State University. He then went on to earn his dental degree from Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU).
After graduating dental school, Dr. John knew he wanted to be an orthodontist but wasnt quite ready for more schooling. He decided to join the Army in order to hone his dental skills and for a little bit of adventure, like they promised on TV. (Mainly he wanted a paycheck and a chance to live in Europe.) His first duty station was Ft. Campbell, KY, where he underwent extensive advanced training in the general dentistry residency program (AEGD). The Army wasnt quite ready to send him to Europe. They decided to send him to Korea for a year first. After Korea Dr. John finally made it to Germany, where he commanded a dental clinic in Heilbronn (south of Frankfort).
Following his service, Dr. John returned to Oregon and practiced general dentistry in Salem and Portland before being accepted to the orthodontic program at the University of Pennsylvania. It was there he met his wife, Meredith, and together they returned to Salem for Dr. John to join his father at McDonald Orthodontics. He and his father, Dr. Terry McDonald, practiced side by side until 2009, when Dr. Terry retired.
Joining my father in practice was a proud moment for both of us. For me, I was able to tap into his vast experience and accelerate learning and understanding of the complexities of orthodontic treatment. The mentorship I received from him continues to this day, as he still teaches the orthodontic program at OHSU and we talk (shop) on a regular basis.
In 2017, McDonald Orthodontics celebrated 50 years of serving up smiles in Salem. As the owner of the practice, Dr. John lives out his fathers legacy. Besides treating patients, he lectures nationally on orthodontic treatments and is a clinical adviser for 3Ms Orthodontic Division.
Dr. John is also board certified with the American Board of Orthodontics. This achievement has been completed by only a few in the Willamette Valley. To become board certified, hundreds of hours of study, hands-on patient cases, and critical peer review are required.
I began working with Dr. McDonald in 1998. My own daughters were in treatment here and after having such a wonderful experience I knew I wanted to be involved with this great group of people to help change lives by giving people a smile to be proud of.
I was treated as a child by Dr. Terry and both my kids were treated by Dr. Terry and Dr. John. My favorite part is when the kids come in at age 5-7. They grow up and literally transform before our eyes by the time they get their braces off in middle school or high school. I love to see that beautiful smile Dr. John created. It is priceless!!! To me, I have the best job!!!
It is not the what that motivates me to get out of bed in the mornings, it is the why. It is not the what that drives me to give great service and become an expert in my field, it is the why. It is about making a difference in peoples lives. This very thing, I truly believe, is what Dr. John and our staff here at McDonald Orthodontics are all about. We all truly want to make a difference in our patients lives.
As the Scheduling Coordinator, I get the pleasure of greeting the happy faces that come in. I love seeing their progress throughout their treatment. From start to finish you can see their transformation. Knowing you have been a part, even if just welcoming them in the office and making sure they are comfortable, is a great feeling.
I received treatment myself here at McDonald Orthodontics, so I can relate to what patients are going through. Our goal here is to make your experience a pleasant one that youll want to share with your friends and family.
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My 25 nieces and nephews keep me busy with their activities. During the summer I am at Foster Lake most weekends. I also love hiking and exploring Oregon.
For me, seeing each patients transformation and how confident they become with their new beautiful smile is pure joy; plus, having the chance to build relationships with our patients and their families is the best part of my job.
Choosing an orthodontist is like adding a member to your family. If you have multiple children who are several years apart, you could be visiting the orthodontist for five or ten years, while they are getting ready for treatment through their last retainer check. We serve multiple families that Dr. Terry and Dr. John have served for generations. As with any long-term relationship, it pays to look deeper than surface level to make sure youre making the right choice.
Lastly, Dr. John is a little bit of an orthodontic nerd. Orthodontics is not just a job to him, its a constant learning and striving to provide the best care for his patients in a warm and comfortable environment.
Reviews
Rating 4.9 out of 5 based on 200 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestKoren Ickes Amend
a year ago
Have a clean, straight smile after an easy and hassle free, almost two years. Wouldn't do again, but would recommend
Bryn Martinez
a year ago
Both of my kids have been through treatment at McDonald Orthodontics. Everyone at this office is so friendly and helpful. Dr. McDonald is a professional and provided amazing care in our several years here! Thank you for helping create great smiles!
Jean Boot
a year ago
I'm so impressed with Dr. McDonald and his team! Dr. McDonald took so much care in every detail of the process. I appreciate the time he spent explaining everything. His technicians are just as awesome. His office is modern and bright. There are fun incentives for compliance. I don't write many reviews but it is my pleasure to let you all know about Dr. McDonald.
Miranda Jackson
2 years ago
Kind and friendly staff. I just love it here
Brandon Nguyen
2 years ago
Great and very knowledgeable orthodontist!
Maria T Fournier-Villegas
2 years ago
Great doctor, great staff and I love my smile!
