Dr. Ed Obrock practiced on the 2nd floor of the Kresge Building at 6th & Maine from 1957 to 1966, at which time he moved the practice to 803 Ohio, in the new professional building adjacent to 8th & State St. He continued in the solo practice of general dentistry in that location for the next 17 years. With the addition of Dr. Paul in 1983, the group practice changed locations to 334 S. 8th St., on the NW corner of 8th & Kentucky. By moving only two blocks, the practice was able to stay in the German Village of Quincy, a State of Illinois Historic District.
With a history in the Quincy German Village, and particularly with a location on busy South 8th Street, the practice has seen many changes in neighbors over the years. The anchor department store of the State & 8th business area, the State Street Store, located across the street from the office, closed its doors in the early 90’s. The building is now home to the Early Childhood & Family Center of the Quincy Public Schools. Across the street and north, The Pear Tree Villa, an office mall, was formed by the connection of several 1890’s era homes.
One block to the south is the historical center of German Village commerce, the intersection of 8th & State Streets. A business of long standing on this corner is State Street Bank & Trust Co.
One of the most unique shops in Quincy is located less than 1 block from the office! The Quincy Steamboat Co. is located just to the east of 8th St, on Kentucky. The Quincy Steamboat is a cooking school, culinary shop, caterer, and all around fun place to find unique foods and cooking supplies. The most recent addition to the neighborhood is the $5.5 million Senior Citizen Center located a block north on York St.
The year 2004 saw a change in the delivery of group practice. With the addition of additional dentists the Professional Corporation evolved into Cornerstone Dental Health. The practice name changed to fully reflect that we are indeed the “cornerstone” for your dental health.
Paul Obrock, DMD – Retired
Born and raised in Quincy, Illinois, Dr. Paul Obrock graduated from Quincy High School as an Illinois State Scholar. He graduated with a B.A. from Augustana College with a major in Biology, and was selected for the Lilly Foundation Biology Honors Program. He received his training at the Washington University School of Dental Medicine at the Barnes-Jewish Medical Center in St. Louis, receiving the D.M.D. degree in 1983. Following completion of his national boards, he entered practice in association with his father, Dr. Ed Obrock.
Dr. Obrock is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), American Dental Association, Illinois Academy of General Dentistry, Illinois State Dental Society, and the T.L. Gilmer Dental Society. He has been awarded Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, an award recognizing the equivalent of two years of post-doctoral education. Additionally, he has been honored with Fellowship in the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Academy of Dentistry International, the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. Fewer than 1% of dentists hold these four honorary fellowships and the Mastership Award in the AGD.
He has served on numerous civic and professional boards and committees, including the Illinois State Dental Society, Central Illinois Academy of General Dentistry, Illinois Academy of General Dentistry, Give Kids A Smile, Big Brother/Big Sister, the Historic Quincy Business District, and the United Way. He served for a number of years as a coach in the Quinsippi Soccer League, and as a Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 51.
Dr. Obrock is past-president of the T.L. Gilmer Dental Society and the Central Illinois Academy of General Dentistry. He has been a board member of the Illinois AGD since 2013. He currently serves as webmaster for the T.L. Gilmer Dental Society and the Illinois AGD, and as Treasurer for the Central Illinois AGD.
In 2019 Dr. Obrock was installed as the head of the Illinois Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, an international honor organization for dentists.
In addition to his civic and professional obligations, he enjoys traveling and tracing the family roots. With the intention of handing down a written family history to his sons and their families, he began research into their lineage back to the countries of their ancestors, primarily Germany and Norway. Many lines extend back to the 17th century, but several have been documented as far back as the 800’s and the early Vikings. Paul & Ellen’s sons are direct descendants of Charlemagne, numerous kings of Norway and Sweden, and the Rurikide dynasty of Russia (the dynasty that preceded the Romanovs). They are directly descended from the early kings of England.
One of the most significant finds of antiquity was a portrait from 1650, of their 9th great-grandparents, existing in an old church in Ulvik, Norway. Their lineage descends from the previously mentioned royal houses of Norway, Sweden and Russia, and also connects to the royal lines of Germany, France, Scotland and England. Through King Edward I, Longshanks, of England, and William the Conqueror, they connect as cousins to 15 U.S. Presidents, Winston Churchill and Prince William of England. Link here to the genealogy site. Paul is married to Ellen, a retired speech-language pathologist, mentor and music educator. They have two sons, with their families in The Woodlands, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana, and they have four grandsons.
Dr. Paul Obrock’s Honors & Awards
International College of Dentists 2013
Dr. Paul Obrock International College of Dentists
Dr. Paul Obrock was recognized as a Fellow in the International College of Dentists on November 1, 2013, during its Annual Meeting and Convocation in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Fellowship is an honor bestowed upon those dentists who have made significant contributions to the profession, the community and their families. After a thorough peer review process of nominations, those selected are invited for fellowship. The core values of the International College are Integrity, Leadership and Service.
With his induction into the International College, Dr. Obrock has joined a select group of dentists worldwide to have been recognized by his peers in the three premier honor organizations in dentistry- the Academy of Dentistry International (ADI), the International College of Dentists (ICD) and the American College of Dentists (ACD)- and additionally to have received the highest award from the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Fewer than 1% of dentists have been recognized with these four distinctions, M.A.G.D., F.A.D.I., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D.
The International College is the oldest and largest international honorary dental organization around the globe, being found in 122 countries, divided into 15 sections. Each autonomous section of the College maintains humanitarian projects around the world.
The International College of Dentists is located online at the www.icd.org.
