An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you're connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and sent securely.

COVID-19 vaccines: All Veterans, spouses and caregivers can get a COVID-19 vaccine at by appointment or walk-in.  Visit our vaccine information page

The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana offers a year-long General Practice Residency Program accepting four residents from July 1st of each year and ending the last working day of June the following year. The residency has been continuously active since 1963 and is fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. As part of the nation’s largest health care provider, we are proud to provide exceptional dental care to our nation’s Veterans.

The residency program strives to provide residents who are desirous of furthering their academic and clinical experience in dentistry with additional formal study and chairside practice that will prepare the candidate for the demands of the practice of general dentistry. The VA does not provide clinical experience in pediatrics or orthodontics.  The program provides flexibility encouraging residents to pursue personal goals as well as program goals. 

Advantages of VA General Practice Residency

The General Practice Residency is designed to provide clinical, didactic and hospital experience at the postdoctoral level. It prepares residents to manage total oral health by providing instructions and experience in the delivery of care to a wide range of ambulatory and hospitalized patients. The overall goals of the program are:

Department of Veterans Affairs is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable employment discrimination laws, including those that prohibit discrimination own basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religious belief, disability, sexual orientation and/or any other basis protected by Federal Fair Employment practice laws.

The clinic is also staffed by consulting general dentists who bring different skillsets and perspectives from their private practice experience.

Q:  Do residents place implants? 

A:  Yes, though it is not a requirement. If you choose to place implants, you will work with the VA Oral Surgeon or the Periodontal Chief Resident.

Q:  Do residents do their own scheduling of patients? 

A:  No. The clinic has scheduling personnel who will work with you to create your schedule.  

Q:  Do residents work with a dental assistant? 

A:  Residents work with either a certified dental assistant or an expanded functions dental assistant.  It is rare that a resident works without an assistant.

Q:  How much lab work do residents do?

A:  Most lab work is completed by our in-house lab technician or our contracting private dental labs.  The resident works closely with both labs.

Q:  Are residents allowed to moonlight? 

A:  If a resident desires to engage in moonlighting, the following guidelines must be followed.  Moonlighting must never interfere with regular resident responsibilities.  Moonlighting residents are expected to be present (and appropriately rested) In their educational setting during all prescribed hours. Moonlighting must never occur without advanced written permission of a resident’s program director.

Q:  How often do residents take call? 

A:  Residents take VA Emergency call once every 8 weeks. 

Q:  What is your patient demographic like?

A:  Our patients are US veterans, many who are medically compromised.  The majority are men.  The age range spans from 20 to 85+.

Q:  What are your clinic hours?

A:  Official clinic hours are Monday-Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm.  Residents may be required to remain outside of clinic hours if needed.  Resident hours vary when completing off-site rotations.

Q:  Do patient finances create a limitation to the treatment residents can perform? 

A:  VA patients receive dental treatment at no cost to them.  Treatment plans are based on patient need and eligibility.

Q:  Will residents be certified in IV Sedation?

A:  The program offers Indiana University School of Dentistry ‘s course Light Parenteral Conscious Sedation (course C951).  The program does not grant certificates for IV Sedation.

VETERAN HEALTH INDIANA Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1481 West 10th Street Indianapolis, IN 46202

www.instagram.com/indianapolis.vamc

Indianapolis is the twelfth largest city in the United States, and is one of our country's most livable big cities. Indianapolis boasts a rich cultural heritage and growing metropolis, while providing small Midwestern comfort. Indianapolis is praised for its pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure in the downtown area. Areas of interest include strolling along Canal Walk or biking on the Indianapolis Cultural Trail.

Indianapolis is known as the racing capital of the world. Each year the city hosts the Indy 500, one of the largest races in the world  in addition to NASCAR and MotoGP races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indianapolis is home to a myriad of professional sports teams including the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, Indianapolis Indians, Butler Bulldogs Basketball at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indy Fuel, Indiana Ice, and Indy Eleven.

Indianapolis is also a hub of culture. Just make a stop along Monument Circle and choose the attraction of your choice in the metro area including Massachusetts Avenue or Broad Ripple Avenue. We invite you to come experience Indianapolis and its Hoosier hospitality, which will ultimately make this city your choice for residency.  

Holcomb Gardens at Butler University

Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA)

Indy Cultural Trail and Canal Walk

Popular Places to Eat or Drink

Mama Carolla's Italian ($$)

For a list of upcoming events including festivals and concerts, go to Visit Indy** to learn more!

** This link is for informative purposes only, and does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not warrant or guarantee the products, services, or information provided on external web sites.

DENTAL RESIDENCY POINTS OF CONTACT

Dr. Iris Corina McNicholl GPR Program Director Iris.McNicholl@va.gov

Dr. Jenna Voegele Assistant GPR Program Director Jenna.Voegele1@va.gov

Valorie Taylor, EFDA GPR Program Scheduler Valorie.Taylor@va.gov