Our Team

After graduating from the University of Pretoria’s School of Dentistry in 2008, Dr. Leana Lundt practiced dentistry in South Africa for three years before relocating to Vancouver in 2011. As a general practitioner of family dentistry, she practices all areas of dentistry, with a particular interest in the oral development and care of children and teens.

Leana has always been passionate about dentistry and can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to become dentist. In fact, the time spent wearing braces as a child played a big role in her decision to join the profession.

Going back and forth between appointments gave her unique exposure to dental office processes and, while other kids couldn’t wait to get their braces off, Leana found herself drawn to a profession that would someday allow her to transform patients’ lives by restoring their oral health and improving their smiles.

Community activism is a central part of the JVR Dental ethos and Leana is dedicated to giving back to the Langley community through initiatives like community education programmes, toys drives, care packages for homeless shelters, and the Ride to Conquer Cancer. As part of its efforts to serve and support the local community, a portion of all new JVR Dental patient exams are donated to oral cancer research.

Leana is proud of the team at JVR Dental and their commitment to delivering personalized, quality care. “We’re all extremely hands on” she says, “and make it a point to get to know our patients on a personal level. And because Langley has a bit of a small town feel to it, personal relationships here are nurtured and valued.”

Outdoorsy and extremely active, one of Leana’s primary goals this year is to ride to conquer cancer. On weekends, you can usually find her sleeping in (as everyone in the office knows, she’s not a morning person) or – once she’s had her morning coffee – enjoying the great outdoors biking, skiing, or running one of Langley’s spectacular trails.

JVR Dental is excited to welcome our newest associate, Dr. Denise Lu, to the practice.  Denise received her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the University of Sydney, Australia in 2015. While her training in family dentistry allows her to treat a variety of patient needs, including fillings, root canals, crowns, and bridges, she has a special interest in orthodontics and enjoys helping children and adults achieve beautiful smiles through discreet, clear aligners like Invisalign.

Born in Taiwan, Denise moved to Canada with her family when she was 12 years old. Even in primary school, she was aware of the immense joy she felt in helping others and dreamed of one day caring for her own patients as a dentist. Denise graduated from high school in Surrey, BC, then went on to major in Biology and minor in Commerce at the University of British Columbia (UBC). From there, she took the opportunity to travel to Australia to pursue her childhood dream of becoming a dentist.

During her final year of dental school in Australia, Denise volunteered to travel to Cambodia to help provide much needed dental and dental hygiene treatments to otherwise underserved children. It was during this period that she experienced, first-hand, the massive difference access to dental care can have on children’s health and well-being, and the lasting impact patient education can have on people’s lives.

In addition to patient education, Denise sees relationship-building as a rewarding part of her work, and one that is essential to delivering quality care to her patients. “I like helping people improve their oral health”, she notes, “To me, having a beautiful smile brightens people’s day, and being able to give them that beautiful, healthy smile is very satisfying. I enjoy building personal relationships with my patients. I value the trust they place in me and work hard to help them maintain a mouthful of healthy teeth and gums!”

“I like helping people improve their oral health. Having a beautiful smile brightens people’s day, and being able to give them that beautiful, healthy smile is very satisfying. I enjoy building personal relationships with my patients. I value the trust they place in me and work hard to help them maintain a mouthful of healthy teeth and gums!”

Fostering stronger relationships with patients helps them feel confident and comfortable, even while sitting in the dental chair, which for many, can be a scary experience. In fact, because she finds going to the dentist a bit unsettling herself, Denise is extra aware of, and sensitive to, signs of anxiety and dental phobia. “This is why I try to be extra gentle and understanding with my patients,” she explains, “because I’ve also sat in the chair, and I know that feeling!” 

Away from the office, Denise enjoys hiking and bike riding in the summer, and snowboarding in the winter. On weekends, she loves exploring the surrounding hiking trails with her husband and “fur-baby” Kobe. Having recently returned to BC to be closer to her parents, Denise hopes to purchase a new home and settle in within the year.

Denise has completed a two-year orthodontic training program with Progressive Orthodontics and is a member of the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and the British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA).

Dr. Klassen has lived, studied, and worked coast-to-coast in Canada. He completed an undergraduate degree in Biology / Microbiology at the University of Victoria before driving clear across the country to study dentistry at Dalhousie University in Halifax. 

During dental school, his fondest memories include connecting with Mi’kmaq First Nations’ culture, affiliating with the Global Health Office, contributing to the Faculty of Dentistry’s Alumni Anchor magazine as a writer and editor, launching an interprofessional student-led health initiative (HOPES Health Centre), and providing volunteer dental services to marginalized individuals locally and in rural Guatemala.

