Dr. Betsy Ulrich - Expert Orthodontist in Central Illinois
Professional Background and Philosophy
Dr. Betsy Ulrich has over 20 years of experience as a practicing orthodontist in Central Illinois. She opened her office, Sugar Creek Orthodontics, in her hometown of Lincoln in 2001 and expanded to a second office location in Bloomington-Normal in 2015.
Her practice is a family business owned and managed by her husband, Ron Tomczak. Their two children have both worked in the office and contributed to its success.
Dr. Betsy and Ron are strong supporters of local small businesses and their community, regularly contributing to school fundraisers, area sports teams, and youth organizations.
Education and Professional Involvement
Dr. Ulrich’s academic journey reflects her commitment to excellence:
- Bachelor’s Degree – University of Colorado
- Doctorate in Dental Science – Northwestern University
- Post-Doctoral Residency & Orthodontic Specialty Certificate – Northwestern University
- Master’s Degree – Study of orthodontic treatment at Northwestern University
At Northwestern, she was named the Alpha Omega Scholar for attaining the highest academic standing in her class and is a member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society.
Active Memberships & Leadership Roles
Dr. Ulrich is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including:
- American Dental Association
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Illinois State Dental Society
- Illinois Society of Orthodontists (Former President, 2016-2017)
- Midwest Technical Institute Dental Assisting Program Advisory Board
- Illinois State Dental Society Advisory Board
Commitment to Education & Mentorship
A lifelong learner, Dr. Ulrich continually enhances her skills through ongoing training and education for both herself and her staff.
She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of dental professionals and frequently welcomes:
- High school and college interns interested in orthodontics or dental assisting
- Aspiring orthodontists looking to observe and gain experience
Many of these students have successfully pursued careers in dentistry and orthodontics.
My goal is to create beautiful smiles for my patients and offer an atmosphere in my offices where families look forward to their visits. Growing up in Central Illinois, I had so many wonderful role models who influenced my decision to become an orthodontist. First and foremost, my father was a family physician who had a fantastic rapport with his patients.
My mother was a registered nurse, and my older sister, along with her husband, both became dentists. They, along with close family friends who were dentists, set me on my career path. All of these role models in my life were true “caregivers” who shaped my approach to my practice.
I grew up surrounded by skilled health practitioners who were great communicators and well-loved by their patients. I’m really fortunate to have learned from them how to connect with people through warmth and empathy.
Personal Interests
In her free time, Dr. Betsy enjoys gardening, cooking for her family and friends, and visiting her children wherever life takes them. She looks forward to spending time outdoors, bike riding or hiking. A lifelong animal lover – Dr. Betsy and her family adore taking care of their pets and livestock, including cats, dogs, goats, and chickens. She even enjoys being the caretaker of her childrens’ pets, a lizard and a frog, now that her kids have moved away to attend college.
The truth is…my kids got these critters, Jewel the leopard gecko and WeeWee the tree frog, for Christmas one year. They were thrilled until they found out that someone had to feed them live crickets. So I have been in charge of the care and feeding ever since, and we’re going on 15 years now!!!
