Meet The DoctorsDedicated To Providing You With The Same Kind Of Smile They Give To Their Own Families

At Bend Family Dentistry, our diverse, highly skilled doctors unite around a shared commitment to oral health, each bringing unique specialties and experiences. Our team is dedicated to continuous academic and professional growth, staying current in a rapidly evolving field. This, along with our core values of health, wellness, comfort, and a ‘family-first’ philosophy, ensures patients feel valued, receive exceptional care, and experience a welcoming environment that fosters a lifelong relationship with us.

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Dr. Brad Hester

Practicing general dentistry in Bend for more than 30+ years, Dr. Brad Hester’s passion is helping people achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. His interest in dentistry began at an early age deciding on dentistry as a career in 7th grade. His college years were spent at the University of Portland, graduating with a B.S. in Biology. Dr. Hester won a scholarship to play baseball at the University and was voted Most Valuable Player as well as achieving the Highest Batting Average award during his senior season. He went on to earn his D.M.D. (Doctor of Dental Medicine) at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.

In 1988 Dr. Hester opened his private practice in Portland, practicing there until 1994 when he moved back to his roots in Central Oregon. Committed to providing the best, most advanced dental care, Dr. Hester invests hundreds of hours each year enhancing his skills and keeping up to date on advances in the dental field. He has studied with some of the world’s leading authorities in dentistry including Dr. Peter Dawson and The Pankey Institute (reconstructive dentistry), Dr. David Hornbrook (esthetics), Dr. Carl Misch (implants), and Dr. Ken Reed, William Gottschalk (IV sedation) & Dr. Clayton Chan (TMJ).

Dr. Hester is married to his wife of 41 years, Kelly, who works as an RN at Volunteers in Medicine. They have five children and 8 grandchildren. In his free time, Dr. Hester enjoys outdoor activities, fine woodworking, and most recently building and racing Baja off-road cars.

Dr. Haley Van Volkenburg

Dr. Haley Van Volkenburg decided to pursue dentistry at a young age due to the profound impact that dental professionals made in her life and with her smile. As an avid learner, she appreciates the chance to be challenged and inspired in dentistry. She values building relationships with patients to encourage them to meet their oral health goals while providing a welcoming, thoughtful, and cheerful environment. With the ever-changing advancements in the dental field, Dr. Van Volkenburg prioritizes continuing her education in order to provide the best possible care for her patients.

Dr. Van Volkenburg is a native Oregonian and grew up in Roseburg, OR. She attended Oregon State University for her undergraduate degree and continued on to graduate from OHSU School of Dentistry in 2019. During her time at OHSU, she was an integral part of the American Student Dental Association, Student Research Group, and the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry. She also co-founded the Women in Dentistry Club and coordinated multiple volunteer dental clinics. Today, Dr. Van Volkenburg stays involved in the American Dental Association, Oregon Dental Association, and the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry.

When not at the office, you can find her visiting family, skiing, cycling, reading a good book, planning her next travels, or trying new recipes at home.

Dr. Nicole Tasooji

Dr. Nicole Tasooji grew up by the beach in San Diego, where most of her time was spent splashing in the waves or hunting for sand crabs. Dr. Tasooji devoted her teenage years to excelling at both academics and sports. At 5’11, she was a towering force on both the basketball and volleyball court. She traded the ocean for the deserts of Arizona, where she attended the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health and graduated among the top of her class. Dr. Tasooji then continued her education at the prestigious University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake City. She has been blessed to work in unique places from the rural hills of Mexico, to the jungles of Jamaica, to the eastern shore of Maryland, and now back on the west coast. She is confident in all aspects of dentistry, with special interests in cosmetics, surgery and working with individuals with special needs.

In her free time, you can find Dr. Tasooji out exploring with her husband and Sheltie-Terrier mix, Odysseus (Ody). She loves to rock climb, practice yoga, and enjoys iced lattes. Dr. Tasooji loves to be be front row at concerts, theaters and comedy shows.

Dr. Tasooji believes a healthy and beautiful smile is important to a person’s overall health and well-being. She is fulfilled by helping people understand and take control of their own oral health.

Dr. Mark Builder

Dr. Mark Builder, a native of Canada, was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry from a young age, thanks to a close family friend who was a dentist. This early inspiration led him to graduate from Oregon Health Sciences University in 2000, where he earned High Clinical Honors and High Academic Honors. Dr. Builder is deeply committed to Continuing Dental Education and has completed an extensive curriculum at the Kois Center, specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive dentistry.

His post-doctoral studies span a wide range of dental disciplines, including root canal therapy, surgical implant placement, periodontal surgery, oral surgery, and bone grafting surgery. What Dr. Builder loves most about his profession, however, is the meaningful connections he forms with his patients.

Dr. John Luke Covalt

Dr. John Luke Covalt’s deep-rooted connection with dentistry began during his childhood, thanks to his mother’s role as a dental office manager. This early familiarity with dental settings fuels his commitment to making patients feel comfortable during their visits. His mission is to educate patients, enabling them to make well-informed choices about their oral health while fostering trust.

Raised in Pampa, Texas, Dr. Covalt discovered his passion for dentistry. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with High Honors, he pursued a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School. There, he took on leadership roles as the President of the dental fraternity, Xi Psi Phi, and the Student Intramural Representative.

Before joining the Bend Family Dentistry team in Bend, Oregon, Dr. Covalt practiced dentistry in Austin, Texas, refining his skills and expertise. He holds certifications in Basic Cardiac Life Support, Western Regional Examination Board Certification, and Invisalign. Dr. Covalt is an active member of professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, Oregon Dental Association, and The Academy of General Dentistry. With his wife, Megan, and their three dogs, Murphy, Zeus, and Cobalt, Dr. Covalt embraces Bend’s natural beauty. They enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, skiing, kayaking, and fishing while also supporting local restaurants and breweries. Their eagerness to contribute to the vibrant Bend community is palpable.

Dr. Lindsey Theda

Dr. Lindsey Theda grew up an hour outside of Seattle, WA in the Snoqualmie Valley. Her very first job when she was 16 was working as a front desk assistant in a dental office in Fall City, WA. She became interested in dentistry as an adolescent because she had a missing adult front tooth. Specifically, she became interested in the best way to replace teeth in the most natural way and understands how much teeth can play a role in self-esteem.

Dr. Theda received a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Bioethics from the University of Washington. She completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree through the University of Washington Dental School. During her dental education, she got involved with the American Student Dental Association and volunteered to provide dental care to homeless and low-income adults in the Seattle Area. She then completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency training through the Olin E Teague Veterans’ Medical Center in Temple, TX which focused heavily on the comprehensive dental care of medically complex patients, dental implants, and crowns.

When she is not working she enjoys hiking, skiing, traveling and scuba diving!