At our practice, we prioritize connection, convenience, and accessibility—creating beautiful, healthy smiles with a personalized touch.
My journey to becoming an orthodontist was a circuitous one. I actually majored in journalism in college and worked on the editorial team at Self Magazine and then at Urban Medicine. Although I still have a passion for writing, my love for helping people to “have the smile they always wanted” far surpasses it.
I chose to go back to school and pursue a career in orthodontics because I was drawn to the combination of artistry, science and working individually with people. I attended Northwestern University Dental School, receiving my Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and then completed my orthodontic residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in New York.
I am a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, a certification that only one-third of orthodontists in the U.S. achieve. I am a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Hampshire Dental Association, and the Pioneer Valley Women’s Dental Association. My research comparing the dynamics of the posed versus spontaneous smiles was published in the American Journal of Orthodontics.
I live in Florence with my husband Marty and our dog Brody. We moved here from New York in 1996 and happily stayed and raised our two children in the Valley! I love hiking, music, tennis and anything that involves being outside with family and friends.
In 2015, my family and I moved to Massachusetts, where I transitioned into full time private practice. In addition to caring for my patients, I volunteer in different leadership roles within the orthodontic community, including serving as Past President of the Northeastern Society of Orthodontists and as a Delegate for the American Association of Orthodontists. I am also a Diplomate and Examiner of the American Board of Orthodontics. To stay connected to teaching and mentoring, I’m a part-time Clinical Instructor at Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
Outside of work, I enjoy being active and spending time with my husband and our two children, Ben and Ana Karen. I love traveling, hosting, visiting with family and friends, and experiencing new things—I’m pretty much game for anything I’m invited to! My family also owns Ana Bandeira Chocolates, a local café and chocolate company, where I can sometimes be found behind the counter or sipping a hot chocolate.
Whether outdoors, around a table with a great meal, or simply over coffee and chocolate, I’m happiest when sharing those moments with the people I love.
My journey to become an orthodontist started with dental school in Buffalo, NY. I graduated cum laude from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. While at the University of Buffalo, I also earned a PhD in Physiology and Biophysics and was very involved in research, resulting in several publications. I continued my studies in the specialty field of Orthodontics at the University of Connecticut, where I also pursued postdoctoral research in human genetics and bone physiology. After completing my specialty training in orthodontics, I became a faculty member in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Connecticut for several years. As a faculty member, I mentored students, I treated patients in the faculty practice, I taught in the dental school and in the specialty programs, I did research and published several papers and contributed to some text books as well.
The current chapter of my career has focused on patient care in private practice in Massachusetts. I am happy to be part of the team of excellent orthodontists at In the Valley Orthodontics as I raise my family in the Pioneer Valley. I am a member of several professional organizations, including the American Association of Orthodontists, the Massachusetts Association of Orthodontists, Massachusetts Dental Society and the local branches of these organizations.
Outside of being an orthodontist, I love to spend time with my family, my dogs and our friends. I also enjoy volunteering my time with some of the area’s community service organizations that serve the Pioneer Valley. Some of my favorite things to do are hiking, biking, skiing, cooking and going to see live music at the great venues around us.
Only one-third of orthodontists in the U.S. opt to go through the certification process from the American Board of Orthodontics, signifying their commitment to continued proficiency and excellence in orthodontics.