VCU School of Dentistry has named Jeff Johnson, D.M.D., M.P.H., as associate dean for clinical education, effective January 1, 2025.

Johnson first joined VCU School of Dentistry in July 2023 as chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Before joining VCU, he served as chair of the Department of Pediatrics and director of the Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry at LSU Health-New Orleans School of Dentistry.

“Dr. Johnson brings an exceptional commitment to fostering excellence in clinical training and a  deep commitment to student success to the role of associate dean for clinical education,” said Lyndon Cooper, D.D.S., Ph.D., dean of VCU School of Dentistry. “Dr. Johnson has been an exceptional leader for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and I am confident that his leadership will further strengthen our commitment to academic and clinical excellence and add valuable expertise to our leadership team.”

“I am very grateful that Dr. Cooper and the selection committee had faith in me and my potential to trust me with such a pivotal role in the school,” said Johnson. “This was a great opportunity to have a larger impact on what we do here at the School of Dentistry and how we do it. My hope is that working collaboratively with all of the stakeholders, we can do some really exciting things.

As associate dean for clinical education, Johnson will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the clinical education program within the School of Dentistry, ensuring the highest standards of clinical education and training for dental students, promoting excellence in clinical practice and fostering a student-centered, patient-facing learning environment. 

He will work collaboratively with school leadership as well as faculty and staff, to promote continuous improvement in clinical education. 

Johnson said he is excited about the impact he can have in this role, both on students, and  staff, faculty and patients.

“ Patient care and learner experience are like train tracks. As long as they're both running parallel, then the train works wonderfully. I think that this position really allows me to look at those two groups especially well and make sure that we're taking care of our students and learners and that we're taking care of our patients,” said Johnson.

“ We have an amazingly talented group of faculty and staff. And the thought of working every day with those groups of people to ensure that we take care of our learners and our patients is just an amazing opportunity and one that I am very grateful to have been given.” 

While he has a wealth of academic experience, Johnson also brings acumen from the private sector having served as president and CEO of Danville Pediatric Dentistry in Danville, KY, from 2006-2020. Prior to that, Johnson held several roles at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, including director of the Advanced Education Program in Pediatric Dentistry and director of resident research, and he taught a number of courses for pre-and post-doctoral students.

Johnson is a UK graduate, where he received his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (2001), Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry (2003) and Master of Public Health (2005). 

Johnson is succeeding Rick Archer, D.D.S., M.S., who is retiring from his role of senior associate dean for clinical affairs, effective December 31, 2024.

Archer's retirement comes after more than 30 years at VCU. He served in several roles including adjunct professor, predoctoral endodontics director, interim chair of the Department of Endodontics and most recently senior associate dean for clinical affairs.

Under Archer’s leadership, VCU School of Dentistry’s clinical training is recognized as one of the best in the country with a 95% clinical board exams pass rate and a 90% match rate for students who apply to advanced education and residency programs.

Archer will remain with the School of Dentistry to assist in this leadership transition, continuing his teaching role, and serving with others in the planning of the new School of Dentistry Building.

“ We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge Dr. Archer's success in this role. His focus on clinical excellence is really why we have built a national reputation from a clinical dentistry standpoint. I think he really has built a foundation of success that will help me find success in this role,” said Johnson. “I think he serves as a role model to many people here at the school. And my hope is that while we may look at things differently and take things in different directions, we stand firmly on the foundation of success that he helped build.”