I love what I do. Helping people achieve the smile of their life is a very rewarding experience. Working with young people and adults from all walks of life is amazing, and watching their self-confidence grow stronger each day of treatment gives me great satisfaction.

I firmly believe in the paraphrased quote from respected authorAndy Andrews:Your smile is your calling card. It is, after all, the most potent weapon you possess. Your smile has the strength to forge bonds, break ice, and calm storms. You will use your smile constantly. The power of who you are is displayed when you smile.

Of course, Ive not spent the past four decades practicing alone. Ive been blessed to have exceptionally talented clinical and business associates through the years. My current team continues that exceptionalism. They are bright, articulate, caring women who pride themselves on what they do. Their cheerful personalities and smiling faces put even the most nervous patient in a comfortable, relaxed state of mind. Their commitment to excellence allows all of us to function at the top of our potential, toprovide top-quality service and care. Simply put, they make all our patients feel like family.

I am most passionate about the technological advances in our profession, especially the inroads being made with Invisalign treatment and accelerated treatment options that allow for reductions in treatment time by up to 60%.

From digital scanning to cone-beam radiology, the future is bright in orthodontics! Staying abreast of ongoing scientific developments and technological advances, applied safely and intelligently in orthodontics, enables me to give my patients a custom-created smile that will last a lifetime.

After graduating from Boston University in 1967 with a B.A. in psychology and a double minor in chemistry and biology, I embarked with my wife Francine on a ten-year journey that would eventually lead to the opening of our orthodontic practice in August 1977.

First, I served our country in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1971. I received an honorable discharge in 1971 afterachievingthe rank of Captain and beingawarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. It was during these years that my two eldest sons were born: Manuel and Christopher.

From 1971 to 1977, I studied at Loyola School of Dentistry, where I graduated cum laude in 1975 and receivedmy dental degree. I was elected to the Blue Key National Honor Fraternity and the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society,Pi Chapter. I received a teaching fellowship in anatomy at Loyola and taught gross anatomy while studying as an orthodontic resident. My certificate of specialty in orthodontics was conferred inMay 1977.

Family has always been the important theme in my life, and I have dedicated my practice to serving families who entrustthemselves and their children to my care. My goal, and that of everyone at SCO, is to have our patients and their families feel they are extended family.

In the early years, as Francine worked the front desk, it was not uncommon to find a patients mom feeding Nathan his bottle or a dad rocking him to sleep for an afternoon nap. Day care for infants was rare then, so Nathan spent his early years greeting patients while sitting in his mechanical swing.

Nathan and his brothers are now grown, with wives and children of their own. Francine and I have seven grandchildren to keep us smiling. It is now their turn to visit the office frequently and bring smiles to our patients, parents, and the SCO team.

Now that the children are grown and have their own families, Francine and I have time to pursue several interests. I have enjoyed acting in and directing community theater productions through the years, as well as golfing, ballroom dancing with Francine, playing piano, and doing photography. Of course, my favorite activityis spending leisure time with my family.

Francine and I have lived in Salemsince June 1977 and have been active in the community ever since. From little league and cub scouts in the early years to civic organizations such as Dollars for Scholars, the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, the High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire, and the Greater Salem Chamber of Commerce more recently, I have tried to give back to the community that has supported me through the years. I continue to serve on the Salem Boys and Girls Club board of directors.

I am also an annual participant in the Read to Leadprogram at the junior-high level and the annual Salem High School Sophomore Career Day at Northern Essex Community College. Francine and I are also very active in our church community: weboth haveserved on the pastoral council as well as participatedat various ministry levels.

Starting with the warm welcome you will encounterwhenever you visit our Salem orthodontic office, to the personalized, friendly care youll receive, we believe you willstart to feel like part of our extended family in no time at all. We hope you will enjoy your visits in a comfortable environment with a home away from home experience.

Dr. Sousa firmly believes that keeping abreast of the newest technological advances is essential to our commitment to provide quality care. Dr. Sousa, our clinical assistants, and our business personnel attend numerous courses each year in order to gain more expertise in their field.