Alex Armstrong
2 years ago
Dr. McDonald and his team are an amazing group of caring individuals. They'll make you feel comfortable throughout your entire visit, explain things along the way, and leave you with a big smile!
Natalie Potter
2 years ago
I have been seeing Dr Mcdonald on and off for years he is very knowledgeable, helpful and his entire staff have been fabulous. Highly recommend them for orthodontist services.
Bethany
2 years ago
Have always had the best experience! Super friendly and helpful!
Stover sports
2 years ago
This is the best orthodontics place in Salem without a doubt. I had braces for 3 years and it helped my smile so much. The staff here is very nice and they are always so fun to talk to. Dr. John as well as the rest of the staff is extremely knowledgeable as well. 10 out of 10 would recommend this place. You won't regret coming here for orthodontics
Christina Tipikin
2 years ago
Awsome awsome all around office!
Jaclyn McNabb-Langenwalter
2 years ago
Dr. McDonald and staff are the friendliest and most kind humans. I had the pleasure of working with them for myself and my two children. I would only recommend McDonald Orthodontics to my friends and family. I have had braces using another local clinic and I can attest that McDonald is unmatched in professionalism, affordability, quality, cleanliness, and excellence. My children actually LOVE coming here.
Drew Schultz
2 years ago
I can't say enough good things about Dr. McDonald and the staff. They are all so wonderful!
Hannah Paysinger
2 years ago
0 stars. I visited Dr McDonald for a consult in an extreme state of stress and anxiety, and he did nothing but intensify it and make me feel worse. He used fear tactics to scare me into paying for Invisalign treatment without having insurance to cover it. He made it sound like there was no other option and that it was an emergency or my teeth would fall out. so I gave him 4500 dollars out of pocket. I went into a financial crisis and developed an anxiety disorder. I later gained insurance, and asked their office for help filing a pre-auth to help cover it. I spoke with Shawna there, who was incredibly rude and condescending and basically laughed at me. She refused to file a preauth and refused to help me. I later complained, and the office completely ignored my complaint. They did not regard it or apologize. probably the worst medical experience of my life. If you're an adult needing orthodontia treatment, and looking for someone who is compassionate with good bedside manor, I recommend *anyone* but dr McDonald and his staff. So incredibly rude and distant. They are terrible and should be ashamed of themselves. They don't care about you, just your money.
Drew Marlin
2 years ago
Looking for a place to get adult braces? Look no further! I am 25 years old with a upper narrow bite and I had went to many orthodontist consultations in the Salem/Keizer area before finally choosing my man Dr. McDonald/his amazingly wonderful staff that I just look forward to seeing every appointment. Also my girlfriend and her sister got work done when they were younger and they still have the most beautiful smiles to this day. He was the only one in the area that can do the maxillary expander without having to go all the way to Portland and my dentist even recommended him (Salem Family Cosmetic Dentistry) and I couldn't ask for a more smoother procedure. Really took good care of me and made sure I was comfortable through the whole thing. At the end of the Maxillary procedure, I left in tears of joy because I knew I was in great hands going forward. *Also you don't have to get the EXPANDER* everyone is different but I definitely would recommend it if you're like me. No pain, no gain! I'm only 10 months in the process and the work that has been done already, leaves me smiling more and more each day. It was worth every crank! Now that the beginning part is over, it's smooth sailing from here and look forward to getting the expander taken out soon! I really can't thank you enough doc if you're reading this. You've changed my life because my smile was the one thing that made me so self conscious. Also thank you to the staff as well for making me feel right at home every visit. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I love smiling now!
Jean Boot
2 years ago
I'm so impressed with Dr. McDonald and his team! They take so much care in every detail of the process. I appreciate the time he spent explaining everything. His technicians are just as awesome.
Ginger Stover
3 years ago
Had to get braces on my teeth and my case was really difficult to fix with braces but the people here made it look so easy! You can tell that they love what they do and care about their patients
Jacob Andersen
3 years ago
Everyone at McDonald orthodontist is so amazing. They not only help me to have a great smile but they took good care of my mouth. I got my braces on when I was 11 and now I'm 14, and I can't remember a single negative experience. Dr. McDonald and all of the staff are so kind. Once I went in for an appointment and we started to talk, and Dr. McDonald asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him I wanted to be in the Airforce. He ended up letting me borrow a book on planes and telling me about how he was a dentist on a navy ship. Everyone at Dr. McDonalds is so amazing and I recommend them to anyone who is looking into getting braces. THANK YOU!!!
Victoria Rich
3 years ago
Everyone is really nice!
Mike Alan
3 years ago
Every staff member in this office is absolutely wonderful and welcoming each and every visit! Dr.McDonald is so personable and knowledgeable. He comes up with a plan that is directly specialized for each person with realistic goals and expectations. When our insurance changed, we chose to add additional coverage specifically so that we could continue seeing Dr.John. Our whole family has been seen and our kids love coming here! Highly recommend!
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