One time I heard someone laugh when she heard that dentists change lives. Ive thought about this a long time: I dont take myself too seriously but I really do think I can make a meaningful difference in peoples lives.
While not everyone needs their dentist for life satisfaction, when I am working on a larger case, my goal is to provide the patient with a better quality of life. By giving a person the ability to comfortably eat the foods they love, or to smile with more confidence, I think I am changing that persons life.
Dentistry is a profession that requires a lot of trust between the patient and providers. I think many patients are hesitant to seek treatment because they do not trust the dentist (or the office in general).
I strive to provide an honest, caring environment where patients feel heard, respected, and cared about, and trust that we have their best interests at heart. I love providing this atmosphere and seeing how patients, especially those who have had a negative view of dentistry in the past, respond to it.
At Strobel Dentistry, we have an uncommon level of commitment to providing an experience that exceeds patients expectations. We offer comprehensive care, honest treatment guidance and planning, and clear payment options.
I continuously strive to bring my patients the best, latest dental advancements to help them achieve optimal oral health and improve their overall wellness. Continuing education allows me to stay abreast of recent developments and trends, ensuring I choose the best techniques and materials with which to serve patients.
Throughout the year I complete courses on clinical procedures and business management through Spear Education. I am also a member of the CEREC Study Club and regularly attend dental meetings, lectures, and seminars.
I grew up in Orland Park and now live in Riverside with my family. Missy and I met in college, at the University of Notre Dame. We got married in 2004 and have four wonderful kids. Originally from Portland, Oregon, Missy taught at Chicago Public Schools for six years before having our first child and taking over the local PTO.
If Im not in the office, youll most often find me with Missy and the kids: Dylan, 11, enjoys soccer and beating his Dad in chess; Avery, 10, is the current odds favorite to take over the practice; Emma Rose, 8, is the sweetest little 2nd grader in the world; and Tommy, 6, has focused less on the sweetness and earned the nickname savage at school.
During the day Missy, the kids, and I are traveling between piano lessons, French horn practice, chess team, soccer games, gymnastic meets, dance recitals, and my favorite baseball games! Afterward, Missy and I love exploring new Chicago restaurants. And if I need some quiet time, I actually enjoy getting out for a run.
When Dr. Terrassa is willing to hold down the practice, the family and I are lucky enough to travel. Weve done mostly easy, domestic trips but now that the kids are older, were excited to be looking at some more adventurous travels.
It is important to Missy and I to be good role models for our kids. Thats my #1 priority in life. After that, I am interested in building relationships with good people: I am a big proponent of the concept You are who you surround yourself with.
I feel fortunate to meet and interact with individuals from diverse walks of life, each with their own experiences, insights, and dreams. Every person brings something different to my day: a joke, a piece of trivia, a story to relate. Each of these encounters enriches my day and broadens my world; I truly appreciate all that my patients teach me!
I want each of my patients to feel supported and cared for, to know that they are important to me, and that I always have their best interests at heart. Whether Im working to get a person out of pain, helping them feel better about their smile, or providing education as they take control of their oral health, that person has my full attention.
Dentistry involves trust and requires open, attentive communication. I need to understand a persons desires and concerns in order to provide them with the ideal care. At the same time, my patient needs to feel comfortable talking with me and feel confident that I am hearing what they are expressing, while being respectful of their constraints.
I am particularly drawn to working with people who have dental phobias. Whether a result of a past experience or some other origin, if someone experiences anxiety at the thought of a dental visit, they may avoid care for years. This avoidance can lead to serious oral health issues, as well as impact their emotional wellbeing and overall health.
Dentistry is a constantly changing field. Ongoing research leads to technological innovations, new materials, and changes in treatment planning and methodologies. Many of these developments mean improvements in the patients experience and results.
During the year, I take advantage of numerous opportunities to learn, attendmeetings, seminars, and lectures. I am a member of the Spear Study Club, participate in CEREC continuing education, and take courses through Solea Doctors, as well.
If Im not seeing patients, or devouring the latest dental journal, I can often be found working on some new artsy project, or glass blowing. I also enjoy trying out new restaurants. Most of all, I love being an aunt to three awesome kids.
Originally from southern Florida, Dr. Scott, our on-site specialist, started at the University of Pennsylvania for undergrad and dental school; in 2016 he completed his residency in Periodontics at University of Illinois at Chicago. His collaborative research at UPenn, UIC, and Hadassah Hospital has been published in several peer-reviewed journals.
As the son of two physicians, he has always been drawn to the healthcare field and uniquely positioned to identify inefficiencies and devise solutions. Finding himself disappointed at best by the practice resources available to dental clinicians when he graduated, he was inspired to create the start up Supply Clinic. This online resource makes vetted, high quality materials available to users directly from their sources, increasing efficiency and transparency when supplying a practice.
