Team

Meet our multidisciplinary team

Our multidisciplinary team

Kirsten

Dentist / Implantologist

In 2007, Kirsten graduated cum laude as a dentist from the University of Groningen. After graduation, she gained experience in various private dental practices and also worked on several dental projects in developing countries. In recent years, she has focused more on implantology and minor oral surgery. Kirsten completed her PhD in April 2016 at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Medical Centre Groningen and now holds the title of Dr. Kirsten. Since 2013, she has been registered with the NVOI as an implantologist (www.nvoi.nl) and is a member of the Dutch Quality Register for Dentists (Kwaliteitsregister Tandartsen). Kirsten is also a member of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM). Based on her experience with surgery in both children and adults, she treats babies who have difficulty drinking or eating solid foods. She believes it is important to give babies a good start and to help children and adults as best as she can. Kirsten is the mother of three sons (born in 2014, 2016, and 2020) and two daughters (born in 2018 and 2023). BIG registration number: 69908890902

Suzanne

General Practitioner

In 2006, Suzanne graduated cum laude as a general practitioner from the University of Groningen. After internships in Psychiatry and Gynecology/Obstetrics, she began her specialization as a general practitioner. During her medical studies, Suzanne worked as a qualified x-ray technician at the UMCG Radiology department, where child radiology was her area of expertise. During her general practice training, her focus on obstetrics and maternity care expanded. As part of her specialization in general practice, she specialized in obstetrics and holds the title Drs. Suzanne. After successfully completing her specialization as a general practitioner in 2010 and becoming a mother, she developed an even stronger affinity for pediatric medicine. Currently, she works as a general practitioner in various practices and values the importance of good guidance and attention to issues surrounding the care of babies and children. Suzanne is the mother of a son and a daughter. BIG Registration Number: 09065378101

Eva

Dentist

In 2014, Eva graduated as a dentist from the University of Groningen. During her studies, she spent several months working under challenging conditions in Tanzania. In recent years, she has further specialized in endodontics, surgery, and general dentistry, and therefore holds the title Drs. Eva. In the regions where she works as a dentist, she often treats anxious patients and children. Preventing problems is very important to her. Our work, combined with good collaboration with lactation consultants, speech therapists, and sometimes physiotherapists and dentists, is therefore a plus. It is precisely this multidisciplinary collaboration that makes the work so challenging and interesting. Besides working as a locum dentist at the Tongriem Clinic, Eva is currently also employed as a dentist in several practices. BIG registration number: 69918676002

Maaike

Nurse / Lactation Consultant IBCLC / Prevention Assistant

Maaike qualified as a nurse in Groningen in 1985. After working in maternity home care for about 15 years, Maaike decided to study everything about breastfeeding and earned her certificate as a Lactation Consultant IBCLC (International Board of Certified Lactation Consultants) in 2001. She was recertified in 2006, 2012, and 2017. From 2012, Maaike has studied the implications that a tight tongue tie and lip tie may have on breastfeeding. She follows international multidisciplinary symposia on the subject and is in contact with other tongue tie clinics around the world. Maaike understands the importance of healthcare workers learning more about early breastfeeding problems that can arise from restrictions of movement caused by tongue and lip tie through education. In order to provide guidance for parents and their children before and after the release of tongue tie, Maaike focuses on working at the Tongue Tie Clinic and in her private practice. She helped write the document: “Functional problems of tongue and lip tie in infants" of the Lactation Consultant professional organization NVL. Maaike is the mother of two sons, born in 2002 and 2004. BIG registration number: 29002221130 IBCLC registry L-34751 NVL member 64901

Dorinda

Nurse / Lactation Consultant ICBLC / Prevention Assistant

After studying nursing, Dorinda graduated as a Lactation Consultant IBCLC in 2010. She is also a Doula and has many years of experience working in community public health as a Health Visitor (0-4 years) and as a Lactation Consultant. Her main focus is on physiology, prevention, and maintaining the health of children and parents. Over the years, she has encountered many mothers and babies facing challenges caused by tongue and lip tie. This sparked her interest in the subject, and she began taking courses to deepen her knowledge. You can meet Dorinda at the Tongue Tie Clinic during consultations. Together with her lactation consultant colleagues, she also provides aftercare appointments within our clinic. Additionally, she runs her private practice in the Zwolle region. She is the mother of two wonderful teenagers, a boy and a girl. BIG registration number: 39043394630
IBCLC: 310-76596
NVL:54010