Academy of General Dentistry 2012
Dr. Paul Obrock Receives Mastership Award from the Academy of General Dentistry
Dr. Paul Obrock was awarded Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry at the June 2012 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A general dentist who is a “Master” in the Academy (MAGD) is recognized by other general dentists as a leader who is committed to quality patient care through continuing education, and has completed a structured and rigorous set of requirements involving all the disciplines of dental and oral medicine. Less than 2 percent of all general dentists have earned the Academy Mastership Award.
The Mastership Award is the highest honor available at the AGD and one of the most respected designations within the profession. To earn the Mastership Award, a general dentist must complete 1100 hours of approved post-doctoral education and pass a comprehensive written examination given by the Academy.
Challenging themselves to attain Mastership allows dentists to remain current with what is new in dentistry, to incorporate the most proven and beneficial techniques into their practices and network with other leaders in the field. The award symbolizes the professional responsibility of general dentists to remain current in their profession and reminds each member of the dental profession to continue to learn new information for the benefit of their patients. Any dentist who is considered for Mastership has their application reviewed by the AGD Council on Dental Education to assure that the high standards of the Academy of General Dentistry are met.
The Academy of General Dentistry is the only organization dedicated solely to the general dentist. Committed to providing quality care and patient education to the public, Academy members are required to take 75 hours of continuing education courses every three years, just to maintain membership.
2012 marked the 60th Anniversary of the Academy. In that time, the Academy has risen to the forefront of the profession and built a solid reputation as the premier dental organization committed to helping dentists stay up-to-date with new research, new technologies and new products through lifelong learning.
Dentistry promises to evolve over the next 50 years. For a patient, this means it’s increasingly important to find out how their dentist stays current and up-to-date within the dental profession. A dentist dedicated to continuing education can provide a consumer and his family with enhanced confidence knowing that their dentist believes in quality patient care.
The Academy of General Dentistry is a non-profit organization of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient’s oral health needs.
The Academy is located online at www.agd.org.
American College of Dentists 2009
American College of Dentists Awards Fellowship to Dr. Paul Obrock
Dr. Paul Obrock was honored with Fellowship in the American College of Dentists on October 1, 2009, during its Annual Meeting and Convocation in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Fellowship in the ACD is by invitation, and recognizes achievements in dental medicine, and the promotion of excellence, medical ethics, professionalism and leadership in dentistry. It is based on demonstrated leadership and contributions to the dental profession and to society. The ACD is the oldest national honorary organization for dentists, founded in 1920. Approximately 3.5% of dentists are Fellows in the American College.
The American College of Dentists is located online at www.acd.org.
Academy of Dentistry International 2008
Dr. Paul Obrock Receives Fellowship Award from the Academy of Dentistry International
Dr. Paul Obrock was awarded Fellowship in the Academy of Dentistry International at the October 2008 ADA Annual Meeting in San Antonio. The Academy of Dentistry International is the international honor society for dentists dedicated to sharing knowledge in order to serve the dental and oral health needs and to improve the quality of life of people throughout the world. Along with the sponsorship of dental education and service projects, the Academy directly aids in the improvement of the oral health and well-being of people worldwide.
Fellowship in the Academy of Dentistry International is bestowed on dentists whose professional, civic, and related accomplishments are considered truly outstanding. Fellowship in the ADI is by nomination, whereas, Dr. Obrock’s 2012 Mastership Award in the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), was based on continuing education and examination.
The ADI supports the Thousand Smiles Foundation (a special project of Rotary International) and Health Volunteers Overseas. A result of which hundreds of young children and adults receive free treatment for their facial and dental deformities.
The ADI is an associate member of the Federation Dentaire International and Health Volunteers Overseas.
Most recently, the Academy sponsored and supported continuing education programs in Uruguay, S.R. Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and Lithuania. Other projects and programs were initiated for Cambodia, Myanmar and the Fiji Islands under the co-sponsorship of the Australasia Section with other Faculty and Student exchange initiatives.
Currently, there are 2600 ADI Fellows across the globe.
The Academy is located online at www.adint.org.
Pierre Fauchard Academy 1990
Fellowship in the Pierre Fauchard Academy
Dr. Paul Obrock was awarded Fellowship in the Pierre Fauchard Academy in 1990. Fellowship in this international honor society is by invitation, and nominees must have graduated from accredited universities at least five years prior to nomination. Requirements to be considered for active fellowship shall be limited to dentists known for their ethical standards that have made outstanding contributions to the art and science of dentistry or to society. Membership in the American Dental Association is required of candidates in the United States or its territories, while those in other countries shall be members in good standing in the equivalent association of the country in which the candidate is associated with dentistry.
Pierre Fauchard (1678-1761) was a significant French physician. He is widely known for his book, Le chirurgien dentiste (roughly translated as ‘The surgical dentist’), written in 1728, where he described the basic oral anatomy and function, signs and sympoms of oral pathology, operative methods of removing decay and restoring teeth, periodontitis (pyorrhea), orthodontics, replacement of missing teeth and tooth transplantation. His two volume book is said to be the first complete scientific description of dentistry. It was well received in the European medical community and was published in an enlarged French language edition in 1746, and was translated into German in 1773. As he was the first physician to specialize in the conditions and diseases of the oral cavity, Fauchard is credited as being the ‘father of modern dentistry’.
Doctor Fauchard’s work influenced many young medical minds in the age of enlightenment in France, including Dr. Robert Bunon and Dr. Etienne Bourdet. Oddly, considering the innovation and value of Fauchard’s writing in the 18th century, it wasn’t until 1946 that his treatise was translated into English by Dr. Lilian Lindsey, of Great Britain, a medical science historian, dentist, and woman of significant accomlishment in her own right.
The Academy is located online at www.fauchard.org.