Get to Know the Team
Ben Liu, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Alexandria/Sterling
Education & Expertise
Dr. Liu originally hails from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from The Johns Hopkins University, in nearby Baltimore, MD. He felt that dentistry was his true calling, and he went on to attend Columbia University in the heart of New York City to pursue his Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Knowing that working with children was a necessary component of his future career, he pursued a two-year specialty program, earning his certificate in Pediatric Dentistry at New York University. Upon graduation, Dr. Liu worked as an associate at various pediatric dental offices in New Jersey. He then moved to the DC metro area in 2013 to found and establish multiple locations of his pediatric practice, SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry.
Associations & Memberships
Dr. Liu is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and Virginia Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
Home Life
When not in the office, Dr. Liu spends his free time with his wife and three children enjoying their community of Falls Church. He loves cooking and traveling, especially exploring new cuisines and new countries around the world, and enjoys staying active through various outdoor activities like skiing, tennis, and bicycling.
“I sincerely believe that fun, patience, and a gentle touch are the key factors in earning the trust of a child. By educating parents and incorporating them as a partner in maintaining the oral health of their child, the benefits are magnified, and a stable and safe dental home can be created for the child and, in turn, the whole family.”
Eva Swenson, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Alexandria
Education & Expertise
Dr. Swenson graduated from dental school at the Royal Dental College at Aarhus University in Denmark in 2010 with a Master of Science in Dental Surgery. After graduation, she worked as a general dentist in Norway, her home country, providing comprehensive dental care to children and adults. She then completed two years of general dentistry residency, one year at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine in Farmington and a second year at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in Memphis. Her passion for working with children grew throughout this period. She was accepted into the Pediatric Postdoctoral Program at the University of Alabama School of Dental Medicine in Birmingham, where she earned her Pediatric Dental Specialty degree in June 2015. As part of her residency training, Dr. Swenson received intensive knowledge and training in the areas of pediatric medicine, behavior management, oral conscious sedation, dental rehabilitation under general anesthesia, and treating patients with special needs.
Associations & Memberships
Dr. Swenson is Board Certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and an active member of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Northern Virginia Dental Association and the Danish Dental Association.
Home Life
In her free time, Dr. Swenson enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with friends and family. Besides English, she speaks Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish fluently.
“I love to combine my American and Scandinavian dental philosophies to bring a unique perspective to pediatric dentistry with a gentle, conservative, and preventative approach. I firmly believe that every dental visit should be a positive experience, and that establishing a trusting relationship with patients and parents is the key to a lifelong positive attitude towards good oral health.”
Rawia Alkhunaizi, DDS
Orthodontist
Alexandria/Sterling
Education & Expertise
Dr. Alkhunaizi, the orthodontist, spent her childhood in both Greeley, Colorado, and overseas, which has given her a unique perspective and the ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Shortly after graduating from dental school in 2015, she completed an Esthetic Dentistry training and a Master’s degree in Biomaterials from Boston University Goldman’s School of Dental Medicine in 2008. After graduation, she worked at a hospital-based private practice for three years where she treated numerous clinical cases. Dr.Alkhunaizi has always had a passion for helping people achieve healthy and beautiful smiles. After working in private practice, she completed her orthodontic training at Jacksonville University and graduated in 2014. During the residency, she gained extensive training and experience in treating a wide range of orthodontic issues. She was also awarded the prestigious AAO award for exceptional interest in the development of the oro-facial complex. In 2015, she received the American Board of Orthodontics Certification, representing the highest educational achievement in the orthodontic specialty. She is committed to staying up-to-date on the latest orthodontic treatment and technology advancements.
Dr.Alkhunaizi takes pride in getting to know her patients on a personal level and developing personalized treatment plans that address their individual needs and goals. She is not only dedicated to her patients but also enjoys giving back to the community through volunteering work with various health organizations and being involved in the special needs community. Away from dentistry, Dr.Alkhunaizi enjoys reading, biking, exploring new places, and hosting friends.She looks forward to welcoming you to the practice and helping you achieve your best possible smile.
Associations & Memberships
Dr. Alkhunaizi is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics and Virginia Orthodontic Study Club.
Home Life
She currently lives in Arlington with her seven year old boy. They both enjoy outdoor activities, traveling, visiting museums and being involved in the community. In her spare time, Dr. Alkhunaizi enjoys running and reading.