Baukje

Nurse / Lactation Consultant IBCLC / Prevention Assistant

After working for several years as a maternity nurse, Baukje wanted to deepen her knowledge of breastfeeding-related issues. To this end, she completed a Post HBO program to become a Lactation Consultant IBCLC and graduated in 2012. During her work as a maternity nurse and lactation consultant, she encountered breastfeeding problems where babies sometimes suffered from limited oral motor skills due to a short tongue tie and/or lip tie. During this period, Baukje also had a lactation consultancy practice at home and regularly worked for the Tongue Tie Clinic. As she wanted to further develop herself, she graduated as a nurse in 2019, after which she worked for almost a year in the Hematology department at the UMCG. She then worked briefly with children with severe multiple disabilities. Since March 2021, Baukje has been working again at the Tongue Tie Clinic. BIG registration number: 49925895730 IBCLC number: L-42994

Gerry

Lactation Consultant / Prevention Assistant

Gerry grew up in the beautiful South Limburg. After successfully completing her HBO nursing degree, she moved to Borne (Overijssel) for love, where she specialized as an obstetric nurse at Ziekenhuis Groep Twente (ZGT). From 2012 to 2022, she worked as an obstetric nurse in the maternity ward of ZGT Almelo. Her passion for breastfeeding has always been present, but her intention to pursue lactation consultancy arose after the birth of her second child. Gerry is now the mother of three children (two daughters and a son). In 2020, she successfully completed the Lactation Consultant IBCLC program at NCLO in Almere. After obtaining her diploma, she started her own lactation consultancy practice, Opti-Mum, in January 2021, which she now runs full-time alongside her work at the Tongriem Clinic. From experience, she knows that breastfeeding comes with its challenges and uncertainties. Breastfeeding is much more than just feeding your baby. As a lactation consultant, she puts the child and parents at the center and provides tailored advice to ensure breastfeeding is done in a way that fits the family — with confidence and joy. Gerry does her work with heart and enthusiasm. You can find her at the intake consultations, treatments, and aftercare appointments. BIG registration number:79915327530 IBCLC number: L-300090

Hilda

Nurse / Prevention Assistant

Hilda knew from a young age that she wanted to become a nurse. She graduated as a HBO nurse in 2021, after which she worked for a while as a community nurse. She has always been interested in working with children and teenagers, which led her to work for three years as a teaching assistant in the Care & Welfare department of a secondary school. After becoming a mother herself in January 2025 to a daughter with a tight tongue tie and lip tie, her interest in this issue grew, and she applied to work at the Tongue Tie Clinic. She has been happily working there since April 2025. BIG registration number: 29928924630

Bodil

Office manager

In 2013, Bodil completed her degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in Groningen. After graduating, she lived and worked in Madrid for three years. Upon returning to Groningen, she completed an accelerated teacher training program (PABO) and then worked for several years as a primary school teacher. Administrative tasks were a big part of the job, and she discovered that she was actually much more drawn to that type of work. In 2021, she decided to make the switch and pursue a career in administration. She is currently working remotely from Rotterdam as the practice manager at the Tongue Tie Clinic, and to this day, she is happy with the decision she made!

Laura

Receptionist

After graduating from Hotel Management School, Laura worked as a manager in a hospitality business in Groningen. She enjoyed this work for several years. In July 2021, Laura became a mother to a baby girl. As a new mother, she felt the need for a new challenge and she found it here. Since October 2022, Laura has been working three days a week as a receptionist at the Tongue Tie Clinic. You can find her at the front desk when you come in for your appointment, or perhaps you’ve already spoken to her by phone or email. Laura has truly found her place here and carries out her work with great joy and satisfaction. She will welcome and assist you during your visit to the Tongue Tie Clinic, always with a smile.

Sanne

Receptionist

After studying nursing (HBO-V), Sanne decided to change her career path and found her true calling as a receptionist at another company. Sanne is known for her enthusiasm and compassion, and she has a natural talent for making people feel at ease. As a mother of two sons, Gijs and Youp, Sanne has a unique perspective on life. After the loss of her first son, Gijs, she learned to cherish the small moments and make the most of life. Her second son, Youp, brings daily joy and fresh energy into her life. In addition to her work and motherhood, Sanne is passionate about exploring the world and discovering new cultures. She loves finding beautiful places, broadening her horizons, and drawing inspiration from her travels, which only strengthens her empathy and understanding for others. Sanne brings a warm and welcoming presence to our team.

Carin

Receptionist

Since 2024, Carin has been working as a receptionist in the friendly team at the Tongriem Clinic. After many years of working as a dental assistant and prevention assistant, Carin made the switch to receptionist duties in 2019. It’s a highly versatile role, and for her, the interaction with patients is the most enjoyable part of the job. She warmly welcomes you at the front desk of the Tongriem Clinic.