Meet The Team

Dr. Howard Hunt

Orthodontist

Dr. Hunt is a third-generation orthodontist with offices in Eureka and Arcata, California. Part of a large ranching family that settled in Humboldt County in the 1860s, Dr. Hunt followed his father and grandfather into orthodontics. Dr. Vernon started the practice in 1916 in a small office over the Minor Theatre in Arcata. Since then, the Hunts have maintained offices in both Eureka and Arcata.

Dr. Hunt was raised in Arcata and attended local schools, including Jacoby Creek School and Arcata High School. After graduating from Arcata High School, Dr. Hunt attended University of the Pacific in Stockton, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1976, followed by his DDS from the UOP School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Following dental school, he attended a two-year residency program at the University of Southern California, receiving in his specialty degree in orthodontics in 1981.

Over the past 20 years, Dr. Hunt has been involved in many leadership positions and dental organizations. He served as President of the Humboldt Dental Society and as the northern California Trustee on the Board of the California Dental Association for six years. Over the past eight years, he has served as a director and then officer for the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PCSO), the governing body of orthodontists in the eight Western United States and four Canadian provinces. In 2007, Dr. Hunt served as president of the PCSO. Recently, Dr. Hunt was appointed to the Board of Directors for the American Association of Orthodontists' Government Relations Board in Washington, D.C. where he is working in an advocacy position on health care policy. Locally, Dr. Hunt is a long-time member of the Vector Cranio-facial Anomalies Panel, working with children with cleft palate and other birth defects. He is also active in organizations outside the field of dentistry, including the Humboldt State University Advisory Board, for which he has been a member since 1991.

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of working and living in a small community like Humboldt County is developing close, unique relationships with patients and their families. Dr. Hunt values the relationships he has made with so many people in the community over the years, and always enjoys it when a patient comes up to him outside of the office.

Dr. Hunt and his wife Jan, a speech therapist who specializes in brain injuries, raised their three children in Humboldt County. All three are graduates of Arcata High School as well. His oldest daughter, Courtney, works at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka and is pursuing a master’s degree in journalism through the University of Nebraska, while his younger daughter, Amy, is in law school at the University of California at Berkeley. Cameron, his youngest, attends University of Colorado at Boulder.

Dr. Christian Hagge

Orthodontist

Born and raised in Northeastern California, Dr. Hagge grew up on his family’s cattle ranch in Alturas, California alongside his four brothers. When not busy helping their dad in the fields, the Hagge brothers built tree forts, played soccer and baseball, rode bikes, and booby trapped the barn to trick their youngest brother.

After high school, Dr. Hagge served two years as a missionary in the Czech Republic before heading to the frozen tundra of Rexburg, Idaho where he completed his undergraduate studies at BYU – Idaho. There he discovered his passion for dentistry while volunteering as a manager for a low-income dental clinic. It was also at BYU-Idaho where Dr. Hagge met his wife, Nicole, just as she was finishing her nursing degree.

Dr. Hagge earned his dental degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where in addition to the rigorous academic demands, he served as Vice President of the Orthodontic Study Club and as the Patient Care Committee Representative. He regularly participated in community services projects and the Give Kids A Smile program. Following graduation from UCLA, Dr. Hagge was accepted to the prestigious orthodontic residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

While at UCSF, Dr. Hagge was trained in the most up to date and cutting edge orthodontic treatment modalities as he practiced side by side with some of the best orthodontists in the profession. After graduating in 2017, his official title became Christian J. Hagge, DDS, MS, Specialist in Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics. Dr. Hagge then transitioned into private practice working as an orthodontist first near Sacramento, California and then in Corvallis, Oregon and the surrounding areas.

He is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, American Dental Association, and California Dental Association. He has published research and lectured at study clubs, but his favorite part of his job is connecting with his patients and helping them achieve optimal aesthetic and functional smiles.

Dr. Hagge and Nicole have three kids, Ashtyn, Jack, and Emery and a dog, Penny. They love exploring the outdoors together by hiking, fishing, enjoying the coast, and camping.  They are excited to make Humboldt County their home and look forward to years to come in this wonderful community. 

Sarah

Registered Dental Assistant / Financial Coordinator

Sarah is the financial coordinator in our office.  Previously, she worked as a Registered Dental Assistant with Dr. Hunt for a decade.  Raised in Arcata, she has three children and lives with her family in Eureka.  Sarah has been working with Dr. Hunt for 13 years.

Shannon

Registered Dental Assistant

As a registered Dental Assistant, Shannon has worked in General Dentistry and Pediatrics prior to working with Dr. Hunt for the past 12 years.  Additionally, Shannon was a patient of Dr. Hunt’s prior to joining the team.  She is married and has two adorable young sons,  

Lindsey

Registered Dental Assistant

A Registered Dental Assistant and former patient, Lindsey has practiced  with Dr. Hunt for 17 years.  She has spent her entire professional career with our team.  Lindsey and her husband live in McKinleyville and have a daughter and a son, ages 12 and 6. Lindsey, her husband, her daughter, and her mother-in-law have all been patients in our practice

Nadine

Registered Dental Assistant / Treatment Coordinator

Previously working in an orthodontic office in Chico, Nadine has worked as a Registered Dental Assistant for 11 years in our office.  Nadine’s children has three children, ranging in age from 6-18.  As our Treatment Coordinator, Nadine is responsible or new patient orientation and making sure treatment scheduling and sequencing follows patient’s individual treatment plan.  As a previous patient, she is a great resource for patients.  Nadine’s family lives in Arcata

Naomi

Registered Dental Assistant / Laboratory Technician

A practicing Dental Hygienist in Japan prior to coming to Humboldt County, Naomi is an amazingly talented Lab technician in our office.  She manages the diagnostic images, records, and models as well as constructing the custom orthodontic appliances for out patients.  Married and living with her husband and two teenage children, Naomi has worked for Dr. Hunt for 5 years

Kiah

Registered Dental Assistant

Kiah is a registered dental assistant who has been working in orthodontics since she graduated from the College of the Redwoods dental program. A previous patient of Dr. Hunt's, she was ecstatic to join the team as a chairside assistant in July 2021. Kiah was born and raised in Eureka and is a great addition to our team with her positive energy and attention to detail.

Cameron

Scheduling Coordinator

Cameron is Dr. Hunt’s son. He joined the “office family” in December 2019. He is the friendly voice greeting you on the phone and the welcoming face you first see when you arrive for appointments. He helps coordinate the daily appointment schedule and keeps our front desk operations running smoothly.

Amber

Registered Dental Assistant

Born and raised in Hydesville, Amber was previously a patient and has worked as a Registered Dental Assistant in orthodontics in Sacramento and Humboldt County.  She has been with the practice for 7 years.  She is the proud mother of a 2 year old and is married to Dr. Hunt’s second cousin (something Dr. Hunt takes credit for intiating).