“I am committed to excellence in my work and overall dental health, and I take immense pride in being part of a team that treats every patient as a member of their family.”
Rupinder Uppal, D.D.S
Education & Expertise
Providing the most advanced dental care in a comfortable and caring atmosphere are the priorities of Dr. Rupinder Uppal DDS. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from one of the top dental schools in the United States, New York University College of Dentistry. She then completed her General Practice Residency (GPR) in 2013 from Hackensack University Medical Center where she gained advanced knowledge and clinical experience in all aspects of general dentistry in addition to pediatric dental care.
Besides dental experience, Dr. Uppal has a rich background of research in dental Biomaterials that was done by her at New York University College of Dentistry and presented as posters at AADR annual meetings in Washington DC and Florida.
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Associations & Memberships
Dr. Uppal is passionate about providing the highest quality dentistry in a pleasant and compassionate manner. She maintains professional membership with the American Dental Association (ADA). To keep abreast of the latest developments and technology in dentistry, she regularly attends continuing education courses. She is certified in providing adult clear braces in terms of Six Months Smile and Invisalign. She has joined our Sterling practice recently; however, she has 7 years of extensive experience in treating kids from another pediatric practice before joining us. She has been providing quality dentistry for our patients, caring for children in our practice.
Home Life
During dental school, Dr. Uppal found her other half and got married in 2010. Now they are blessed with two kids. Outside of dentistry, she loves to spend time with her family. Her hobbies are gardening, racquetball, and shopping (who doesn't like that).
Chinelo Ek
Education & Expertise
Dr. Chinelo Eke worked as a human rights and civil litigation lawyer for several years in London United Kingdom, with a focus on representing minors, before transitioning to dentistry.
She graduated with a distinction from Winston Salem State University, North Carolina with a BSc in Biology. She completed her degree in dentistry from the University of North Carolina Adams School of Dentistry Chapel Hill. Her passion for working with children and her commitment to improving each child’s oral health through positive dental experiences propelled her to embark upon further training in pediatric dentistry.
Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Eke proceeded to obtain both an MSc in Dentistry and Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry.
As part of her residency training, Dr. Eke provided comprehensive dental care for children in all areas of pediatric dentistry with a focus on treatment of patients with special healthcare needs, dental emergencies, behavior management, dental rehabilitation under conscious sedation and general anesthesia.
Dr. Eke believes the best part of being a pediatric dentist is assuaging a child’s fear and anxiety about visiting a dentist and turning it into a positive and fun experience as well as being a part of patients’ formative years, watching them grow, and forming healthy oral habits.
Associations & Memberships
Dr. Eke is an active member of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Home Life
In her spare time, Dr. Eke enjoys travelling, swimming and spending time with her husband, son and extended family.
Debleena Dash, D.D.S
Dr. Dash is a Board Certified pediatric dentist from Nebraska. She was raised in Omaha and earned two degrees from Creighton University: a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Following this, she moved to NYC and worked for a year where her calling was working with special needs patients. She completed a Special Needs Dental Care Fellowship at Stony Brook University and then completed her postdoctoral pediatric residency at Staten Island University Hospital. Dr. Dash has had an array of experience working with children’s oral health needs.
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Associations
Dr. Dash is Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Home Life
In her spare time she enjoys, traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with her two little ones in the Northern Virginia area.
Monica Patel, DDS
Education & Expertise
Dr. Monica Patel, a Tennessee native, earned her BA in Psychology from Emory University in Atlanta, specializing in child and adolescent psychology. She pursued her passion for dental care by obtaining her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Following this, she honed her skills through a General Practice Residency (GPR) at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, NY, where she gained comprehensive training in various aspects of dentistry, with an emphasis on pediatrics.
Prior to joining our team, Dr. Patel acquired valuable experience while working in private practice for over twelve years. Her dedication to providing exceptional care ensures each child receives personalized attention and quality treatment.
Associations & Memberships
Dr. Patel maintains active membership in both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Maryland State Dental Association (MSDA). She engages in continuing education opportunities, staying up to date on the latest research and advancements in her field.
Home Life
In her spare time, Dr. Patel enjoys traveling, exploring all sorts of food cuisines, being outdoors, and spending time with her husband and two young children.
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We can’t wait to meet you! Contact one of our five convenient locations around the DC area.
