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Vanessa grew up in Somerville and is very familiar with the area. She attended, and just recently finished, the dental assistant program at Lincoln Technical Institute. While in the program she was given the opportunity to do her externship at Al-Aswad Dental. Throughout the course of the program she worked full time at a day care. Despite working in that field for quite a bit, she decided to make the career change from helping kids learn and grow to another important aspect of childhood- dentistry. She hopes one day to further her education and become a dental hygienist. In her free time, she enjoys exploring and seeing what the world has to offer, as well as meeting new people. Since joining the team full time, she has enjoyed meeting and interacting with patients of every background and is looking forward to proving the future with a brighter smile!

Passionate about Dentistry, Dr. Al-Aswad was keen on establishing a trademark in dental excellence, patient care, and conservative treatments.

Academically, she pursued a degree in Dental Medicine and a Graduate Degree in pediatric dentistry from Boston University with academic distinction. Dr. Al-Aswad completed her Master's degree in healthcare management/public health from Columbia University, New York in October 2016. 

Practicing pediatric dentistry is challenging and rewarding at the same time. A child’s shy smile, hug, high five, or a personal story told at the end of an appointment no matter how challenging that appointment was is the greatest reward for a job well done by the dentist and staff. 

Dr. Al-Aswad's passion doesn't stop at helping children within a practice setting; she worked on expanding to reach underprivileged children locally and in refugee camps. Therefore, she believes that the public health program will allow her to expand and further help with deeper impact in areas that are in dire need of expert public health programs. 

Dr. Al-Aswad has co-founded a US non-profit organization (Promise for Relief and Development) operating mostly in the war-devastated Syria and aiding refugees in surrounding counties.  As the vice president, legal attaché, she has developed both the orphan sponsor and food baskets programs. Also, she is a member of the Syrian Medical Commission, which is a charitable organization based in Kuwait City with members all in the medical field and spread all over the world.  The mission of the organization is to provide funding and facilitate medical treatment for victims of the Syrian war at home or in Diaspora.  

Jennifer has been part of Al-Aswad Dental team since August 2004.  She is passionate about being a patient advocate. She believes there’s nothing like the satisfied look on a patient's face when they’ve navigated the sometimes confusing world of insurance/financing and the unknown of treatment to come out the other end with an even bigger better smile. To calm fears, answer questions and help make treatment possible, especially in a soothing environment is rewarding to me.

Unusual as it may seem, Jennifer always enjoyed going to the dentist as a child, which eventually led her down the career path of Dental Assisting. She strives to build relationships with our patients and find their trust very important and rewarding; Going to work every day is a new experience and another opportunity to ensure our patients feel comfortable and leave happy. Most rewarding to her is seeing a patient with a confident smile after treatment and  She thoroughly enjoys working with the team at Al-Aswad Dental and always look forward to making our patients’ dental experiences better.

 When she is not working she loves spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, or simply sitting at the beach waiting for a nice sunset and being thankful for the day that has pass and the new day that soon will start.