Welcome to Driftwood Dental Studio: A Little About Me and Why I Love What I Do

Choosing a dentist is about more than finding someone to care for your teeth. It’s about finding a practice where you feel comfortable, valued, and genuinely cared for. That’s exactly the kind of experience I wanted to create when I opened Driftwood Dental Studio, and I’d love to share a little about my journey and what brought me to Wilmington. 

I grew up in Morgan Hill, Calif., a small town in the Bay Area, before attending UC Santa Barbara for my undergraduate studies. During those years, I realized something important about myself: I could never live far from the ocean. That love of the coast has shaped many of the decisions I’ve made throughout my life. 

I earned my dental degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 2005 before completing a two-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency at Nova Southeastern University in North Miami Beach, Fla. Living on the East Coast during my residency only reinforced how much I enjoyed coastal living, and it also prepared me to provide comprehensive dental care for patients with a wide range of needs. 

After residency, I accepted a position with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Like many new dentists, I was looking for opportunities that would help ease the financial burden of dental school while allowing me to make a meaningful impact. That opportunity led me to several rural clinics across North Carolina, where I cared for communities with limited access to dental care. 

Those early years remain some of the most rewarding of my career. Caring for underserved populations taught me that dentistry is about so much more than treating teeth. It’s about relieving pain, restoring confidence, and helping people improve their overall health and quality of life. Those experiences continue to influence the way I care for every patient who walks through my doors. I also continue to give back through my volunteer work with New Hanover Outreach Clinic, where helping our neighbors access quality dental care serves as a constant reminder of why I chose this profession. 

When I first explored North Carolina’s coast, Wilmington was the very first beach town I visited. I immediately fell in love with its charm, welcoming community, and relaxed coastal lifestyle. Nearly 20 years later, I still feel grateful to call Wilmington home. Even as it has grown, it has maintained the small beach-town atmosphere that first captured my heart. 

The opportunity to open Driftwood Dental Studio in 2024 came when the corporate dental office at our current location closed, allowing me to establish the private Wilmington practice I had always envisioned. I opened it with Dr. Prasad Vasamsetti, who specializes in general and cosmetic dentistry. We met during our AEGD residency, and he’s been a great friend and mentor over the past two decades. Opening Driftwood was an exciting and admittedly nerve-wracking leap, but today I couldn’t be more thankful. Our practice has grown into a place where patients are treated like family. 

At Driftwood Dental Studio, we provide comprehensive general dentistry, including preventive care, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, dentures, partials, and nitrous oxide to help patients who experience dental anxiety. Just as important as the services we offer is the team providing them. We’re fortunate to work alongside two experienced dental hygienists, two wonderful front desk care coordinators and an exceptional dental assistant. Because we’re a small practice, our patients are greeted by familiar faces at every visit and enjoy a personalized experience that’s increasingly hard to find. 

For me, the greatest reward is seeing patients leave our office healthier, more comfortable and smiling with confidence. Helping people achieve lasting oral health and feel proud of their smiles is why I’ve dedicated more than 20 years to dentistry. I look forward to welcoming you to Driftwood Dental Studio and showing you what compassionate, personalized dental care is all about.