Dr. Kari Ann Hong, DDS

Dr. Kari Ann Hong grew up in Thousand Oaks and graduated from Westlake High School in 1996, as a valedictorian. As a child she had many fond memories of playing in her father's office with plaster and attending the California dental associations annual conventions. While an undergraduate freshman at UCLA, she volunteered in a dental research laboratory and decided she wanted to apply to dental school. In 2003, Dr. Hong received her doctorate in dental surgery from the UCLA School of Dentistry.

Dr. Kari Ann Hong considers herself a life long learner and is always looking for new opportunities to gain knowledge of new materials and techniques. For example, Dr. Hong has advanced training from a yearlong residency course in Cosmetic Dentistry from Esthetic Professionals in Tarzana, California. In addition, she has completed nearly 200 hours of training in TMJ and occlusal therapies from The Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Santa Barbara-Ventura County Dental Society, and the Spears Study Club.

In recent years, Dr. Hong has directed her continuing education focus on a preventative medicine approach to dentistry. Dr. Hong completed the BaleDoneen Method Preceptorship in 2019 to prevent and reverse heart disease. Most recently, in 2023, Dr. Hong and her entire team became Recode 2.0 Dental Certified, which allows them to be able to assist patients with the dental root causes that contribute to cognitive decline.

In 2011, Dr. Hong's father retired from doing clinical dentistry and Dr. Kari Ann Hong took over the management and patient care at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry. We at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry are committed to providing excellent care for our patients.

On a personal note, Dr. Hong enjoys spending time with her husband and five kids. She and her family enjoy an active lifestyle of water skiing, snow skiing, boating, hiking, and overall adventure seeking.

DR. CHRISSY TAPP, DDS

Dr. Chrissy Tapp grew up in Pennsylvania, where she attended Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales and earned a B.S. in Chemistry. She moved to southern California for dental school and earned her doctorate in dentistry from the USC School of Dentistry in 2004. A year later she settled in the Conejo Valley and has worked with many of the finest dentists across Ventura County.

Dr. Chrissy Tapp is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Santa Barbara-Ventura County Dental Society. She is also a member of the Spears Study Club, and has taken hundreds of hours of continuing education with an emphasis on providing the highest quality conservative dental treatment. In addition, she is dedicated to providing each patient with individualized care and service. Outside the office, Dr. Tapp enjoys spending time with her son Evan. They love being active outdoors with friends and family.

Dr. Chase ruckhaber, dmd

Dr. Ruckhaber grew up in Michigan, where he attended the University of Michigan and earned a B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, graduating with University Honors. He moved to Chicago to complete his doctorate in dental medicine from Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, where he graduated top of his class and was regularly elected as a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. He now resides in Sherman Oaks and is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Spears Study Club.

Dr. Ruckhaber is a personable and passionate dentist known for his gentle demeanor, clinical precision, and commitment to patient-centered care. He blends advanced technical expertise with a compassionate approach, creating a welcoming environment where patients feel heard, comfortable, and confident in their treatment. Driven by a commitment to excellence, Dr. Ruckhaber embraces the latest innovations in modern dentistry—from digital imaging to minimally invasive techniques—to deliver high-quality, aesthetically focused care. His philosophy is rooted in open communication, ethical practice, and helping individuals achieve both their oral health and smile goals through thoughtful, personalized treatment.

Outside of the office, Dr. Ruckhaber enjoys an active lifestyle, spending his free time traveling, playing golf, rooting for his Detroit sports teams, exploring new restaurants, and indulging in outdoor activities like boating and hiking. Whether he’s on the water or in the dental office, his goal is the same: to build meaningful relationships and make people feel at ease.

Our Support Staff at Thousand Oaks Family Dentistry in order from left to right: Franchesca Lopez RDA; Maribel Vargas-Fernandez RDA; Mariline Leyva, RDA