2025 Health Care Champions Specialty Provider: Dr. Ashley Meyer

Tending to smiles is an important part of Dr. Ashley Meyer’s dental practice, but she especially enjoys seeing her patients through the many seasons of life.

“I have had the opportunity to treat some of the same patients for 11 years, watching their families and children grow,” says Meyer, founder and owner of Dental 32. “It is such an awesome feeling witnessing patients’ milestones, listening to their recent vacation or anniversary stories, hearing the children talk about their sports. Many of my patients have truly become like family, and my goal is for them to always feel that level of care, trust and warmth when they step into my office.”

Meyer is a Springfield native who returned to the Ozarks after earning her doctor of dental surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. A few years into her career, she opened Dental 32 in 2018.

In addition to treating oral health, Meyer educates patients on the importance of dental care and a healthy mouth, and she stays current on technology so she can offer such services as same-day crowns. Meyer has been trained through the American Academy of Facial Esthetics to inject Botox and dermal fillers to treat pain from clenching and grinding teeth and to increase confidence.

“My role in the Ozarks and greater Springfield area is to help patients of all ages work toward achieving oral health and feeling confident in their smiles,” she says.

Meyer considers pro bono work an important part of her practice. One of her favorite cases was a young man who had been missing a front tooth for several years from an accident and had saved enough money to replace it. But he needed more work done on surrounding teeth, which he couldn’t afford, meaning the work would be spread out, during which time he might not like his smile’s appearance. When he came in for the first session, Meyer and her staff completed the entire procedure, not charging for the additional work.

“I could tell this young man had maybe come from a rough past, had been working hard to turn his life around, and I just wanted to help him out,” Meyer says. “It turned out to be a great case for a great person.”

Meyer works with the Missouri Dental Association and the American Dental Association to advocate for the profession and its patients at the state and national levels. She’s also involved with various charitable events, including the Greater Springfield Dental Foundation charity fundraiser that she chaired in 2022, which raised more than $140,000 to provide care to underserved populations.

“I am extremely grateful to be in a position where I can give back to our wonderful community of Springfield,” Meyer says. “I love being a part of the professional community and organized dentistry.”