About Smile Studio
Dr. Marie Farrar, a Chattanooga, TN orthodontist, and her husband, prosthodontist Dr. Mitch Baldree, purchased the building that houses their offices in 1998, at the forefront of the resurgence currently occurring on the Southside. Committed to urban renewal, adaptive renewal, and historic preservation, they were able to transform a former honky-tonk into a respectable professional office. Using grants for facade and historic restoration, Dr. Baldree received the Historic Preservation Award from Cornerstones, now Preserve Chattanooga, in 2001.
In 2011, Dr. Farrar moved her orthodontic practice into the space adjoining her husband’s practice. Together, they form Southside Dental Arts, LLC. Thanks to a generous grant from Chattanooga, TN Green|Spaces, she was able to achieve LEED Silver recognition for the interior build-out of her space.
Dr. Marie is committed to pursuing sustainability not only in her personal life but in her professional orthodontic practice as well. In addition to achieving LEED certification, she also achieved gold certification from the EcoDentistry Association. Various green practices adopted by the practice include paperless charting, digital radiography, photography & impression, composting food waste, recycling not only plastic, paper, and cardboard but also sharps and medical waste, minimizing the use of plastics and disposables, distilling our water for steam sterilization, and utilizing eco-friendly cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing products and processes.
Check out more office photos here.
About Dr. Farrar
A third-generation dentist specializing in orthodontics, Dr. Marie Farrar (pronounced “fairer”) is an LA girl—born and raised in "lower" Alabama. Following ten years of higher education in Memphis at Rhodes College (BS in psychobiology cum laude) and the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry (DDS with high honors & MS in orthodontics), Dr. Marie officially adopted the volunteer state as her home. She and her husband, Dr. Mitch Baldree, settled in Chattanooga in 1991.
Dr. Farrar participates in the Chattanooga Area Dental Study Group, is Past President of the Chattanooga Area Dental Society, and maintains membership in the Tennessee Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Tennessee Association of Orthodontists, the Southern Association of Orthodontists, and the American Association of Orthodontists. She has attained diplomate status in the American Board of Orthodontics and has been honored by membership in the Pierre Fauchard Society and the International College of Dentists.
A mom and a grandmom, Dr. Marie has spent time as a class mom/PTA representative, as a Cubmaster for her son’s Cub Scout troop, and as a Sunday school and confirmation class teacher. She’s served in various ministries and leadership roles in her church, including chair of the Church Council. When she has some time for herself, she enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and digging in the dirt at her family’s in-town hobby farm.
Dr. Marie feels blessed to have spent the first 20 years of her career honing her clinical skills in a large, high-volume - yet high-quality - practice. This position gave her the wonderful opportunity to work in her profession part-time while her children were young. Now that they are grown and flown, she loves her intentionally small, low-volume practice devoted to individualized patient care.
Meet our TEAM
Krista, RDA
As Smile Studio’s Front Office Coordinator, I’m the person who’ll greet you at the door, on the phone, or by text or e-mail.
Julia, RDA, Specialized Orthodontic Assistant, CertBBM
I’ll help you through the new patient process as Dr. Farrar’s Treatment Coordinator. I also provide Buteyko breathing re-education and myofunctional therapy.
Mary, RDA, Specialized Orthodontic Assistant
As the Clinical Coordinator, I get to watch your smile transform from beginning to end, all the way through retention.
Aleta
As the Financial Coordinator, I’m happy to help you maximize your insurance benefits and set up your payment plan.