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
Alternatives for the floss-adverse
Flossing can seem like a chore. If you don’t do it regularly it might hurt, maybe maneuvering that tiny string isn’t easy for you, and it might seem like it just takes too long.
Get your floss on for national flossing day
Are you still working on some of those leftovers after a huge – and delicious – meal yesterday? Some of that food may still be trying to work its way out from between your teeth, too.
Opioids in dentistry
Every year, Delta Dental of Minnesota invites Minnesota’s oral health professionals to its annual symposium to learn and discuss the current state of dentistry and dental practices. The event this year drew more than 200 dental professionals, and hit on timely and important topics – including the concern of opioids across the country.
Tips for indulging in that cup of holiday cheer
The holidays are fast approaching – which means the season of indulgence is upon us!
5 reasons to be thankful you’re going to the dentist in modern times
Dentistry has been around in some form or another for thousands of years. From embedding precious stones in teeth to brushing with hog hair, people have been (attempting to) care for and bedazzle their teeth for centuries. Many practices from the past range from bizarre to downright disgusting. Below are five ancient dental practices that will make you thankful you’re visiting the dentist in the 21st century:
What to expect during open enrollment
Insurance coverage for most companies begins on January 1, so many hold their open enrollment right around now! We’ve put together a little guide on what you likely can expect as you go through the process of choosing your benefits for 2018.
What your tongue can say about your oral health
Even without speaking a word, your tongue can say a lot. The color, texture and patterns of your tongue can provide insight into the state of your oral and overall health. What is your tongue trying to tell you?
How pre-treatment estimates work
To help members understand costs before they’re incurred, Delta Dental provides free pre-treatment estimates*, which are sometimes referred to as pre-determinations or pre-authorizations. These estimates give patients an approximate idea of how much a dental treatment will cost overall, and how that cost will be split between the member and Delta Dental
Chewing ice: Satisfying, but dangerous
If you find yourself absently and happily chewing away at a couple ice cubes after you’ve finished a drink, you’re not alone. There are many who enjoy chewing ice not just incidentally but as a matter of habit.