Clinically, Dr. Scott specializes in bringing patients with periodontal disease and tooth loss back to oral health. His procedures includebone and connective tissue grafting , wisdom tooth extractions , and implant placement . He is an active member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, Academy of Osseointegration, and is certified by the Board of Periodontology.
We recognize that all of our patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice.
Our hygienist Leslie comes to us from Indiana where she graduated from Chicago State University with a BS in Biology in 2001. She went on to earn her Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene at Kennedy King College/UIC in 2010 and received a MS in Biotechnology from Rush University in 2013. Leslie enjoys working with patients and helping them to improve their oral health through education tailored to their specific needs. She is committed to keeping our patients as comfortable, informed, and happy as possible. Leslie takes great pleasure in helping others and learning more about our patients and her field.
Michelle, one of our patient coordinators, joined our staff in 2010 and has more than 20 years of experience in the dental field. Originally from Miami, Florida, she is Cuban-American and fluent in both English and Spanish. After her first visit here in 2006, she fell in love with the vibrant energy of the city and became determined to make the move to Chicago, despite the drastic difference in weather. Michelle started with us in August 2010 and presents treatment plans for patients of Dr. Dan.
Alison, our senior hygienist, is originally from Council Bluffs, Iowa and has been with the practice since June of 2005. She joined our team after receiving her Bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Alison enjoys creating relationships with our patients and helping them obtain optimal dental health.
Jess, our office manager, came to us with extensive administrative experience in the complementary healthcare field. She is thrilled to have delved into the field of dentistry and be working with the talented people at Strobel. Jess earned her Bachelors in Creative Writing at the University of Pittsburgh and later studied further to become a licensed massage therapist. At our office, she does a little bit of everything, including insurance, HR, tech support, and marketing. Jess has great energy and a real dedication to our patients.
Sharon, our hygiene coordinator, was born and raised in Indiana. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in Sociology, and after working in the field for several years, she returned there to pursue a Masters of Public Affairs. She has served her community for almost two decades in many capacities and is very excited for the new challenge of working in the dental field. Sharon works to build relationships with our patients, meeting with them to discuss treatment plans, and monitoring their progress frombeginning toend. She enjoys being part of a team that recognizes that each person is valuable to the success of the entire practice.
Evette, Dr. Isabellas dental assistant, was born and raised in Chicago. She has been in the dental industry since 2010 and strives every day to improve her skills in order to guarantee her patients the best experience and highest quality treatment. Evette views our patients as family and aims to make them enjoy themselves while they are in the dental chair, while also helping them feel good about their dental hygiene.
Brooke is a dental assistant and works alongside Dr. Dan. She is originally from northern Michigan and moved to Chicago in the fall of 2014 with her husband. While in Michigan, she got her dental assisting certificate at Northwestern Michigan College and has loved what she does ever since. Her favorite thing is interacting with patients and helping contribute to their overall joy as they get to see their oral health transformed for the better.
Brooke and her husband Galen have two pups, Mowgli and London, who are fun, furry and an overall blast to have as a part of their family. Brooke enjoys going to coffee shops and reading while drinking a good hot cup of coffee or tea. As her husband is a pastor, Brooke enjoys serving and loving people of all backgrounds.
Aer started her career here in 2006 as a dental assistantfor almost two years before returning to hygiene school and graduating in May 2010. She received her Bachelors degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago, as well as her Associates degree in Dental Hygiene. Aer is very friendly and loves to be around other people. She speaks Tagalog and English fluently. She excels in patient education and we are delighted to have her in our practice as the dental hygiene team lead.
Aer is originally from the Philippines and moved to Beach Park, Illinois in 2002. She and her husband Greg have two children, Yohann Sebastian, who is 3years old and 1 year-old Yoell Graesanti. They love to travel and have been to 20+ countries and twice more cities!
Bridget came to us in the summer of 2018. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Bridget graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2011 with her Bachelors in Psychology. While attending UIC, Bridget worked as a dental assistant for an endodontist, which provided her with the skills to calm even the most anxious of patients. After five years of assisting, she returned to school to earn her Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene from the College of DuPage in 2017. Bridgets approach to dental hygiene is a gentle but effective touch. She enjoys working with patients one on one and providing the educational tools they need to obtain optimal health.
Bridget and her husband live in the city and enjoy traveling when they are able to get away. They recently went to Italy and Paris for a two-week honeymoon! Bridget loves to cook and bake, and try out all the great restaurants Chicago has to offer.
Kimberly joined our team in the summer of 2018 and has been assisting in dentistry for more than five years in the specialties of oral surgery and endodontics. She especially enjoys working with patients to help them keep their smiles healthy. She appreciates the variety of duties around the office and is constantly learning something new. Kimberly is excited to be a part of the best team in the Chicagoland area!
Kimberly has lived in the Chicago area for the past six years. In her free time, she enjoys catching up on the latest movies, eating out with friends, and getting into a good historical fiction book. She also loves spending time with her daughter Makayla and French bulldog puppy, Harley.