The Power of Smile ™ Blog
Meet The Clinicians
Learn about current topics and trends in dentistry and the importance of oral health as it relates to overall health from our team of experts.
Eileen Crespo, MD
Dr. Eileen Crespo is the Vice President of Medical Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Dr. Crespo is a practicing pediatrician of 20 years. She is currently a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a member of the Board of Directors at Children’s Dental Service and the Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
R. Bruce Templeton, DMD
Dr. Bruce Templeton is an oral surgeon and has served both on the board and as a medical consultant for Delta Dental of Minnesota since 2011. Dr. Templeton has served as both the Chief of Dentistry and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, and as a clinical professor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
James O'Meara, DDS
Dr. James O’Meara is the Vice President of Dental Services at Delta Dental of Nebraska. Dr. O’Meara is also an Associate Professor of Adult Restorative Dentistry at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry. He practiced General Dentistry In Des Moines, Iowa for thirteen years and also was an Associate Professor of General Dentistry at the Creighton University School of Dentistry for 21 years.
Dr. Cindy McGregor, DDS
Dr. Cindy McGregor is the Vice President of Dental Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Dr. McGregor is a 1998 graduate of the University of Minnesota-School of Dentistry. She has been a hygiene instructor and practiced in both a small and large group practices in the Metropolitan area of Minnesota. Dr. McGregor has been a member of the Minnesota Dental Association as well as the American Dental Association for over 25 years.
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
Recent Blog Articles
Prevent oral cancer from growing
While April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, every month is a chance to help prevent oral cancer from growing. Oral cancer is known as a lifestyle disease, which means you can dramatically reduce your risk by adjusting your daily habits.
Coverage for dental specialists
The trees are blooming and their roots are growing. But what happens if the roots of your teeth aren’t doing so well? Learn how your dental benefits work when you’re referred to an endodontist for a root canal or when you need to see another dental specialist.
What vaping means for your mouth
Vaporizing, or “vaping” tobacco products, have become a hot trend in the last 15 years, especially among young people. In fact, 16 percent of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in 2015, compared to just 1.5 percent in 2011. Many people believe that vaping is safer than smoking conventional cigarettes, but it’s important to understand that e-liquids usually contain nicotine and other chemicals that affect the mouth and body – no matter the delivery route.
The seeds of good oral health
As we grow, our oral health needs continue to evolve. Cultivate strong teeth by planting the seeds for good oral health early and knowing what to watch for at different life stages.
3 reasons why gardening is the perfect metaphor for dental hygiene
There’s just something about digging in the dirt and planting a tiny seed that rows and bears food that is magical to me. Gardening also requires daily maintenance and care, which is why it’s the perfect metaphor for dental hygiene and oral health.
Go green with your dental routine
While you’re keeping your mouth healthy, why not take some steps to help keep the Earth healthy too?
North Memorial Health, Delta Dental partner to host HPV-associated head and neck cancer awareness event
This April, during Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, North Memorial Health and Delta Dental of Minnesota partnered to convene over 100 healthcare providers to discuss prevention, diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer associated with human papillomavirus (HPV).
The surprising history of toothpaste
We’ve touched on the origins – and, thankfully, evolution – of the toothbrush, but have you ever wondered about the history of toothpaste? Unsurprisingly, the Egyptians – who also used urine to whiten teeth – were among the first to develop a form of toothpaste. In 5000 BC, pumice, burnt eggshells and powdered oxhooves all were a part of this teeth “cleaning” formula.
Defining dental professionals and specialists
Dental insurance can be confusing – and so can dental care. If you’ve had a complicated dental issue worked on, you might have been faced with a load of jargon, and names of dental professionals you didn’t know existed.
