If there is one thing that Dr. Lively is focused on just as much as providing the people of Mangum exceptional dentistry, it’s striving to be better tomorrow than he was the day before. He’s never been satisfied with being average or maintaining the status quo, so you shouldn’t have to settle either! Since 1997, Dr. Lively has been serving the Mangum community and is proud to be a native himself. Whether it’s by aiding people through general dentistry or airway help, he’s always excited to serve you. Once you get a chance to learn more about him, you’ll find that he looks at the heart of the person just as much as the mouth, making your dental care experience far more enjoyable for many years to come. Feel free to browse through his detailed bio below to learn more!
Dentist – Mangum, OK
Get to Know Dr. Dustin C. Lively
Why Did You Decide to Become a Dentist?
Dr. Lively’s father is a carpenter, and if there was one thing that young Dr. Lively and his father loved to do together, it was building and designing things. Having a vision and creating a finished product always gave Dr. Lively great pleasure. Opting to draw 3D objects like houses, rather than people, he initially wondered if architecture would be his true calling. Then, at the age of 13, he was told that he would need to wear braces.
Going into 8th grade, Dr. Lively became far more attuned to what dentistry was and how it worked, especially through the lens of his own treatment. Around the same time, he continued to learn about construction. Not only did he learn about how buildings were constructed from his father, but how the electrical and plumbing components that were necessary worked as well. Being alongside him allowed him to develop a great work ethic, and today, he’s still one of the hardest working people that Dr. Lively knows!
There’s not a day that goes by where Dr. Lively doesn’t have a patient he prays for. Growing up going to church, he always wanted to know what his higher purpose was in life. He was dead set on finding these answers, no matter what. After embarking on a journey of trails both professionally and personally, he was able to find a clear vision and purpose, and that was making sure he had all the tools necessary to help people however he could.
As a dentist, Dr. Lively gains great pride in not just helping people rebuild their smile, but hearing their unique story and learning about their specific vision for a better and healthier smile themselves. More than anything, he wants to get to know them, learn what their perspectives are, and build a relationship with them. That’s exactly what you can expect when you visit him and his team!
Where Did You Study Dentistry?
Dr. Lively attended Western Oklahoma State College and Oklahoma State University to complete his undergraduate education. From there, he would go on to earn his dental degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. Since then, he’s enrolled in many continuing education courses at the Misch Implant Institute and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. To Dr. Lively, once you start learning more about dentistry and sleep therapy, there are always ways to learn more.
Many people don’t realize that Dr. Lively is also highly trained to help those in need of airway help and resolving issues that can negatively affect sleep. Under the guidance of many sleep experts in the field, including Dr. Kent Smith of Dallas and Dr. Erin Elliot of Idaho, Dr. Lively is able to help patients address a wide range of sleep issues by closely examining their current airway health. He loves how so many people within the field are willing to help other doctors like him succeed and provide solutions to patients in need.
Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?
While Dr. Lively spends much of his time helping others achieve positive oral health, he still loves building and designing in his free time! In fact, he was even the general contractor for the remodel of 333 Dental Care, focusing on the colors, bones and overall flow of the office. He’s also served as a general contractor for those looking to build homes themselves, providing consultation when he can. In a way, his love for building and design has come full circle, as a dentist who now helps patients build and design their smile, making them feel happier, more confident, and excited to live their life with purpose.
Additionally, Dr. Lively has enjoyed flying ever since he received his pilot license 15 years ago. Whether he’s navigating through tough weather or helping a patient with a complex case, he’s never been afraid of a challenge!
He’s happily married to his loving wife Tuni, whom he met in high school. They raise their three daughters named Loclynn, Lynsi, and Landri and it’s still his greatest passion to spend time with his family as much as possible. You can also find him volunteering his expertise to groups like King ComeUNITY (an organization dedicated to local and regional community development) and federally-funded dental clinics not too far from Mangum.