Gentle, compassionate care for the whole family.

Heather Leonard received her degree from the Dental Hygiene Program at Cape Cod Community College in 2009, and joined the Carver Smiles team after graduation. Heather has worked caring for four generations of families from Carver and the many surrounding communities we serve. She is passionate about promoting community health care and building personal, lasting relationships with her patients. Certified in dental hygiene, local anesthesia administration, and in CPR, she continues to further her knowledge with continuing education courses in dental hygiene. When not working, Heather loves spending time with her family, going on adventures and anywhere that has great food!

Sheri DeSousa attended Southeastern Massachusetts University for business before getting her Dental Hygiene Degree from Bristol Community College. She now has over 30 years of experience in the dental field, and is certified in dental hygiene, local anesthesia administration and CPR. She has been part of the hygiene team at Carver Smiles since 2016, and enjoys working in this wonderful community, with such kind people. Through continuing education classes, she learns about the newest technologies, products and procedures, which she then shares with our patients, educating them on how to best attain and keep their beautiful smiles. When not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, husband, grown sons, and pets. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, culinary experiences, baking, shopping, and reading.

Shelley Francois graduated from Cape Cod Community College Dental Hygiene Program with high honors in 2016. Certified in dental hygiene, local anesthesia administration and CPR she has, since then, been dedicated to creating healthy smiles and building close, trusting relationships with her patients. Shelley's specialty is working with patients who are anxious about coming to the dentist. She also loves working with pediatrics. Shelley enjoys spending time her with husband and two kids, who all love camping and travelling together, and anything that gets them out into the great outdoors!

Lindsay Dias graduated as a dental hygienist from Bristol Community College in 2021, where she served as class treasurer and ranked in the top five of her class. She is certified in dental hygiene, local anesthesia administration, and CPR. Prior to her degree in dental hygiene, she worked for five years as a certified dental assistant, most recently assisting with complex sedation surgeries. Lindsay decided to pursue work in the dental field as a way of helping and serving her community. In addition to caring for her patients, Lindsay dedicates time to educating them on the importance of oral health, particularly as it's linked to systemic health. She also really enjoys working with children. In her free time, Lindsay enjoys spending quality time with her family, friends, and of course, her puppy!

Laurinda Eloma has been a practicing Certified Dental Assistant for over 20 years. During that time she has had the opportunity to work with numerous General Dentists and Specialists and has gained chair-side experience in the fields of Endodontics, Periodontics, Oral Surgery, and Implantology. She is experienced in assisting with both adult and pediatric sedation surgeries and dedicated to working with special needs patients, and those suffering with severe dental anxiety. Fluent in English, Kriolu (Cape Verdean Creole) and Portuguese, outside of work Laurinda enjoys cooking and spending time her her family.

Lauren Grasso has been a dental assistant for three years. She attended Southeastern Technical Institute where she received her certification as an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant. In addition to assisting in chairside procedures like dental exams, restorations, and oral surgery, Lauren is skilled in taking dental impressions, constructing temporary crowns and bleaching trays, and placing sealants. She is experienced in assisting with both adult and pediatric sedation surgeries and dedicated to working with special needs patients. In her free time, she enjoys spending time family, with her two dogs, and golfing.

Susanne Tavares joined Carver Smiles in March of 2020. She came to us with over eight years of dental management experience and over 30 years of corporate retail and customer service management. Highly organized and responsible for overseeing various aspects of front office administration, Susanne is extremely knowledgeable about the complexities of dental insurance and treatment planning, helping patients understand their coverage and how to best achieve better health. Susanne lives in Westport with her husband. They have two children, and love to spend family time with them and their extended family. Very involved in her church in different areas of service, she considers it an honor to be able to help those in need, wherever they may be.

Originally from Mountainside, New Jersey, Angela Richard moved to Mattapoisett in 2019 to be near her family, including her three children and two grandchildren. She is a graduate from Union Country Technical College, and has over 20 years of experience working as both a dental assistant and front desk dental office receptionist. With over two decades of clinical and administrative experience, Angela brings her tremendous depth of knowledge and expertise to our patients and practitioners alike. From booking appointments and doing wellness checks to helping explain complex treatment plans and dental insurance coverage, she works to benefit all. When not at the office, Angela enjoys doing yoga, playing paddle, and cooking for her large family. She especially loves bringing in sweet treats for the office staff!

Kim Pellegri received her Bachelor's of Science degree from Fairfield University in 1985. Highly experienced, she has worked as a Dental Office Manager since 1989. Knowledgeable in dental insurance and treatment planning, she has been a core member of the Carver Smiles team for over half a decade. Kim brings her expertise in working with multiple types of dental practices to help patients understand their coverage and assist our Doctors, hygienists, and assistants in providing the very best dental care possible. When not working, she loves to read, travel, and walk beautiful beaches - from New England to the tropics!

Summit Bleak has worked as an intern at Carver Smiles since 2017. She is currently a biological sciences, pre-medicine, major at the University of Southern California. Outside of her work at the office and University, she enjoys sailing, skiing, hiking, and art, particularly sculpture and pottery.

Lily Burtner has worked as an intern at Carver Smiles since 2017. She is currently a premed major at the University of Miami. She is fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Outside of her work at the office and University, she enjoys travel, sailing, skiing, and the beautiful beaches of New England and the Florida coast.

Jennifer Bleak has a Masters and PhD degree from the University of Texas at Austin. She has worked in International Development in Latin America, Asia, and the United States, with a focus on involuntary resettlement in natural disaster and civil conflict zones. Jennifer has worked and taught at various Universities including Harvard, Tufts, and the University of Texas at Austin, during which she collaborated with doctors, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and donors to establish and outfit health centers and surgical clinics throughout Central America. Brought up by MD's active in both private practice and the Boston Hospital systems of Mass. General, Mass. Eye and Ear, and McLean, she and her husband both felt strongly that they should establish their family's private practice 'back home' in an area where clinics of their kind did not yet exist. A native of New England and the South Shore, she has, over the past decade helped to establish and grow this practice, while continuing her academic work. Outside the office and the University, Jennifer dedicates every free moment to historical restoration, environmental conservation, and writing children's historical fiction.