About Crossroads Family Dental
We’re built on the conviction that the dental experience most people fear doesn’t have to exist.
Schererville, IN. Open since August 2016. Veteran-owned. Solo general dentistry, deliberately built.
Dr. Berns
A clinician who has done the thinking and wants you to benefit from it.
Nicholas Berns, D.M.D. co-founded the practice in August, 2016. He is a graduate of Southern Illinois Dental School (2010, cum laude) and the United States Air Force Advanced Education in General Dentistry (2011).
His experience includes 4 years of practice as an active duty Air Force dentist, where he gained significant experience in fillings, oral surgery (extractions), implant restorations, crown and bridge work, veneers, whitening, and most root canals.
As a dentist, Nick takes pride in getting to know his patients and making them feel comfortable no matter the procedure. He takes a lot of time in explaining recommended dental treatment, including preventive treatment, options for procedures, and how to maintain existing work.
Dr. Berns has been involved in several of the volunteer aspects of dentistry, participating in Give Kids A Smile Day, and humanitarian missions to Jamaica and El Salvador.
He maintains active membership in the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Chicago Dental Society, and enjoys attending many continuing education events throughout the year to constantly improve upon his skills. Dr. Berns is a member of the SPEAR Dental Study Club. SPEAR Education provides dental continuing education for dentists dedicated to clinical excellence in dentistry.
Dr. Berns speaks limited Spanish.
Outside the office, Nick is a proud husband and father of 2. He enjoys running, biking, and music (piano, guitar and singing).
Our Team
Pam
Licensed Dental Hygienist
Pam Strickland graduated from Indiana University with an associate’s degree in dental hygiene in 2001. She graduated with a B.S.G.S. in 2004. Pam has been with the practice since 2003. She has two grown sons and three grandsons. Pam enjoys art, yoga, and going to yard sales.
Becky
Licensed Dental Hygienist
Becky graduated with a degree in dental hygiene from Indiana University Northwest in 2003. She has been with the practice part-time since 2005. Becky loves getting to know her patients better and is dedicated to helping her patients achieve optimal oral health. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, coffee, and going to concerts.
Liz
Certified Dental Assistant
Jan
Dental Assistant
Justine
Patient Care Coordinator
Angie
Patient Care Coordinator
Meet the team
Rocky — Chief Comfort Officer.
Our office dog — the “Dogtor” — greets patients who’d rather meet him first. He’s especially fond of the people who arrive a little nervous.
If you’d prefer not to be greeted by a dog, that’s easy too. Just let the front desk know when you book and he’ll keep his distance.
The clinical investment
Advanced Technology That Transforms Your Dental Experience
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Two CEREC mills
Most CEREC practices have one mill and one bottleneck. We have two — so a same-day crown stays same-day even on a full schedule.
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Two porcelain ovens
Glazing and firing the restoration in-house finishes the crown in the same visit. No lab handoff, no two-week wait, no temporary in your mouth.
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Intraoral scanner
Digital impressions replace the goop. The scan is more accurate, the fit is more precise, and you don’t gag.
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Photographic diagnostic tour
We take photographs of your mouth and walk you through them. You see what we see before any treatment is on the table.
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Continuing education since 2010
Spear, CDOCS, Academy of General Dentistry. Hundreds of hours. Not for the resume — for the best in dentistry when your teeth are the ones needing treatment.
How we work
Patient-led, in three parts.
First, we take a photographic tour of your mouth. You see what the diagnosis is based on, on your own teeth, before we describe what’s going on.
Then we present tiered options. There isn’t one recommendation you have to accept or refuse. There are paths — and even the most conservative one moves your oral health forward.
Then it’s your turn. If you decline a treatment, we’ll explain the risks honestly and we’ll respect the decision. The decision belongs to you.
Let us get to know you.
Start with a first visit. We’ll take it from there.