We make every effort to stay on the cutting edge of the technologies we use in our practice. SCO has utilized digital radiology since 2000 and now embraces the latest three-dimensional CBCT technology to provide superior diagnostic images in a 3D format.

We also employadvanced treatment methods, including accelerated treatment with AcceleDent Auraand PROPEL Orthodontics. Both treatments can be used as a complement to traditional braces and Invisalign to reduce treatment time.

We believe that clinical knowledge must be balanced with friendly, personalized care. Dr. Sousa will diagnose and explain your orthodontic needs, see you at every visit, and ensure that your treatment proceeds as smoothly and efficiently as possible. He is always available to answer questions, and there is always a doctor oncall for emergency situations.

We believe in the TEAM approach; weutilizeextensive communication between our staff, parents, patients, and patients restorative dentists. This team approach leads to the best treatment process possible for each individual patient.

From your first contact with our office to the end of treatment, you can expect a fun experience. Seasonal contests are the rule, and capturing the fun events with photos is traditional. Our social media content highlights our patients, and we look to engage with meaningful content whenever possible. All visits are upbeat, with an emphasis on smiling!

I welcome patients to the practice (by phone and in person) and ensure that everyone hasthe most positive orthodontic experience in our office. I wear many hats, including managing the overall workflow of all members of the team, and coordinating treatment, billing, and social media communications. Most importantly, I make sure that our patients have all of their questions answered and help to make them feel like members of our extended family. I love interacting with our patients and their families every day. It is so great to share in their excitement when they are either beginning their treatment or finishing up and showing off their new smile!

I have lived in New Hampshire for 27 years with my husband, two adult children, and our dogs, Daisy Mae and Sheldon. My family and I love spending time together outdoors barbecuing and relaxing by the pool.

As our Clinic Coordinator, I ensure that the members of the clinic team are working together to ensure that each patient has a wonderful experience while also supporting Dr. Sousa to create beautiful smiles. I am also responsible for patient care, education and ordering supplies for the clinic. Walking into the office, you may immediatley notice that we alwayshave a fun theme to our office. Christa and I work together to make sure that there is always a fun element to the office to help the patient's have a fun experience when they are here!

I grew up in Salem, NH and I was also a previous patient of Dr. Sousa as a teeneager! When I am not in the office you can find me walking trails with my long haired dachsund, Brady. I also enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

I help to ensure the clinicoperatessmoothly andsupportDr. Sousa as we work together to create beautiful smiles! I am also responsible for patient care and education and helping Christa at the front desk when necessary. Since I work hands-on with our patients, I get to see their smiles change first-hand. Its an amazing thing to witness!

I reside in Salem with my two young children and our cat Jolly. I enjoy taking them to their extracurricular activities. My daughter is on a competitive gymnastics team and my son is involved with karate. I volunteer at their elementary school and am an active member of Saints Mary and Joseph Parish here in Salem where I also assistant-teach third-grade faith formation. On our off time we enjoy traveling to Ft. Myers Beach, Floridaand Disney!

For most people, achieving a healthy, beautiful smile is the reason for receiving orthodontic care. If you're self-conscious about your smile, correcting your concerns with braces will greatly improve the way you look and feel.

When your treatment is complete, you will have the smile you've always dreamed of and the confidence to show it off! We also want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your entire orthodontic experience, and our practice is dedicated to making sure that you receive the quality care you deserve.

Orthodontic appliances are made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to the proper position.

Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. You can now choose clear or metal brackets and, in some cases, the color of your appliance. Wires are far less noticeable, and the latest materials are designed to move teeth faster with more comfort. Today, any age is a great age to wear braces!

Treatment time varies and can last between one and three years, depending on several factors including age, treatment method, and how minor or severe your case is. A big factor in a successful treatment is you! The more involved and diligent you are, the more efficient your treatment will be. For children, receiving interceptive or early treatment can also help provide a quicker treatment time.