By: Jeanie Mayer
The O'Reilly Family
It may be serendipity that brought O’Reilly Family Dental to Hampshire, but it is the relationships they have built with the community that keep them in the Village.
For many years, as the O’Reilly family visited Hampshire for their children’s sports events, Dr. Bernard O’Reilly (Dr. O) would say that he wished he could purchase the dental building on Route 72 to have his practice.
Years later, when the owner of that building (Dr. Scott Herman) was planning to retire, Paula, one of his dental assistants, applied at O’Reilly Dental in Schaumburg and mentioned she had been working in the Hampshire office and that it was closing. The O’Reilly’s reached out and bought the property in October of 2019 and were thrilled that Paula stayed at the practice.
Dr. O began his practice after graduating from University of Illinois Chicago Dental in 1987. His wife Kathy was educated as an attorney and worked in real estate when her children were young. She now manages both dental offices. Their eldest son, Dr. Brad, worked as a dental assistant for the practice in high school and from that experience, decided to pursue his own calling to be a dentist. After his graduation from Benedictine University in Lisle, he attended Southern Illinois University’s dental school in Alton, IL, where he met his future wife, Ashley, who was also in the dental program. Dr. Ashley grew up in Hillsboro, IL. She attended SIUE for her undergraduate degree before attending the dental school. She and Dr. Brad graduated together in 2015. The couple knew they wanted to be in practice together, and the opportunity to join with Dr. O was a win for the whole family. Their son, Tucker, was born in 2021.
“Dr. Ashley is great with the kids. They leave our office so happy and wanting to come back. It is very important that kids have a great first experience,” Kathy said.
O’Reilly’s Staff
There are 15 employees on the O’Reilly’s team, including four experienced hygienists. Nora, who is also Dr. O’s niece, graduated from University of Illinois, Springfield, with a major in communications and marketing and now handles the social media, marketing and website for the office.
“You can’t have a successful office without the support of staff. They are just as important as the dentists,” Dr. Brad said.
Comprehensive Care
O’Reilly Family Dental is a general practice offering family care, cosmetic services like crowns, dentures, implants and fillings. They offer tooth whitening, periodontal work, the occasional root canal and tooth extractions.
They combine Dr. O’s 35 years of experience in dentistry with Dr. Brad and Dr. Ashley’s newly trained credentials to offer cutting edge dentistry and technology. The staff at O’Reilly believes in treating patients the way they would like to be treated.
“Our goal is to be doctors, not just 'tooth fixers,'” said Dr. O.
Dr. Brad said they take pride in explaining to patients what is happening in their care before, during and after the work is being done.
“I like to give information as if you were my mom, my sister, my cousin. We treat people as family while educating them about that is happening with their care,” he said.
“We are empathetic. We like to treat people the way we want to be treated. We give out our phone numbers so patients can talk to us personally. That is what we would want from our doctors, so that’s what we do,” Dr. O said.
The Hampshire Community
The O’Reillys have embraced the Hampshire lifestyle and have made lasting relationships with its residents.
“We love Hampshire. It is a family community. Hampshire is exactly what we are: a great family community,” Kathy said. It’s awesome.”
The O’Reilly’s are working to build strong relationships within the Hampshire community.
“We want to integrate into the village. We joined the Chamber of Commerce, we are in the Outdoor Markets, and Coon Creek (Country Days). We were in the parade and that was a great experience.”
The practice was built on word-of-mouth referrals from happy clients and their practice is continuing to grow.
“People come because they like us. People hear of us because their family told them they have to come,” she said.
The Smile Pro Plan
O’Reilly Family Dental offers a membership program for patients who don’t have dental insurance. The Smile Pro Plan helps non-insurance patients through discounts and other benefits.
About this Business
O’Reilly Family Dental
Doctors: Dr. Bernard, Dr. Brad, Dr. Ashley
Manager: Kathy O’Reilly
Social Media & Marketing Manager: Nora Palerno
179 E Oak Knoll Drive, Hampshire
847-683-3464
Website: www.oreillyfamilydental.com
The office is currently taking new patients.