MOSES LAKE, Wash. — After nearly 30 years at the helm, Dr. Craig Harder has retired from Moses Lake Family Dentistry, passing leadership to Dr. Nicholas Smith on Jan. 9.
“We’ve got a great guy who’s going to continue the tradition and take good care of people,” Harder said.
Harder, a Spokane native, grew up around the medical field; his father was a veterinarian serving communities from Kahlotus to Ritzville. Inspired by his father’s small business and passion for healthcare, Harder initially planned to follow in his footsteps but ultimately chose dentistry.
After completing undergraduate studies at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Harder attended Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He began his career as an associate in Moscow, Idaho, before taking over the Moses Lake practice in 1996 following the death of Dr. Ron Tuff.
Harder expanded the practice in 2003, moving from a three-operatory building on Ivy Avenue to a modern six-operatory facility on Nelson Road. “Hopefully Nicholas can expand it some more and keep it growing and improving,” he said.
Smith, who grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, was drawn to dentistry through work with his dentist uncle. He followed a path similar to Harder’s, completing undergraduate studies at ISU and dental school at Creighton, where he studied under some of the same professors. After working in Arizona and Hailey, Idaho, Smith and his family relocated to Moses Lake, where he eventually acquired the practice.
Harder emphasized the importance of passing the practice to someone who prioritizes patient care over corporate profits. “I was very relieved to know that it was going to move to a single person who would take good care of people without the money being the top object,” he said.
While Harder plans to travel and continue telemedicine work for dental sleep apnea in Dallas, Texas, Smith intends to maintain the practice’s focus on general dentistry, including fillings, crowns, and extractions. He also aims to expand services to include implants and minor surgery to better serve patients.
“I want people to know that we’re here to help them and take care of them,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of people who don’t have a dental home, and we’re trying to help people have a home.”