Dr. Maria Jividen

I was born on Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. As an Air Force kid, my family moved frequently and I experienced life in many different places, including six formative years in Europe. However, DMV is really my home as most of my education and professional career has been in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

• University of Virginia (B.S. in Systems and Information Engineering with a minor in German language and literature)
• Virginia Commonwealth University (DDS)
• Orthodontic Specialist Certification: Tufts University
• Diplomat of the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO Certified)
• Memberships: ADA, ABO, AAO, DCDS, NVDS, MASO.
• Study groups: Greater Washington Academy of Women Dentists, Renaissance, Capitol Academy of Clinical Dentistry Study Club

I love the D.C. area because it’s home to a vibrant, diverse community that welcomes people from all over the world and creates a rich environment full of cultural and intellectual growth opportunities. It’s a place I feel both inspired and purposeful. And with world-class museums, international cuisine, and historic neighborhoods, there is always something new to explore and appreciate.

While going through my own experience with an expander and braces, my visits to my orthodontist, Dr. Mike, were always so joyful and fun. During high school, he graciously allowed me to shadow him for a day. That experience cemented my desire to follow in his footsteps. At that point in my life, I had never met an adult who genuinely loved her or his career as much as Dr. Mike loved being an orthodontist. To this day, I am grateful to call Dr. Mike a close friend and mentor.

Orthodontics perfectly blends all my passions: engineering, people, and service. It is also a field that allows me to be a lifelong learner, as I am constantly able to grow as a clinician, leader, educator, and innovator. And, I deeply value the long-term relationships I get to build with my patients over time.

Trust. Without trust, even the most skilled clinician cannot build meaningful connections or achieve the best outcomes. In orthodontics, care often spans several defining years and therefore trust becomes the foundation for collaboration, consistency, and confidence. It allows patients – especially children and families – to feel safe, understood, and valued, turning what could be a stressful process into a positive, life-changing experience.

I love working with children with special needs, helping them feel more comfortable in the ortho setting and ensuring that each visit is as smooth and positive as possible. I have also had the honor of participating in local and international mission service trips that extend dental care to underprivileged populations. And, around the holidays, my family and I get to sponsor a family in need and make it our mission to bring their children’s holiday wishes to life.

I have a cat named Whiskers!