WestCoast has served the Columbia River Gorge since 1980. The Chapman family bought the practice in 2008, and we've been building it together ever since, same family every visit, same hands on every case.
1980Founded by Gary Hornbeck, L.D.
2002Chris Chapman joins as an associate
2008Chris buys the practice
2019Christian joins the lab
2021Austin joins as a Licensed Denturist
The clinic was founded in 1980 by Gary Hornbeck, a Licensed Denturist who built a reputation across the Gorge for honest work and putting patients first.
Chris Chapman was already a licensed denturist when he joined Gary as an associate in 2002, and he continued to refine his craft working alongside him. In 2008, when Gary was ready to step back, he sold the practice to Chris.
Chris and Melanie Chapman have run WestCoast together since. Their son Austin joined the practice after earning his denturist license and his ZestMaster certification. He and Chris are spearheading our implant supported restorations program. Austin's brother Christian is our Lab Technician, every set of teeth that goes into a patient's mouth gets designed and built by the Chapman family in our Hood River clinic.
Same family every visit, same hands on every case.
Founder / Owner. Licensed Denturist.
Chris Chapman is a Licensed Denturist with 30 years of experience helping patients with personalized denture and implant solutions. Chris began his career as a denture specialist in 1997, working as a laboratory technician at the Artistic Denture Center in Roseburg, OR. The following year he trained at George Brown College's International Denturist Education Program in Toronto, Canada, working under a licensed denturist, honing the skills that he would use throughout his career. He sat for his Oregon Board of Denture Technology exams in 2001. Chris moved to Hood River, OR 25 years ago and has owned and operated WestCoast Digital Denture and Implant Center since 2008.
Chris and his wife Melanie enjoy seeing the practice grow into a multigenerational family business, with his sons, Austin and Christian, carrying forward the values and dedication to patient care that have defined the practice for decades.
Co-Owner. Licensed Denturist.
Melanie Chapman is a Licensed Denturist with over 12 years of experience helping patients restore their smiles and confidence. Melanie moved to Hood River, Oregon, in 2002 with her husband, Chris, where they have spent the past two decades building WestCoast Digital Denture and Implant Center and raising their six children.
In 2014, Melanie furthered her education by attending the American Denturist College. While she enjoys all aspects of her profession, the most rewarding part of her work is the personal connection she builds with patients and seeing how dentures and dental implants can positively change their lives. Today, Melanie is proud to work alongside her sons, Austin and Christian, as they carry forward the family's passion for patient care and commitment to excellence. Outside the clinic, Melanie enjoys life in the Gorge and spending time with Chris, their children, and grandchildren.
Licensed Denturist.
Austin Chapman is a Licensed Denturist who joined WestCoast Digital Denture and Implant Center in 2021. Raised in the Columbia River Gorge, Austin grew up watching his parents, Chris and Melanie Chapman, help patients restore their smiles and confidence. Their passion for patient care inspired him to pursue a career in denturism and continue the family tradition.
Austin graduated from the American Denturist College and is dedicated to providing personalized care that helps patients improve their comfort, function, and quality of life. Drawing from both traditional denture training and modern digital workflows, Austin is committed to providing patients with the benefits of time-tested techniques and today's most advanced technology. Outside the clinic, Austin enjoys spending time with family and staying active through fitness and outdoor recreation.
Dental Designer & Laboratory Technician.
Christian Chapman is a dental designer and laboratory technician who joined WestCoast Digital Denture and Implant Center in 2019. Raised in Hood River, Christian grew up in a family dedicated to denture care and developed a passion for helping create smiles that improve patients’ confidence and quality of life.
Christian has undergone extensive training in digital denture design, the computer-aided design and milling workflow used in our lab, and modern laboratory workflows. He combines traditional denture principles with advanced digital techniques to help create high-quality, customized prosthetics for patients throughout the Columbia River Gorge and surrounding communities.
Christian now enjoys his time living in White Salmon. Outside of the laboratory, he enjoys spending time with family, exploring the outdoors, and pursuing his passion for music, including both electric and acoustic guitar.
Office Manager.
Mayra is the Office Manager at WestCoast Digital Denture and Implant Center and the welcoming voice behind the practice. With over 10 years of experience in healthcare and dental administration, she oversees scheduling, patient intake, and answering phone calls. Communication is her #1 key. She ensures everything is clear so every patient has a smooth experience as they enter our doors and feel like it's their second home. Having lived in the Columbia River Gorge for nearly 28 years, Mayra loves connecting with local residents through her role at the clinic. She is the proud mom of two soccer players who are talented and passionate about the sport. She enjoys supporting them on and off the field while spending quality time with her family.
Lab Technician & Receptionist.
Grace joined WestCoast Digital Denture & Implant Center in 2023 and has since become a valued part of both the laboratory and front office teams, working as a lab technician and receptionist. As the second of Chris and Melanie's three daughters and sister to Austin and Christian, Grace is proud to be part of the family practice and contribute to caring for patients throughout the Columbia River Gorge.
Outside of work, Grace is currently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and enjoys staying active through fitness and spending time with family and friends.
Dental Laboratory Technician.
Nataly joined the WestCoast Digital Denture & Implant Center team in 2026 as a dental laboratory technician, where she is part of the team that helps bring each patient's new smile to life. She brings many years of experience in customer service, team management, and operations, along with a strong commitment to providing a positive experience for both patients and her fellow team members.
Having grown up in Hood River, Nataly values the opportunity to serve her local community while continuing to learn and grow within the dental profession. Outside of WestCoast, she enjoys the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, taking long walks, and cooking for her family.
Our prices are listed publicly because we believe you should know the cost before you decide on treatment. We keep our pricing straightforward, with no unnecessary additions or surprises. You'll know what the work costs upfront, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
Many dental offices are designed around volume. We aren’t. At WestCoast, consultations typically take an hour or more because we believe the right treatment starts with understanding what you actually need. We take the time to listen, answer your questions, and develop a plan around you, not the clock. Our patients consistently tell us it’s one of the things they value most.
Every smile we create is designed for the person wearing it. We consider your face, your features, your reference photos, and, most importantly, what you want your smile to look like. Some patients want perfectly straight teeth. Others want subtle personalization and character that make their smile feel natural and uniquely theirs. We design and build toward your vision, not a template.
Three offices across the Columbia River Gorge. The alternative for most patients is a 45-to-90-minute drive to Portland, Bend, or Tri-Cities, WA.
Main Lab
Snap-on, and digital dentures in Hood River. 926 12th St.
Same-day & Snap-on Dentures, in The Dalles. 417 Washington St.
Denture care for eastern Oregon. 115 W Hermiston Ave., Ste. 150 (inside Grainary Square)
