Meet Dr. Michelle Rowe
Dr. Michelle Rowe describes herself as confident, compassionate, and dedicated. She brings each of these qualities to work with her each day.
As the new owner and general dentist for Willow Spring Family Dentistry in Centennial, Colorado, she, along with her dental hygienist and dental assistant, provides comprehensive dental care and services to the whole family. A graduate of Creighton University School of Dentistry, Michelle has a particular passion to teaching kids about healthy teeth.
Dr. Rowe recently answered some questions about her life as a dentist and mom. Get to know a little bit more about her!
Where did you grow up, and how did your upbringing contribute to your career choice?
I was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, but raised, after the age of 10, in Colorado Springs. As the daughter of two immigrants, it was important to my parents that I grew up knowing and understanding my cultural roots. So, I spent much of my childhood traveling to and from Guyana.
There, I was exposed to a very different kind of life than what I was used to in North America. I saw true poverty, the consequences of limited access to care, and the large dichotomy between the haves and the have-nots. In many ways, it inspired my journey into healthcare.
As a family dentist, what are you passionate about?
Providing children with the tools necessary to have healthy teeth is a passion of mine. If I can prevent that first cavity from ever forming, then maybe that child will never have to feel the pain of a toothache. So, I partnered with local schools in Northern Maine to teach the children and their parents about the importance of oral hygiene and the benefits of fluoride.
What professional groups or organizations are you a part of?
I joined SE Denver Seattle Study Club in August 2015, which is a by-invitation-only elite study club. Our branch invites clinicians with a long-standing history, clinically exceptional dentistry, and ethically upstanding treatment of patients.
I am also a member of the American Dental Association, Colorado Dental Association, and the Metro Denver Dental Society. Continuing education is very important to me, and that’s why I love participating in the SE Denver Seattle Study Club.
Outside of work, what do you enjoy most?
I love to spend time with my family. I married my high school sweetheart (and now business partner), Jim, 12 years ago, and we have two children together, Anna (6) and Joshua (5). We love to go hiking and swimming together. Anna and I are often working on a craft at home, while Josh prefers that we play with cars, Legos, and anything Ninja Turtle-related. One of my favorite things to do is listen to music with Jim, as I watch the kids play in the backyard until the sun goes down, and then build a little fire in our fire pit and roast marshmallows.
