Meet Dr. Betsy Ulrich, Your Central Illinois Orthodontist
For more than 25 years, Dr. Betsy Ulrich has helped Central Illinois families smile with confidence. A Lincoln native, she founded Sugar Creek Orthodontics in her hometown in 2001 and has since grown the practice to serve both Lincoln and Bloomington-Normal. Patients know her for a warm, unhurried chairside manner, a genuinely personal approach to every treatment plan, and a commitment to keeping expert orthodontic care close to home.
Education & Training
Dr. Ulrich’s path to orthodontics began at the University of Colorado, where she earned her bachelor’s degree, and continued at Northwestern University, one of the nation’s most respected dental schools, where she earned both her dental degree and her orthodontic specialty training.
| Degree | Institution | Year |
|---|---|---|
| B.A. | University of Colorado | 1989 |
| D.D.S. | Northwestern University | 1995 |
| M.S., Orthodontic Residency | Northwestern University | 1997 |
As a Licensed Specialist in Orthodontics, Dr. Ulrich completed years of advanced training beyond dental school focused specifically on the movement of teeth and the growth and alignment of the jaws, so every patient benefits from specialist-level expertise.
Honors & Professional Recognition
During her training at Northwestern, Dr. Ulrich was named an Alpha Omega Scholar and inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society, distinctions reserved for top-of-class students. Her leadership has continued throughout her career:
| Recognition | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Society of Orthodontists | President | 2016–2017 |
| Illinois Society of Orthodontists | Executive Board Member | 2010–2016 |
| Midwest Technical Institute Dental Assisting Program | Board Member | 2005–2008 |
Professional Memberships
Dr. Ulrich stays at the forefront of her field through active membership in leading dental and orthodontic organizations:
- American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
- AAO Society of Orthodontic Educators
- Midwestern Society of Orthodontists
- Illinois Society of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- Illinois State Dental Society
- Chicago Dental Society
A Commitment to Teaching and Community
Beyond her practice, Dr. Ulrich is a dedicated mentor. She serves as an externship host and mentor for prospective dental students and dental assistants through Illinois State University, Normal Community High School, Normal Community West High School, and the Midwest Technical Institute Dental Assisting Program. Since 2002, she has led community oral-hygiene presentations for first, second, and third graders, and she is a regular presenter at the Logan County Health Fair. It is all part of a belief that healthy smiles start with education.
Our Story: From Lincoln to Bloomington-Normal
Dr. Ulrich practiced alongside Dr. Richard Sikora before founding Sugar Creek Orthodontics in Lincoln in 2001. In 2016, she expanded the practice to Bloomington-Normal, carrying forward the same standard of care that Central Illinois families had come to trust. Today, some members of her team have been caring for patients across both eras of the practice for more than 30 years, a continuity that says a lot about the culture she has built.
Approach to Patient Care
Dr. Ulrich believes orthodontic treatment should be as comfortable and straightforward as it is effective. She takes the time to explain every option in plain language, plans each case to achieve great results without keeping patients in treatment any longer than necessary, and leads a team that makes every visit welcoming. As a locally owned, family-run practice, Sugar Creek Orthodontics treats each patient like a neighbor, because most of them are.
Schedule With Dr. Ulrich
Ready to meet Dr. Ulrich and the Sugar Creek team? Your first consultation is always free, and no referral is needed. Call our Bloomington-Normal office at (309) 452-7445 or our Lincoln office at (217) 732-1073, or request an appointment online.
