Apart from our certified pediatric dentists that youll meet below, our entire team is equally dedicated to the childrens field of dentistry. Collectively, Orchard Hills has the most experienced dental assistants and hygienists in the greater Tri-Cities region as it pertains to kids dentistry. We continue to support our team in their efforts to further their education and training.Above all else, youll love their tender yet fun nature and your kids will feel comfortable and excited to come see the dentist!
Dr. RustyWalker, a native of Southern Alberta, Canada, is the first of our Board-Certified pediatric dentists to practice here in the Tri-Cities. A graduate from Brigham Young University with a Bachelors degree in HumanBiology (1995), he completedhisDoctorate degree in Dental Surgery (1999) in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr.Walkerpursued his post-Doctoral residency in Pediatrics at Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital, also in Cleveland (2001).Dr.Walkeris currently an adjunct faculty professor at the University of Washington School Of Dentistry.
Dr.Walkerand his beautiful wife have eight very active children. Like most families, Dr.Walkers children enjoy a wide range of sports and other extra-curricular activities. They enjoy boating, camping, lacrosse, art, basketball & football, 4-wheeling, and watching movies in the backyard with friends and family. Dr.Walkerhas coached ice-hockey, t-ball, baseball, and soccer here in the Tri-Cities. Dr.Walkeris very active in his church, as he works closely with children, young men & young women, and the Boy Scouts. TheWalkers also enjoy serving others in the community and have harvested apples, peaches, cherries, walnuts, pumpkins, and vegetables fromtheirback yard and local farms.
Dr.Walkerloves finding the bonus fries in the bottom of fast-food bags, and he also enjoys his staff laughing at his jokes (because he pays them).He finds his family members at stores by calling out Marco and having them respond Polo.Dr.Walkerenjoys board games/cards with family & friends.
Dr. Craig Ritchie received his dental training and Doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his pediatric training at Indiana University/Riley Hospital for Children, where he served as Chief Resident his senior year. After obtaining his Pediatric Dental Certificate and Masters degree, he brought his family out to the great Northwest to join Dr. Walker, his friend from dental school, here at Columbia Basin Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Ritchie, his wife, and five boys, love to do anything in the outdoors. Their favorite family activities include camping, boating, playing football and basketball and riding four wheelers. As a family, they love doing anything together, especially if it involves movies, service projects, road trips, family work projects, games, or any kind of party. All fore mentioned activities are enhanced if there are cookies involved!
Dr. Brent Gill graduated from Brigham Young University in 1995 with his bachelors degree and in 1997 with his Masters degree in Audiology. He worked as an audiologist for seven yearshere in the Tri-Cities and then decided he wanted to be a pediatric dentist when he grew up!
This decision took Dr. Gill and his family to the University of Washington School of Dentistry where he graduated in 2008. He completed his pediatric dental residency in New York at the University of Rochesters Eastman Institute for Oral Health and Strong Memorial Hospital in 2010. His research has been accepted for publication in the Pediatric Dentistry journal for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Gill and his wife are very pleased to be back in the Tri-Cities to raise their seven children. They enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, sports, community service projects, music, reading and travel.
Dr. Susan Armstrong was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. After graduating from Brock University with an Honors Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Armstrong then entered the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School where she obtained her Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Upon completion of dental school, Dr. Armstrong moved to the Northwest where she completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency program in Toppenish, WA. Dr. Armstrong worked for six years as a general dentist in a pediatric and orthodontic office in Bend, OR. It was there that she had discovered her passion for pediatric dentistry and made the decision to further herself in the pursuit of becoming a pediatric dentist.
Dr. Armstrong completed her pediatric dental residency through Lutheran Medical Center in Yakima, WA. While serving as Chief Resident, Dr. Armstrong also completed the interdisciplinary certificate program, Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) through the University of Washington. Dr. Armstrong is a Diplomate with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of The Royal College of Dentists of Canada. She also serves as a Board Member for the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dental Foundation.
Dr. Armstrong joined the practice as an associate in August 2015. In her spare time, she continues to discover all that the Northwest has to offer including golfing, mountain biking, snowboarding and stand up paddle boarding.
As pediatric dentists we seek to provide oral health care to infants, children, adolescents, and children with special health care needs in a manner that promotes excellence in quality of care and induces a positive attitude in the patient toward future dental treatment. Our behavior guidance techniques have allowed most patients to receive treatment in the dental office with minimal discomfort and without expressed fear. Minimal or moderate sedation has allowed others who are less compliant to receive treatment. Some children and individuals with special care needs who have extensive oral healthcare needs, acute situational anxiety, uncooperative age-appropriate behavior, immature cognitive functioning, disabilities, or medical conditions require general anesthesia to receive dental treatment in a safe and humane fashion.
(1) to guard the patients safety and welfare;(2) to minimize physical discomfort and pain;(3) to control anxiety, minimize psychological trauma, and maximize the potential for amnesia;(4) to modify behavior and/or movement so as to allow the safe completion of the procedure;(5) to return the patient to a state in which discharge from medical/dental supervision is safe, as determined by recognized criteria.
Orchard Hills Ambulatory Surgery Center is the only state certified pediatric dental surgery center in the region. Our experienced anesthesia providers and nurses work with our pediatric dentists to create a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for our patients to receive the highest standard of care.