Meet Dr. Raquel Manley
Welcome! My goal is to provide comfortable, compassionate, and skilled oral health care to my patients and community. I’m a firm believer that a smile is the gateway to a healthy and joyful life. But I get it, even with all the known benefits of having a healthy mouth, most people don’t enjoy getting in the dental chair. I partner with patients to discover the best option to meet their esthetic, functional, and overall wellness goals in a way that works for their lifestyle. I look forward to working together to support your Great New Smile!
Education and Experience
I grew up on the North Shore of Massachusetts and was attracted to health care, continual learning, and service from a young age. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Certificate in Civic Engagement and Service Learning from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2014. I then earned my Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the University of Connecticut in 2018. To gain further experience and skills, I stayed at UConn for two additional years and completed a fellowship in Advanced Education in General Dentistry in 2020. Through my education, I have gained valuable experience in treating patients with complex medical and dental conditions through roles such as Head and Neck Cancer Center Dental Liaison and through diverse community outreach programs. After graduating, I practiced in Litchfield, Connecticut, full time and per diem here with Dr. Garceau at Great New Smile. In May 2026, I officially joined Great New Smile full time as owner and am thrilled to care for the greater Windsor community.
Great New Smile
The team at Great New Smile is what sets our practice apart. Personally, I feel coming to the office every day feels like working on a group art project to improve our patients’ health and satisfaction in life. This cannot be done by myself or just one dentist; it takes a team. When I joined Great New Smile as an associate dentist, I knew that our teamwork philosophy was the right path to comprehensive and intentional patient care.
Continuing Education and Professional Affiliations
Dental health care, like all parts of medicine, is perpetually evolving and improving. To provide the most up-to-date, evidence-driven, and quality care for my patients, I am deeply committed to continuing education and interprofessional connections. Throughout the year I regularly attend local and national study clubs, meetings, and conferences to learn about the latest techniques, materials, and technology. Continuous learning keeps me engaged in the newest achievements in dental care and gives me the opportunity to network with peers.
Learning and teaching go hand in hand. I enjoy lecturing on topics such as appropriate care for patients with medically complex needs, complex restorative cases, dental photography, and international dental service.
My professional associations include:
- Hartford Dental Society – Board of Directors
- Litchfield Dental Society – Past Vice President
- Connecticut State Dental Society
- University of Connecticut / Central CT Area Health Education Center – Adjunct Faculty
- American Dental Association
- Spear Education
Beyond the Practice
Outside the practice I am passionate about mentoring the next generation of health care. I serve as dental faculty for the Central CT Area Health Education Center’s Urban Service Track. This program brings together health profession students of all disciplines to learn how to work in interprofessional teams and serve underserved populations in culturally sensitive ways. I also travel yearly to national and international outreach clinics to provide dental care and mentor dental students. My most impactful and transformative trips have been to Honduras, Kenya, and the Rosebud Native American Reservation.
At home in Granby, my husband Sollie and I love spending time outdoors. We spend most weekends hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, and exploring the woods with our dog Dunbar.
