Lisa F. Strunk, D.D.S., M.S., M.S.
Pediatric Dentist/Orthodontist
Dr. Lisa Strunk is dual trained in both orthodontics and pediatric dentistry. The advantage of having both specialties is that she can see children early for their dental needs and make sure their early visits are welcoming and positive. As her patients grow and their permanent teeth erupt, Dr. Lisa can evaluate any developing orthodontic concerns.
Optimizing jaw growth in size and direction is a important. Dr. Strunk feels that giving a child a good smile from the beginning can make them more confident and ultimately successful. She & her team work to create smiles their patients can be proud of in a happy environment.
Dr. Lisa grew up in New Mexico and moved here to attend Creighton Dental School. She received her master’s degree at UNMC in Pediatric Dentistry. She was selected to be on the Cleft Lip & Palate Team. After 8 years of practicing as a pediatric dentist she realized the value of becoming a dual specialist in orthodontics. She completed her master’s degree in orthodontics at St. Louis University. She was selected to teach ortho at SIU during her residency. She has had teaching appointments at SIU, Creighton and UNMC. She is airway certified.
Dr. Strunk is past president & secretary/treasurer of the Nebraska Society of Dentistry for Children. She is past president of the Omaha Orthodontic Study Club. She is a member of the ADA, NDA, ODDS, NSDC, OOSC, and MSO.
Dr. Strunk is married to Randy Strunk and has 3 grown daughters and a granddaughter. Her youngest daughter, Dr. Emily Strunk is also a pediatric dentist and practices with her.
Training
Dr. Lisa’s training includes:
*Creighton University doctorate degree (DDS)
*UNMC Pediatric Dentistry Specialty Certificate
*UNMC Masters in Pediatric Dentistry
*Board Eligible by the AAPD
*St. Louis U. Master of Science in Orthodontics
*St. Louis U. Orthodontic Specialty Certificate
*Board Eligible by the AAO
*Cleft Lip & Palate Team during Pediatric Residency
*Adjunct Professor at Southern Illinois University
*Adjunct Professor at UNMC Pediatric Dentistry
*Pierre Fauschard Honerary Society
*Continuing education is paramount as she provides comprehensive care in both pediatric dentistry & orthodontics.
Memberships
Dr. Lisa maintains active memberships in the AAO, AAPD, NDA, ODDS, Omaha Orthodontic Study Club & Nebraska Society of Dentistry for Children. She is past president of the Omaha Orthodontic Study Club & has held many leadership positions in the Nebraska Society of Dentistry for Children.
Dr. Lisa & her husband have three daughters; the youngest, Dr. Emily Strunk is practicing in the office.
Dr. Lisa has a granddaughter and a new grandson. She and her husband enjoy sailing & skiing in their spare time.
Carmen L. Dana, D.D.S., M.S.
Pediatric Dentist
After attending Nebraska Wesleyan University, Dr. Dana earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry in Lincoln, Nebraska. Dr. Dana then graduated as a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Dr. Dana also earned her master’s degree in Pediatric Medicine from the medical center. During her Master’s and Residency Programs, Dr. Dana was a member of the Craniofacial team at Boys Town National Research Hospital.
Dr. Dana is involved with many different organized dental societies. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the Nebraska Dental Association and the Omaha District Dental Society. As a specialist, Dr. Dana is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Nebraska Dental Association and the American Society of Dentistry for Children, who awarded her with a Certificate of Merit in 1995. Dr. Dana is also a member of the American Association of Dental Research. On occasion, Dr. Dana has given presentations at national meetings of her original research with regard to fluoride and its mechanisms of action. Dr. Dana and her husband, Steve, have a daughter, Julia, and a son, Paxton.
Rebecca L. Buss, D.D.S.
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Buss grew up in Wayne, NE, and attended Wayne State College for her undergraduate degree. She then attended dental school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, where she discovered her passion for treating children. She then completed her post doctorate pediatric dentistry training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, located in Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. During residency, she completed clinicals at Monroe Meyer Institute, Charles Drew Health Center, Boys Town Craniofacial Clinic, local Omaha elementary schools, and private practices in Hastings and Grand Island. She is the Secretary of the Nebraska Society of Pediatric Dentistry, member of the Nebraska Dental Association, Omaha District Dental Society, American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association. In her free time, Dr. Buss enjoys reading, trying new recipes, traveling, golfing, and spending time outdoors with her husband, Daniel, and their Bernedoodle, Kobe, and Portuguese Water Dog, Wally.
Emily Strunk, D.D.S.
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Emily Strunk was born and raised in Omaha as the youngest of three girls. She is from a dental family with both her mother and godmother being dentists. She is a Millard West Alumni who went on to study Bioinformatics at UNO. She acquired a Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She became passionate about the gap in dental care for adults with special healthcare needs and continued to advance her skills with a General Practice Residency at UNMC in Omaha.
After completing the GPR, Emily worked at Charles Drew Health Center, a federally qualified health center that focused on providing care to the underserved in Omaha. She saw how children and those living on the downside of advantage change how they relate to the world when they have confidence in their appearance and dental health. She realized then that she wanted to obtain the expertise of a pediatric dentist. She continued her education to become a pediatric dentist at Texas A&M/Baylor in Dallas, Texas in conjunction with Children’s Medical Center and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.
During school she worked in kids’ entertainment doing balloons, face painting, stilt-walking, and magic. She received 3rd place in an international balloon costume contest, was featured at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and highlighted Kearney Kool aid days with a 5-foot balloon pitcher of Kool-Aid. If she can think of an object, she can make it with balloons.
Katherine L. Higgins DMD, MS
Dr. Katherine was inspired to pursue orthodontics at a young age after having a transformative and rewarding experience with her orthodontic treatment. She earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA where she was captain of the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse team. She then went on to receive her DMD from the University of New England College of Dental Medicine in Portland, ME where she received honors & awards for her accomplishments in research. Following dental school, Dr. Katherine completed her post-graduate orthodontic training at UNMC in Lincoln and served as Chief Resident. There she earned both a Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science in Oral Biology. Her master’s thesis was titled “Impact of space opening for prosthetic replacement of missing maxillary lateral incisors on alveolar bone, soft tissue, and airway in cleft lip and palate patients: a CBCT study”.
Dr. Katherine is a member of the Craniofacial team at Boys Town National Research Hospital and is passionate about providing excellent orthodontic care to all patients, including those with craniofacial anomalies. She is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, Midwest Society of Orthodontists, Nebraska Society of Orthodontists, and American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Katherine enjoys training for and running marathons, coaching youth lacrosse, and spending time with her Husband, Steve, enjoying all Omaha has to offer. Dr. Katherine is thrilled to offer her patients the same exceptional care and transformative experience that inspired her own journey.