Dr. Lacey Willman

Well Hello there!

Here’s a short bit about myself and upbringing

I was born in Montreal, Canada, and moved to Arizona with my whole family at the age of 12. I went to Middle School, High school (Go AZTECS!), ASU, and dental school here! When people ask me if I am from here at this point in my life it’s hard to say no because I have lived most of my life in the Chandler/Tempe area. I met my high school sweetheart my senior year and we have been together since! This year (2017) after 11 years of marriage we welcomed our baby girl Audrey and we could not believe what a change both hard and exciting it has brought us! She is such a joy in our lives and we cannot picture our life without her.

When it comes to how I fell into the dental field it started all the way back when I was taking a career assessment questionnaire during one of our eighth-grade classes.

I had always wanted to work in a field where I would be helping someone and this lead me to explore the health sciences and the assessment confirmed that. When I was in high school, I was fortunate enough to work one summer in a dental office and I loved everything about it, the smells (yes I know!) the tiny instruments but most of all it was the feeling of being part of a tight-knit family. It was the connection and relationships that are developed more so in the dental office rather than any other medical practice that stood out to me.

What solidified my decision even further was all throughout college I volunteered at CASS, a shelter program for the less fortunate and vets in the dental field. When I saw what transforming someone’s smile was able to accomplish in this setting, it brought me to tears. It’s hard for someone with broken down teeth or no teeth to get back into the workforce and while volunteering there, again and again, people were leaving with their smiles back which legitimately changed their lives! Today, as a dentist I help people with all different backgrounds accomplish the smile they deserve and that’s why when some asks me what I do I don’t say dentist I say smile maker.