Dr Baron Hall partners with Allure Ortho to release “Noah Gets Braces!,” a step-by-step picture book designed to ease patient anxiety and improve the waiting room experience.
By Jessie Gainor
Baron D. Hall, DDS, MSD, a board-certified orthodontist based in Southern Indiana, noticed a persistent void in patient education materials early in his career. While digital resources abound in modern practices, Hall saw a unique opportunity to connect with younger patients through a traditional medium: children’s literature. Following the release of his first book, Emma Gets Braces!, Hall has now partnered with Allure Ortho to launch Noah Gets Braces!, a step-by-step rhyming picture book designed to demystify the orthodontic process for new patients.
Addressing the Fear of the Unknown
Hall, who opened his private practice, Seymour Orthodontics, in 2013, initially drew inspiration from reading Dr. Seuss books to his own children. He wanted to capture that same engaging, read-aloud energy for his patients. While Emma Gets Braces! successfully introduced the concept of orthodontic treatment, Hall notes that the most frequent critique from readers was its lack of detail regarding the actual bonding process.
“In the years since Emma was released, several other orthodontists have written children’s books about braces, but there was still a gap in educating patients about what happens, step-by-step, when you get braces,” says Hall.
According to Hall, the primary driver of anxiety for young patients can be summed up in one word: the unknown. Children often hear rumors that getting braces is a painful experience. Noah Gets Braces! directly addresses these fears by walking readers through the appointment, showing them that while the materials might taste unpleasant, the application process itself does not hurt. The narrative intentionally builds toward the most anticipated part of the appointment—choosing elastic colors—to leave the reader on a positive, excited note.
The Enduring Value of Printed Literature
In an era where many practices rely heavily on YouTube videos, social media, and digital presentations to educate families, Hall remains a strong advocate for physical books in the clinical environment. He keeps copies of his books in the waiting area and treatment planning rooms, allowing patients to familiarize themselves with the process before they even meet the doctor.
“I believe that printed literature is still essential, especially in this modern era of everything being digital,” Hall explains. “There’s something about holding a physical book that forces you to slow down. In my opinion, you can absorb it better. If you absorb it better, you can appreciate it more.”
Even with his strong advocacy for print, Hall recognizes that digital resources play a vital, complementary role in modern patient education. To bridge these two worlds, he developed The Braces App (available from the Apple App Store and Google Play), a comprehensive digital companion designed to support families before, during, and after their orthodontic journey.
The platform features a library of tutorials covering common at-home tasks, such as applying orthodontic wax, flossing with a fixed retainer, and attaching elastics. It has since grown to include free games, a section dedicated to books about braces, and various color selection tools. By utilizing these resources, patients and their families can arrive at their initial appointments highly prepared, already understanding the mechanics of tooth movement and the differences between comprehensive aligner treatment and traditional brackets.
A Strategic Industry Partnership
To bring Noah Gets Braces! to a wider audience, Hall sought out an industry partner, eventually teaming up with Allure Ortho. The collaboration began after Hall approached the company with his story and illustration concepts.
Dan Elkin, president at Allure Ortho, was immediately receptive to the idea, leading to a partnership where the company’s products were integrated directly into the book’s illustrations. The final product was officially introduced at the Allure Ortho booth during the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) Annual Session in Orlando.
To support widespread distribution, Allure Ortho is offering bulk discounts for practices that purchase the book to give to patients or use as referral gifts for referring dentists. The book will be available for sale at the beginning of August, and copies can be ordered by contacting [email protected].
Stepping Outside the Clinical Comfort Zone
As a growing number of orthodontists explore non-clinical endeavors like writing, consulting, and software development, Hall, who is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Authors Guild, encourages his peers to pursue their own creative impulses.
“If you’re thinking of trying something outside of orthodontics, just do it,” he advises. “I believe that orthodontists are creative by nature, and there’s so much more we can provide to our patients, communities, profession, etc. if we get outside of our day-to-day comfort zones.”
For Hall, what began as a simple desire to write a book evolved into a passion project that now serves as a practical tool for reducing patient anxiety and improving the daily educational workflow of his practice. OP
Photos courtesy of Dr Baron Hall.
Jessie Gainor is a contributing writer for Orthodontic Products.
