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.”
Hisham Merdad, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Sterling
Education & Expertise
Dr. Merdad graduated from King Abdulaziz University Faculty of Dentistry in his hometown of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with a Bachelor of dental medicine and surgery in 2004. After practicing as a general dentist for a couple of years, he decided to pursue postgraduate education in the US. He joined Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where he completed a Doctor of Science in Dentistry degree in dental public health in 2011. He then pursued his residency training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, which he completed in 2012. After that, he taught pediatric dentistry as an assistant professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry until 2014. He then moved to northern Virginia, where he has been practicing as a pediatric dentist since.
Associations & Memberships
He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry. He’s also American board certified in both pediatric dentistry and dental public health.
Home Life
Outside of the work environment, Dr. Merdad lives in Alexandria with his wife, Dareen, and their son, Obai. They enjoy outdoor activities, as well as visiting the rich museums and art galleries in the Washington, D.C. area.
“I believe that every child is special in his or her own way. My training in both dental public health and pediatric dentistry helps me to apply the best scientific evidence in a way that best fits each individual child. I always aims to connect with patients and their parents, thereby helping the children to have fun, positive dental experiences that will promote their 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.”
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Dr. Ivan Zhang , DMD
Pediatric Dentist
Rockville
Education & Expertise
Dr. Ivan Zhang, a New England native, is proud to call the Washington D.C. metro area his new home! As a board certified pediatric dentist, he completed his pediatric dentistry residency in Chicago after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine with a Doctorate in Dental Medicine. Prior to that, he earned his Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Biochemistry at Bowdoin College, and subsequently worked as a teacher and coach at The Field School in Washington, D.C., where he solidified his passion for working with children. His devotion for pediatric dentistry is manifested through the smiles and laughter that he instills in his patients as well as the growing relationships and trust that he establishes with their families. In his spare time, he loves to run, travel, cook, and spend time with his family, friends, and dog. Dr. Ivan is excited to see all of your smiles at the Rockville office!
Associations & Memberships
Dr. Ivan is an active member of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Home Life
Outside of dentistry, he enjoys running, traveling, exploring the arts, and spending time with my family, friends, and dog.
Dr. 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).
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We can’t wait to meet you! Contact one of our five convenient locations around the DC area.
