Dr. Sheila Strock

Dr. Sheila Strock is vice president dental services & science officer and has been with Delta Dental of Illinois since 2017. Dr. Strock has more than 35 years of experience in dentistry and the dental benefits industry, serving as vice president of dental services at Delta Dental of Minnesota prior to coming to Illinois. She has served as senior manager of interprofessional relations at the American Dental Association in Chicago and enterprise dental policy officer at Delta Dental of California. Dr. Strock received her dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her master’s degree in public health from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Blog posts by this Author:

• What to do about a loose baby tooth

  Remember that old iconic image of a loose tooth being pulled by a string tied to a doorknob? Slam! Problem solved. Fortunately, there’s a much easier and gentler way to help children when they have a loose baby tooth.

• Tooth Fairy Tradition Remains Strong Across the United States

  According to findings of the 2022 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® released by Delta Dental of Illinois, the Tooth Fairy visited 79% of homes across the country with children ages 6-12 who have lost teeth.

• Periodontitis causes and risk factors

  Have you been experiencing tender, swollen or bleeding gums? Read on because you may be experiencing early signs of periodontitis.

• How to help children overcome an overbite or overjet

  Most people’s upper front teeth slightly overlap their lower front teeth. In most cases, it’s so slight that it’s not noticeable. Even when the upper teeth overlap more than normal (overbite) or stick out too far forward (overjet), it’s usually a minor issue that doesn’t need treatment. It’s a different case for a child who has an excessive overbite or overjet. Here’s why these conditions cause concerns.

• What is an occlusal guard?

  The term “occlusal” refers to the surfaces of your teeth that are used for chewing. When you are damaging those surfaces by clenching or grinding your teeth, an occlusal guard may be recommended by your dentist.

• Four steps to choosing the right toothbrush

  When shopping for toothbrushes, do you put much thought into what’s best for you or your children? Here’s why you should: Your toothbrush can be a major factor in helping you brush more effectively and making your oral hygiene routine more pleasant.

• New report finds many unaware of connection between poor oral health, serious medical conditions (but 9 in 10 want to learn more)

  Delta Dental of Illinois has released the 2022 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report, a nationwide analysis of consumer opinions and behaviors relating to oral health.

• Mental health influences oral health

  There is a clear link between mental health and overall health, as the intense emotions that come with certain mental health conditions can become overwhelming on both mind and body.

• There’s no sugarcoating it — sugar damages teeth

  Bacteria feed on sugar, forming dental plaque that becomes acidic and makes holes in your teeth — in other words, it causes cavities. That plaque can also lead to gum disease and bad breath.

• Gingivitis signs and symptoms

  Gingivitis should be treated seriously since it can lead to more severe forms of gum disease like periodontitis and potentially result in tooth loss.

• What is gingivitis?

  Gingivitis doesn’t always cause pain, and many people don’t realize they have the condition. As symptoms worsen over time, you may start to experience: Bleeding gums (metallic or altered taste), Puffiness/swelling of gums, Pain or soreness, Bad breath

• Over 50% of Illinoisans believe they’ve never been screened for oral cancer

  New data from the Illinois Department of Public Health reported that Illinoisans don’t believe they’ve been checked for signs of oral cancer even though they may have been during their regular dental checkups. More than half (52%) said they had never gotten an exam for oral cancer. However, 68% visited their dentist within the past year.

• What to do in a dental emergency

  Dental emergencies come in many forms, and some situations are more urgent than others. People are often hesitant to call their dentist when they’re experiencing a dental emergency, wondering if the situation truly warrants emergency dental care and if a treatment will be covered by their insurance plan.

• Tooth Fairy gives Midwestern teeth a 61-cent raise

  Historically, the Midwest has been at the bottom of the Tooth Fairy’s pay scale — kids in the heartland received the least amount of money for a lost tooth for many years. However, in 2022 the region got a 61-cent pay raise, climbing ahead in national rankings.

• Children missing preventive dental checkups during COVID-19 pandemic

  Throughout February, Delta Dental of Illinois is emphasizing the importance of good oral health care for children in honor of Children’s Dental Health Month. This reminder is even more important as some Illinois children haven’t received the preventive oral health care visit with their dentist during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

• Cavities are a big problem for little ones’ teeth

  Cavities, also known as tooth decay, are one of the most common chronic diseases among children. The good news is that cavities are nearly 100% preventable. Here’s how to keep your young child’s smile healthy from the very start.

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