I never take the remarkable transformation that takes place in peoples smiles when they experience excellent oral care for granted. I believe that it goes well beyond the mechanical process of moving teeth. The difference good orthodontics makes in improving quality of life and self-esteem is vast. It is similar to the changing a caterpillar to a butterfly. To create incredible results, I work to provide personalized care designed to meet your specific needs. I strive to build relationships of trust and friendship based on honest, clear communication. I want you and your family to look back on your time with me in a positive and meaningful light.

I am a native of New Bedford, MA. I graduated from New Bedford High School in1974 and in 1979 received my Bachelor of Science degree, Summa Cum Laude, in Nursing. I then relocated to San Francisco and practiced as a Registered Nurse until 1983 when I entered the University of California San Francisco School of Dentistry and received my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1983.

It was in dental school when I decided to pursue specialist training in Orthodontics following my graduation from UCSF in 1987. I completed my orthodontic training at Boston University in 1989 and returned to the South Coast where I began my solo practice in 1991 in New Bedford before relocating to my current office in Dartmouth in 2001.

I am a member of the American Dental Association and the American Association of Orthodontists, as well as numerousother local, domestic and international orthodontic organizations and study clubs. My participation in these groups inspires me to provide my patients with state of the art orthodontic care while always striving for excellence.

I am so happy and grateful to be back in the South Coast where I now live with my life partner, Irene and our 3 cats, Toby, Thai and Suki. Together we share the gift of our three children, Irene's daughter, Aubrie who resides in MA, and is a professional writer, and my children, Dana who resides in RI with her husband John, and is a consultant in the public health field, and son Kristian, a professional musician in the United States Air Force and resides in Washington, DC.

I am honored to be a part of Baarsvik Souza Orthodontics, a Practice that not only creates beautiful orthodontic results but establishes meaningful relationships with patients, family members and the community. A smile is one of those things that can positively affect those around us and can stay with a person for a lifetime and I am overjoyed to be a part of the transformation.

I was born and raised in New Bedford and have fond memories of my childhood and high school years at New Bedford High School. I am very excited to be back in my hometown and to be able to give back to my community in which I grew up.

After graduating from New Bedford High School in 1999, I went on to study at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. There, I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology, graduating Cum Laude in 2003. I then pursued my dental degree at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine where I received my Doctorate of Dental Medicine in 2007. I practiced for two years in New Bedford as a general dentist exclusively treating children and adolescents. I then earned my Certificate in Orthodontics from Montefiore Medical Center in New York and graduated as Chief Resident in 2012.

I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, Bill and son, Dominic. I am a food enthusiast in both cooking and eating. I love watching the Food Network Channel and HGTV. My passion for art not only shows in my hobby of photography but is apparent in my attention to detail providing superior esthetic treatment results.