Our newest associate Dr. Alexander Marlow with his beautiful wife Dr. Emily Kennedy Marlow and two dogs
We couldn’t be more excited about our newest associate Dr. Alexander Marlow! We are truly fortunate to have such a talented dentist (and a great guy!) on our team. Dr. Marlow is known for putting his patients at ease with his gentle touch and great sense of humor. He thrives under pressure and brings to us an excellent prosthodontic education.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Developmental Biology, and minor in Chemistry from the University of Iowa. In 2013, he graduated with his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. And since then Marlow has gained valuable experience practicing at top dental offices around Southeast Michigan. He is passionate about providing fear-free dentistry and making his patients as comfortable as possible.
Dr. Marlow joins us fresh on the heels of Dr. Alexandra Jaquery, who began practicing with us last fall. With six dentists, Drs. Kennedy, Marzonie, Gray, Kennedy Marlow, Jaquery and Marlow, we are pleased to be able to provide comprehensive dental care under one roof. We are thrilled about adding new treatment rooms later this year as well as more convenient evening and weekend hours.
Here’s everything you need to know about Dr. Marlow!
What made you want to be a dentist in the first place?
“I first fell in love with dentistry as a kid after reading the famous ‘Doctor De Soto’, even though I had no idea what it really meant to be a dentist,” Marlow described. ‘Doctor De Soto’ is a Newberry award-winning picture book by William Steig, first published in 1982, about a mouse dentist who works with his wife to treat animals with as little pain as possible. They use special chairs and pulleys to treat animals of all sizes. The refuse to treat animals who eat mice and the main conflict in the book is when they treat a mouse-eating fox who has a horrendous toothache. The book was later made into a short film that was nominated for an Academy Award.
“I remember that in middle school I worked on a book called ‘My Book About Me’ by Dr. Seuss. It’s the type of book where fill out what you want to be when you grow up. I remember writing a dentist,’ even though I had no idea why,” Marlow said. “But as I got older, I realized it really was the perfect profession for me. I love working with people; I love science; I love making beautiful things and working with my hands. Dentistry is the perfect blend of all those things.”
The Marlow’s two adorable dogs keep them quite busy.
How did your family influence you?
“It makes a lot of sense that I love dentistry. I’m a lot like my dad, who is an artist. A tremendous amount of artistry goes into what we do as dentists. We’re like miniature sculpturists,” Marlow explained.
“I also come from a long line of teachers. My grandma was an amazing teacher, and my father, mother and sister are very talented teachers. I love the continuing education involved in dentistry. In my free time I read the latest dental journals to learn how I can improve and refine my clinical skills. I’m sort of obsessed with finding the newest and best solutions to complex dental problems.”
A most noteworthy example of his commitment to learning: Marlow recently completed a self-funded comprehensive implant training program in Chicago, followed by a practical segment in the Dominican Republic, where he placed 30 implants for patients in need.
What is your favorite part about dentistry?
“My favorite part about dentistry is making drastic transformations. This is my passion. I love to take on challenging cases, especially the parts of the smile that people see everyday. A smile can make such a difference in a person’s life and I love helping people feel better,” Marlow explained. His specialities include oral surgery, invisalign, implants, CERECs, and endodontics (root canals).
What are you looking forward to most about being part of the Ann Arbor Smiles team?
“It’s my dream come true to work at Smiles. The doctors are outstanding clinicians and great people. The staff is warm, caring and everyone works hard together to provide excellent care. It’s clear that each team member is committed to professional and personal growth.
The best part is that I get to work with my incredibly talented and charming wife, Dr. Emily Kennedy Marlow! A University of Michigan Dental School graduate, Emily loves dentistry and to meet and work with people of all ages. What a special opportunity to work with her. And I am grateful to work alongside my father in law, Dr. Dan Kennedy, one the best dentists around. He has decades of experience and I can learn so much from him,” Marlow explained.
The Marlows on their wedding day last July in Ann Arbor
More Fun Facts About Dr. Marlow:
* With children patients, he goes by “Dr. Marshmallow,” because his dad went by “Mr. Marshmallow” with his young art students.
* Dr. Marlow is both a British and American citizen and grew up in Iowa City. He maintains lifelong friendships from his childhood.
* Dr. Marlow met his future wife, Dr. Emily Kennedy Marlow, when they were sophomores in dental school, at a Delta Sigma Delta (DSD) fraternity conference Cleveland, Ohio. DSD was established in Ann Arbor in 1882, and is the first dental fraternity in the world. Dr. Emily’s father, Dr. Dan Kennedy, is also a member.
* The Marlows were happily engaged at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, and were joyfully married last summer in Ann Arbor.
* Dr. Marlow loves to volunteer. Most recently he donated his time to Monroe Michigan’s Dentistry From The Heart. He is especially passionate about supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) that funds research to cure Type 1 Diabetes. Every September he supports the JDRF’s One Walk in Washtenaw County.
* Iowa Hawkeyes and Green Bay Packers football, woodworking, travel, working out, and playing golf are among his many interests.
* The Marlows enjoy spending time with their two beautiful French Bulldogs, Barry Sanders, named for the famous Detroit Lions running back, and Indiana Jones, a four-month-old adorable piebald puppy named for Indiana Jones’s pet dog in the movie.