Meet the Dentists

Born in Chicago, Dr. Catherine Quas (Dr. Cate) moved to Bend, Oregon at the age of six. Bend was much smaller then, with St. Charles Hospital, Wetles, and the Pilot Butte Inn located downtown and only 3 operating chairlifts at Mt. Bachelor. Growing up in a small town instilled in her a sense of trust, community and pride.

Dr. Cate's dental training was completed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. Following dental school, she completed two residencies, one in pediatric dentistry and the other in orthodontics at the UCLA School of Dental Medicine. She returned to Central Oregon to open Bluefish Dental in 2004.

In addition to private practice, she has been intimately involved in community efforts to improve oral health in children working with the Central Oregon Health Coalition, a collaborative effort with the agencies of Deschutes County Health Department, Healthy Beginnings, Head Start, and the Kemple Clinic to improve the oral health status of children in Central Oregon. She serves on the Board of The Kemple Clinic and contributes with time and service donations to Project Connect, Give Kids a Smile, The School to Work Alliance, and children's health awareness events.

Dr. Cate Quas believes that helping people is both a privilege and a responsibility. Albert Schweitzer said, "My life is my argument." This is a saying she takes to heart. For her, to say, "I want to make a difference" is one thing, to live that way is an entirely different matter.

Say the word "dentist" and a lot of things come to mind. White smock. Little mirror on a stick. Floss. How about adrenaline junkie! When he's not surfing, mountain biking, kayaking, skiing or skateboarding, Dr. John Frachella (Dr. John) can be found at Bluefish Dental. In his spare time, he designs whitewater kayaks, mountain bikes and is working on his ultimate surfboard layout.

Prior to his entrance at Bluefish Dental, he provided dental care in a public health clinic in Bangor, Maine. Within this clinic, Dr. John worked exclusively with underserved children providing dental care for more than 30 years. His passion has been to help kids and parents overcome their fear of having dental work done, something he sees as a privilege.

To Bluefish Dental he adds energy, compassion and an unquenchable hunger for knowledge. While not treating patients at Bluefish Dental, Dr. John is pioneering an effort to open several not-for-profit dental clinics (Asher Clinics) to serve the rural communities of Eastern Oregon.

We are proud to have him as a part of our team.

Born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Susan Armstrong completed her dental training at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. Following graduation, she pursued additional dental training and experience in an AEGD residency with an emphasis in oral surgery and pediatric dentistry. Dr. Armstrong completed her residency at the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Toppenish, Washington. Based on her experience within the clinic and its contribution to providing care to underserved populations, she sought a work environment where she too could make a difference.

Toward that effort, Dr. Armstrong has been on staff at St. Charles Medical Center since 2007.  She is a regularly contributing practitioner for underserved children from the Kemple Clinic. She serves on the Board of the Kemple Memorial Clinic pioneering ways to improve access to care for childen in Central Oregon. She has helped with dental screenings and advocated for improved oral healthcare in children in Deschutes County. The blend with Bluefish Dental could not have been more seamless. It is with pride we present her as one of our doctors.