This is the first in a series of articles on outstanding UNMC College of Dentistry graduates who have been practicing for fewer than 10 years.
Anna Schoettger, DDS, was always interested in her father’s work.
Bob Schoettger, DDS, is a practicing orthodontist and the new orthodontic residency program director at the UNMC College of Dentistry. It was a career that piqued Anna’s interest from early on.
“He was a big role model in my life,” Dr. Schoettger said.
She did explore other passions, including vocal music, and majored in music as an undergraduate. “I enjoyed that,” she said. “But even after about a semester, I was thinking I would go into dentistry.”
Dr. Anna Schoettger spent more than six years at the UNMC College of Dentistry, first earning her DDS in 2019 and then getting a master’s degree and a certificate in orthodontics. While studying, she held leadership roles in the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists. Today, she remains a member of both organizations, as well as a chair of the Early Career Dentist Council, part of the Nebraska Dental Association.
“I’ve always been drawn to leadership roles,” she said. “It makes you more connected with your classmates, co-workers or community of orthodontist or community of dentists. It’s always very fulfilling to participate in organized dentistry and organized orthodontics at any level.”
Since leaving UNMC, she has joined her family’s Lincoln practice, Schoettger Orthodontics, where she works with her father and brother, Jared Schoettger, DDS, UNMC dental class of 2012.
The practice and family are highly involved with community organizations and events.
“The UNMC College of Dentistry is so community based,” she said. “That’s something that has really been embedded in my professional outlook.
“It’s a wonderful, wonderful institution,” she said. “I had an amazing time when I was there, and some of that even included the COVID era. I’m proud of the education that I received there, and I speak not only for myself but for our family. We’re all alums of UNMC.”
Dr. Schoettger is passionate about extending her orthodontic knowledge and enjoys exploring new treatments and technologies, such as LightForce, Invisalign, SureSmile and incorporating 3D-printed appliances when practicable.
“I continue to work to improve the overall experience of orthodontics at our practice,” she said. “I’m very proud of our team; we want to be the most advanced not only in the dental technologies that we offer patients, but also programs and technology that can ease scheduling or ensure our insurance processes run smoothly. How much better can I make the entire experience for the families that we serve?”