About Us
In our office we treat each patient as if he/she were one of our own family members. We strive to deliver quality orthodontic care with excellent service and results. We try to do this at an affordable fee, in a punctual and efficient manner, and in a safe and caring environment. We are open to serve you, answer questions or schedule an appointment during the following hours:
Monday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Tuesday and Wednesday 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday 8:00am to 5:00pm
About The Doctor
Dr. Bauer grew up in the Midwest, in the city of Springfield, MO. He finished high school and then moved to the San Diego area, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from San Diego State University in 1986. He then earned his dental degree at UCLA in 1990. He completed his orthodontic residency in 1992 at Saint Louis University, where he obtained his Master’s of Science degree in Orthodontics. Dr. Bauer has practiced orthodontics exclusively since.
Dr. Bauer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. This certification is a voluntary process that provides an extensive review of the orthodontist’s basic education and an intensive assessment of the orthodontist’s clinical expertise. Certification as a Diplomate signifies a unique achievement. When Dr. Bauer earned his Diplomate status, March of 2003, there were only 2,023 orthodontists throughout the world who were Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics.
Dr. Bauer is an active member of the following professional societies:
- The American Dental Association
- The California Dental Association
- The San Diego Dental Society
- The American Association of Orthodontists
- The Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
- San Diego County Orthodontic Study Club
Dr. Bauer routinely participates in continuing education to stay abreast of advances in technologies, techniques, and new materials. He attends orthodontic seminars regularly to keep up with the current trends and advancements in the orthodontic profession. Dr. Bauer cares for his patients as he would a family member. He has practiced orthodontics in Poway since 1993.
Dr. Bauer resides in Poway with his wife Kim, and their three children, Kelly, Amanda, and Jeff. He enjoys spending time with his family, as well as mountain biking and riding motorcycles.
Leanna Kurtz
Leanna Kurtz
Office Manager/Patient Coordinator
Leanna is our Office Manager/Patient Coordinator. She has been with our practice since 2003. She has a good understanding of all aspects of the practice. Leanna is a great help in keeping our office running smoothly and properly. If you have any questions regarding our services, finances or insurance, Leanna will be happy to assist you.
Jamie Martinez
Jaime Martinez
Registered Dental Assistant and Orthodontic Laboratory Technician
Jamie is one of our chair side assistants and is also our orthodontic laboratory technician. He has been with our practice since 1997. Jamie is a licensed Registered Dental Assistant who has over 25 years of experience in Orthodontics. He is very gentle and patient. Jamie makes sure that the patient is comfortable and at ease and understands what the patient is experiencing during the appointment. Jamie is married with three children of his own and relates well with all our patients. He is also fluent in Spanish and English.
Carmela Medina
Carmela Medina
Registered Dental Assistant
Carmela is a chair side assistant who has been with our practice since 2006. Carmela is also a licensed Registered Dental Assistant and has over 25 years of experience in the orthodontic profession. She has two children of her own and is a very patient and caring individual who also relates well with all of our patients.
Maria Alvidrez
Maria Alvidrez
Front Office Administrator
Maria is our front office administrator. She has been with our practice since 2019. Maria will help you with scheduling appointments, making payments and issuing school excuse slips. Maria is very friendly and is understanding of your busy schedules. She will try her best to accommodate you. Maria is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Appointments
Appointments are an important part of your treatment. This is time specifically set aside for you. Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you may be asked to reschedule. We request a 24-hour notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. We are aware and understand that unforeseen events sometimes require missing an appointment, and we appreciate your cooperation.
Finances
We never want costs to stand in the way of quality treatment, which is why we are dedicated to providing our patients with care that is both effective and affordable. Your treatment plan will include a breakdown of all applicable fees, and we will inform you of all costs before treatment is administered. We offer a variety of payment options to meet your needs.
For your convenience, we accept payments by cash, checks and major credit cards. We also offer no-interest financing options through our office. If you have any questions about payment or financing, please ask us. We will thoroughly explain your choices and work hard to accommodate you.
Insurance
Our office is committed to helping you maximize your insurance benefits. Because insurance policies vary, we can only estimate your coverage in good faith but cannot guarantee coverage due to the complexities of insurance contracts. Your estimated patient portion is the amount that your insurance does not cover. We will create a convenient payment plan for this portion. As a service to our patients, we will bill insurance companies for orthodontic services. Please inform us of any changes to your insurance coverage. If you have questions, our courteous front office staff is available to answer them.
When you first visit our office, bring your current insurance card with you. If you change insurance companies or join another employer’s plan, please be sure to let us know. If an insurance referral is necessary, please bring the completed form with you to your appointment.
We are also pleased to be a provider for Denti-Cal Insurance. If you are a Denti-Cal recipient, please bring your Denti-Cal card with you on your first visit. Denti-Cal has certain requirements that must be met before a patient qualifies for treatment. We will review those requirements on your first visit to determine if you qualify for orthodontic therapy under the Denti-Cal program.