Meet Dr. Vanessa N. Peterson
ABO Board Certified Orthodontist
Dr. Vanessa Peterson was born and raised right here in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Growing up, she attended local schools: Alta Loma Christian School, Deer Canyon Elementary, Vineyard Junior High, Etiwanda High School, and Los Osos High School. She went on to study Biology and Chemistry at Baylor University in Waco, TX where she also joined the Cross Country, Track, Rowing, and Triathlon teams. She returned to Southern California to attend dental school locally at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Then she headed north to Portland, Oregon for her orthodontic residency at Oregon Health & Science University. She loved Portland, Oregon and decided to stay for awhile. She practiced at Kaiser Permanente for 3 years, and became the chief orthodontic specialist before following her dream to start her own orthodontic practice in Lake Oswego, Oregon. In 2018, her mother was in a terrible cycling accident, and so Dr. Peterson sold her dream practice to relocate back to Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Dr. Peterson practiced orthodontics locally in the Inland Empire before once again pursuing her dream to own her own practice. Synergi Orthodontic Specialists opened in July 2020. Dr. Peterson is incredibly blessed to own her own practice, live, and have her kids go to school all in her hometown of Rancho Cucamonga, CA.
Dr. Peterson has two wild and wonderful kiddos: Luke and Zoey. Dr. Peterson LOVES all aspects of her job: being an orthodontist, leading an incredible team of hard working individuals, being a positive influence on her patients, and striving to grow a business focused on customer service and the highest level of dental care, but when she isn’t at the office, you will find her trail running, mountain biking, at the local gym doing CrossFit, on a yoga mat, inviting friends and family over for game night, taking her kids to local activities, going to church, reading books, and enjoying all that this beautiful life and area have to offer!
Dr. Peterson has two wild and wonderful kiddos: Luke and Zoey. Dr. Peterson LOVES all aspects of her job: being an orthodontist, leading an incredible team of hard working individuals, being a positive influence on her patients, and striving to grow a business focused on customer service and the highest level of dental care, but when she isn’t at the office, you will find her trail running, mountain biking, at the local gym doing CrossFit, on a yoga mat, inviting friends and family over for game night, taking her kids to local activities, going to church, reading books, and enjoying all that this beautiful life and area have to offer!
Dr. Peterson has won numerous awards throughout her schooling and career (you can see the highlights down below). She enjoys teaching and sharing what she has learned with other orthodontists and dental colleagues. Dr. Peterson speaks with the 3M™ Unitek Clarity Aligner company, and has also spoken at the Women in Orthodontics Conference and other local venues. Most of all, she loves mentoring kids in the area, speaking at career days, trying to convince everyone that being an orthodontist is the best job in the world. 😊
“I have a lot of energy and I love being in orthodontics! Outside of the office, I enjoy trail running, cycling, triathlons, public speaking, life coaching and leadership development, being involved at church, and spending time with other moms chasing wild kiddos around.”
“I had an incredible orthodontist growing up that truly cared about his patients, and the difference he was making in their lives. I’m so lucky to have been inspired at such an early age to follow the same career path.”
- Board Certified: American Board of Orthodontics
- MS & Certificate: Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR
- DDS: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
- BS: Baylor University, Waco, Tx. Summa Cum Laude
- Member: American Association of Orthodontics, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics, California Association of Orthodontics, Tri-Country Dental Association, OKU Dental Honor Society
- Selected Leadership Positions: Chief Orthodontic Specialist Kaiser Permanente. Chair, New & Younger Members, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontics. Chair, Student Delegation, California Dental Association Committee Member, Government Relations Council, Oregon Dental Association
- Clinical Advisory Consultant/Lecturer: 3M Unitek braces and aligners
- Awards: Incisal Edge’s 40 under 40 2021 Top Dental Specialist, 2018 Greater Portland Top Orthodontists Award, LLU Alumni Association Student of the Year, California Dental Association Outstanding Senior Award, American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award, American College of Dentists Outstanding Student Leader Award, Bank of America Business plan of the Year Award, Academic Excellence Gold Award, Baylor “Alumni in the Making” Student Involvement Award, Valedictorian Los Osos High School Class of 2005
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Dental Service Mission Trips: Kenya, Matamoros Mexico (2x), Roatan Honduras
- Publications: “Set Them Off On The Right Path” Orthotown Magazine September 2022, Synergi Undaunted Incisal Edge Magazine 2020; Hidden Gems: Meet Vanessa Peterson of Synergi Orthodontic Specialists Voyage LA Magazine July 2024
- Podcasts: Children’s Airway First Foundation Podcast, Episode 60 March 2024, Listen on Spotify; The Digital Orthontist Live! 2021 (Aligners)
