Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Hailee Rask.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Becoming an orthodontist was actually a plan B for me. I was in my junior year of college at Tulane University when I began to doubt my chosen career path of biological energy research and development. While I was passionate about the topic of green energy, I was lonely working in the lab and frustrated with the slow progress of my research. Maybe I was impatient–I thought I would have solved the fossil fuel/climate change issue before I earned my bachelor’s! I confided my disillusionment to a friend who was in the process of applying to dental school and she simply said, ” I think you would make a great dentist.” I had never considered dentistry, but I did have all the pre-requisite classes, so why not? I spent a month observing my family dentist and orthodontist and was shortly convinced. As an orthodontist, I could be my own boss and (most importantly) make a huge impact on my patient’s health and self-esteem.
Fast forward seven years and I was graduating from my residency in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics from the University of Texas. and my husband and I were looking forward to moving home to New Orleans, Louisiana to start my own practice. However, we ended up having to find another “plan B” when my husband’s job was relocated to Salt Lake City. We had no family or friends in Utah and I had no business connections in the area. After much debate, we decided to take the plunge and head out West.
When we first moved, I planned to work in local orthodontic offices until we got the opportunity to move back to Louisiana. To say Salt Lake City is different from New Orleans is an understatement, so we wanted to get back home ASAP! However, we quickly discovered that our new home was a beautiful and unique place, both culturally and naturally. As we spent time exploring, we realized that Utah offered many potential opportunities for our family and careers. Like many people, the COVID shutdown of 2020 forced me to evaluate my goals. I decided it was time for me to pursue my dream of opening my own orthodontic office. After a year of planning, we finally began seeing patients in August 2021! We are still “working out the kinks”, but I could not be more excited and proud to be a new woman-owned healthcare business in Utah.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest obstacle Bluebird Orthodontics has faced is being the first of its kind (aka the first Invisalign-only orthodontic office in Utah)! Our office layout, hours, employees, and patient flow are all different from a traditional orthodontic office. There is no “playbook” so I have been relying mostly on my intuition. We are also located in an office space that was not originally designed for dentistry or orthodontics, so we have had to get creative to make sure the space offers adequate functionality.
One of the struggles I am currently conquering is developing my reputation in the area. Although I have been living and working in Utah for several years, it is challenging setting up a new healthcare business in an established area. Bluebird Orthodontics is in a lovely neighborhood with an awesome energy and I am looking forward to sharing my skills and building trust in my community.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Bluebird Orthodontics is Utah’s first female-owned, Invisalign-only orthodontic office. Dr. Hailee Rask specializes in esthetic orthodontic treatment, primarily Invisalign. We are proud of our ability to treat patients of all ages and orthodontic complexity with Invisalign, even cases that other orthodontists would claim don’t qualify. We are a high-tech digital office but maintain a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. We value educating our patients and developing a custom treatment plan for each case. We also offer Dr. Rask’s favorite oral health care products, in-office whitening, and dental reshaping.
What makes you happy?
I love having a project to work on. From painting to drawing to gardening to setting up an orthodontic office! I get satisfaction from the whole process of initial design, execution, and then admiring the final product. I think that’s why I love my job so much–every case is a work of art I get to design and watch progress!
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@bluebirdorthodontics.com
- Website: https://www.bluebirdorthodontics.com/
- Instagram: @bluebirdortho
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bluebird-Orthodontics/100068046141627/
