The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is pleased to announce Oregon dentist Michael Lacey, DMD, MAGD, as a recipient for its prestigious Humanitarian Award. Lacey was recently presented the award during the AGD annual meeting in Chicago on Nov. 10, 2023. (Watch a brief tribute video.)

“Dr. Lacey’s mission work in Thailand and Cambodia is extraordinary and exemplifies the type of humanitarian service that the AGD encourages from its members,” said Merlin Ohmer, DDS, MAGD, AGD president. “Taking on expenses and dedicating time away from his own family and practice to establish dental centers abroad to train others on delivering proper oral hygiene practices throughout their communities is extremely admirable and deserves recognition.”

The award is presented to an AGD member who has been an exemplary contributor to the dental profession and their community. The recipient of the humanitarian award has selflessly sacrificed their own time and resources to serve the public better.

Lacey has made 17 trips to Thailand and Cambodia to develop dental hygiene centers. Lacey and his team will make their 18^th trip this December. More than 5000 children and families in outlying villages have been trained in prevention and dental care because of those dental centers. These individuals are taught basic hygiene skills and nutrition to maintain oral health.

A recently retired general dentist after 38 years in private practice, Lacey graduated in 1983 from the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry in Portland Oregon where he is presently working as a  a half-time clinical assistant professor at Oregon Health and Science University School Dentistry.

During the tenure of his career, Lacey has received several honors and recognitions having received the AGD Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition in 2010 and again in 2020. He received the AGD Fellowship Award in 1994 and the AGD Mastership Award in 2003. In 2001, he became an Orognathic Bioesthetics International Level IV Graduate.

About the Academy of General Dentistry

Founded in 1952, AGD is the only association that exclusively represents the needs and interests of general dentists. AGD provides its nearly 40,000 members with the resources, support and education to deliver exceptional dental care and oral health education. AGD’s mission is “to advance general dentistry and oral health through quality continuing education and advocacy.”