It is most important to me that my patients feel they can trust that I have recommended what is in their best interest. It makes me the most proud when a patient leaves feeling like their life is going to improve because the health of their mouth and beautiful smile reflect how beautiful they are inside. I want everyone to feel good about themselves.
I regularly attend the Florida National Dental Convention and the Hinman Dental Meeting to stay up to date with the newest, most innovative dental treatments and procedures. I am a member of the Spear Institute and Dawson Acadamy. Learning the most advanced techniques helps me to provide my patients with the best possible care, and they deserve nothing less.
Originally from Jacksonville, I now reside in Ocala with my husband Brian, who is a native of this area. His love for Ocala is the reason we moved here and chose to raise our children here. We have three children: Reese, Caleb, and Piper. We also have a wonderful family dog named Jessie and cat Nicoli.
When I am not working, I love spending time with my family, whether were at Lake Weir or Jacksonville Beach or just relaxing at home. Like any good University of Florida alum, we are Gator fans and can be found at many Gator sporting events.
Being involved in the community is part of why I became a dentist. I enjoy attending First United Methodist Church. I love to volunteer at Eighth Street Elementary School. I am a proud supporter of Marion County Public Education Foundation, Kimberly Center and Interfaith of Marion County. Giving back is truly a gift!
I was born and raised in Ocala, and I am excited to be serving the community I grew up in. I have always loved that the dental profession allows you to have an impact on not only the oral health of your patients, but also their overall well-being, while establishing lasting relationships.
My interest in dentistry grew while I was in college at Florida State University. There, I had the opportunity to volunteer with local organizations and promote oral health in underserved communities locally and abroad. These experiences led me to pursue a career as a dentist, and I attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.
I have returned to Ocala with my husband Scott, who also grew up here, and our Lab Mack. We love to travel and explore new places. Some of our favorite places to visit are Northern Michigan and Nashville. As FSU Alumni, we also enjoy cheering on the Seminoles whenever we can.
We recognize that all our patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice.
In addition to greeting you, I will be your financial advisor in the office. We want to make dental health a reality for you. I will make sure that we can come up with a plan that fits your needs and your budget. Should you have insurance, I will be the one to research your dental insurance and whether in network or out of network, help you maximize your benefits.
I am originally from West Virginia but have also lived in North Carolina and New York. I reside in Ocala with my son Aidan and our dog Charlie. Ocala is by far our favorite place, but I also enjoy going to West Virginia to visit family and spending time at Daytona Beach.
I am originally from Michigan and obtained my dental hygiene degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 2014. I moved to Florida for the sunshine and southern hospitality! Here at Ocala Family Dentistry, I work with the doctors and one-on-one with patients to build a home hygiene plan that works for their individual needs. One of the best parts of working here is that our team shares the same philosophy in educating patients and putting their needs and desires first. Its an incredibly positive environment!
After living away from Ocala for eight years, Im so happy to be back in my hometown, where I live with my two fur babies Salem and Lexi. When Im not at work, you can find me near the water! Im also a huge football fan and enjoy watching games especially Penn State with my friends and family.
I attended Greater Orlando Dental Assisting School, where I graduated in 2016. Here at Ocala Family Dentistry, I assist Dr. Cartwright with patients of all ages and work with our youngest patients to educate them about good oral hygiene habits. Whether young or just young at heart, our patients deserve a smile that increases their confidence, and I love being a part of that! Seeing the people I care about happy with their oral health makes each day worth all the hard work.
I graduated from CF Ocalas dental assisting program in 1997. I worked as a dental assistant for ten years and then took some time off to raise my two kids, a boy and a girl. When they started school, I wanted to get back to dental assisting which Ive always enjoyed. I work alongside Dr. Cartwright as a chairside dental assistant, and make sure all the procedures run smoothly. I enjoy talking with patients and making them feel comfortable and at ease during their dental visit.
I am a general dentist, having graduated from dental school in Ecuador in 2018. I was welcomed into this office as a dental assistant in 2021, where I work alongside our doctors with patient care. My favorite part of my job is knowing that we give our patients their smiles back it gives me so much joy! We have a strong team that works well together as well. I love that we treat one another like family. We have each others backs and I feel like I can count on them for anything. Its a great atmosphere!
Dr. Lauren Cartwright, Dr. Lacy Petersen, and our team offer quality dental care, personalized to your specific goals and concerns. We place your safety, comfort, and well-being at the forefront of all we do, and care for you as family.
Ours is a patient-centered practice, where you and your loved ones are treated with kindness and compassion. We dedicate time to listening and building open communication, and with that comes trust and a relationship grounded in respect.