Welcome to the General Practice Residency Program at JHC!

Thank you for your interest in the General Practice Residency program at Johnson Health Center! I’m excited to share how our program provides exceptional training while serving the dental health needs of Central Virginia’s diverse communities.

Our mission is rooted in delivering high-quality, compassionate care to patients who often face significant barriers to accessing dental treatment. Many of the individuals we serve come from underserved rural and urban areas, and our residency program plays a vital role in addressing these disparities.

This creates a uniquely rewarding learning environment where residents gain hands-on experience treating complex cases, including patients with special healthcare needs, pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and emergency dental trauma. Our residents also have the opportunity to work alongside medical professionals in an integrated health system, ensuring well-rounded training in both clinical and hospital-based dentistry.

Beyond clinical skills, we foster a close-knit, supportive culture where residents, faculty, and staff are like family. Professional growth is important, but so is personal well-being—we’re committed to helping you thrive in all aspects of your life during your training.

If you’re looking for a residency program that combines rigorous education with meaningful service to the Central Virginia community, we’d love to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions—I’m happy to share more about what makes Johnson Health Center such a special place to train and grow.

Looking forward to connecting!

—Dr. Janna Laverdiere, DMD
Director of Dentistry, Johnson Health Center

Our Program

Location

The Amherst County Community Health Center is located at 109 Clearview Road in Madison Heights, VA (near Lynchburg), serving Central Virginia’s rural and underserved communities. The area is characterized by a mix of residential neighborhoods and rolling countryside, with proximity to schools and major routes like US-29, facilitating access for patients across Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell counties. The new 22,000-square-foot facility anchors local healthcare efforts, combining clinical services with community-focused amenities like a teaching kitchen and wellness center.

Mission, Vision, Values

Our Mission: To provide affordable and comprehensive healthcare with quality services and strong community partnerships to improve access to healthcare for all.

Our Vision: To be a place where staff feel highly valued, patients are deeply cared for, and leaders model the way by living out the core values.

Our Core Values: Respect, Integrity, Excellence, Innovation, and Teamwork.

Program Goals

The program aims to focus on community-based dental care, training residents to serve rural and underserved populations through mobile clinics and school-based outreach. Goals include expanding access to care, particularly for pediatric and prenatal patients, while emphasizing public health dentistry and emergency services. Residents will gain experience in integrated care models, collaborating with medical and behavioral health teams within the FQHC system.

Specialties
  • General Dentistry for Underserved Populations – Focus on comprehensive care for rural, low-income, and uninsured patients.
  • Pediatric & Prenatal Dentistry – Specialized training for children and pregnant patients, including preventive care and education.
  • Emergency & Urgent Dental Care – Managing trauma, infections, and pain in a high-need community setting.
  • Mobile & School-Based Dentistry – Rotations in outreach programs, including portable equipment and preventive services in schools.
  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation & Anxiety Management – Training in sedation techniques for pediatric and special needs patients.
  • Integrated Care Models – Collaboration with medical, behavioral health, and pharmacy teams within the FQHC system.
  • Dental Public Health Initiatives – Community education, policy advocacy, and preventive programs targeting systemic oral health disparities.

Curriculum

Program Year 1 Focus

Advanced Treatments Covered in First-Year Program: 

  • Operative dentistry
  • Replacement of teeth using fixed or removable prosthodontics
  • Periodontal therapy and endodontic therapy
  • Oral surgery and pediatric dental care
  • Evaluation and treatment of dental emergencies
  • Pain and anxiety control techniques (behavioral and pharmacological)

Management Skills Developed in First-Year Program: 

  • Handling medical emergencies
  • Implant management
  • Management of oral and mucosal diseases
  • Addressing temporomandibular disorders and orofacial pain
  • Management of occlusal disorders
Program Year 2 Focus
  • Managing complex and comprehensive dental care in ambulatory and operating room settings
  • Utilizing procedural sedation when necessary
  • Collaborating with cleft lip/cleft palate treatment teams
  • Managing administrative functions within a hospital dental service and postdoctoral educational training program
Didactics
  • Mondays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (7 a.m. for oral surgery topics)
  • Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (occasional later didactics/labs as needed)
  • Didactics are not scheduled during resident rotations

Leadership & Faculty

Gary Campbell

President & CEO

 

Janna Laverdiere, DMD

Dental Director

Amherst County Community Health Center

Life in Lynchburg

Lynchburg, VA, offers a charming mix of small-town warmth and vibrant city amenities, nestled in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Residents enjoy affordable living, outdoor recreation (like hiking the Appalachian Trail or kayaking the James River), and a thriving arts scene, including local galleries and live music venues. The city is home to several universities, fostering a youthful energy, while its historic downtown features breweries, farm-to-table dining, and community events. With easy access to Richmond and Washington, D.C., Lynchburg provides a balanced lifestyle for dental residents seeking both professional growth and quality downtime.

Application Process

How to Apply

Application materials and supporting documentation must be submitted through PASS. Applicants must have completed either a pre-or postdoctoral program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation. We do not participate in MATCH. We are accepting applications through October 1, 2025.

Selection guidelines:

  • Applicants should be a US Citizen or Permanent US Resident.
  • Applicants should rank in the top half of their dental school class.
  • Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in dental school.
  • Letters of recommendation should be strongly supportive of scholastic potential, clinical abilities, personal characteristics and community service missions.
  • An applicant who does not meet the first three guidelines may be considered if their academic record reflects notable, consistent improvement and they are supported by exceptional letters of recommendation.
  • Applicants should submit a 2×2 Photo with their application or email separately to complete the application. 

Applicant submissions are reviewed by the Selection Committee, which consists of the program director and at least two other faculty members. Applicants who are considered for the program must participate in a personal interview that is conducted in October/November.

Interview Structure

All interviews will be held in person in 2025.

2025 interviews will be in October on the following dates:

  • Monday, October 13th – In Person
  • Friday, October 17th – In Person
  • Monday, October 20th – In Person
  • Friday, October 24th – In Person