As a new dentist, he wanted to work on the front lines in an area where people have challenges accessing health care, so he set out as a travelling dentist in remote and rural Newfoundland and Labrador. Over 3 years, he rotated through dental clinics in 8 communities – most of which were attached to small health centres, and some were even fly-in only. 

He views dentistry through a public health lens and is a strong advocate for universal health care coverage of “medically necessary” dental care. Since dentistry remains separated from medicine, Dr. Klassen is set on reconnecting the mouth to the rest of the body through professional practice, policy and education. 

Inspired by the Evolution of Dental Medicine Summit in 2019 and being diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea shortly before, he set out to find a better way to manage his sleep-breathing disorder without a CPAP machine. 

This journey introduced him to James Nestor’s book “Breath” and one-on-one training with Dr. Ted Belfor on face and airway development. This ultimately led him to the specialized arena of treating craniofacial pain and sleep-disordered breathing under the guidance of Dr. Steve Olmos of TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centres International, who implements a holistic approach that targets the root cause of these issues. 

Dr. Klassen is pleased to offer comprehensive evaluations and non-surgical treatments for craniofacial pain & sleep-breathing disorders as part of the wonderful team at JVR Dental.

Outside of helping others breathe, sleep, heal and live better, Dr. Klassen loves spending time in nature, particularly the ocean, beachcombing, surfing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, camping, reading, listening to good vibrations, eating fabulous food, and, more recently, breathing through his nose.

MEMBERSHIPS

• British Columbia Dental Association
• Canadian Dental Association
• Canadian Association of Public Health Dentistry
• Canadian Academy of Clinical Sleep Disorders Disciplines
• American Academy of Craniofacial Pain
• American Academy of Physiological Medicine & Dentistry
• American Academy of Oral Systemic Health
• International Association for Orthodontics
• American Laser Study Club

Registered Dental Hygienist – Jayne

“My hygienist growing up made going to the dentist a great experience. She always made everything dental sound super fun! I would love to have the same impact on one of my patients.”

Jayne started her dental journey as a CDA, where she received her certificate from the University of the Fraser Valley. After confirming that she was in the right career path, she decided to continue her education by going to the Vancouver College of Dental Hygiene to get her RDH diploma. Furthermore, Jayne is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Health Science at Thompson Rivers University, in the hopes to one day be a dental hygiene instructor.

Jayne’s interest in the dental field began at an early age. It was actually her childhood dental hygienist who inspired her to join the dental field! “My hygienist is the main reason why I became a hygienist. She always took the time to explain everything to me, and made going to the dentist a great experience.” Jayne’s favourite part of her job is getting to see the before and after results. Whether it be removing staining, or the progress of gum health after laser, there is always something new and exciting to learn.

You will often hear Jayne chatting through her appointments, as she loves getting to know her patients so the visit feels like a trip to see your friends, rather than a typical trip to the dentist.

In her off time, Jayne loves spending quality time with her nephews or hiking one of BC’s beautiful mountains with friends.

Although singing isn’t one of Jayne’ strongest talents, that won’t stop her! There is never a moment when she won’t try to sing along to a Bruno Mars song. If she could pick any talent, it would be to actually sing on-key to music!

Registered Dental Hygienist – Jessica

“As a dental hygienist, you get to play a key role in improving people’s health every single day!”

In addition to her RDH Certification, Jessica has experience with local anesthesia and Invisalign. Her interest in dentistry was encouraged by her father who saw the importance of teaching good oral hygiene to his kids. Having a father who was vigilant about caring for his children’s teeth played no small part in her decision to join the profession.

Respectful and dependable, Jessica is a true team player with a natural talent for putting nervous patients at ease with her gentle touch. With Jessica’s 10 years of experience as a dental hygienist, she has strong communication skills that allow her to effectively present treatment plans and recommendations to patients without pressuring them or making them feel self-conscious about their teeth.

In her off time, Jessica enjoys pursuing self-improvement goals and continuing education. She loves socializing and, on weekends, can often be found catching up with friends over brunch, or with hanging out with her husband and adorable dog Nash.

Few people realize this, but Jessica is actually a twin! If there’s one talent she wishes she could have – it would be to play a musical instrument.

Certified Dental Assistant – Claire

“One of the most rewarding aspects of working in dentistry is getting to work with a variety of people each day. I’m a very social person and I love helping patients feel comfortable and relaxed!”

Claire loves working alongside the dentists and hygienists at JVR Dental. As a working mom, her day begins quite early. After an early morning workout at the gym, she rushes home to get the kids ready for school and then heads to the office to meet the day head on.

The routine of a dental assistant generally involves prepping treatment rooms, assisting with procedures and helping patients with treatment-related questions. But for Claire, one of the most satisfying aspects of the job is getting to interact with a variety of personalities each day. Social and highly communicative, she excels at helping patients feel comfortable throughout their appointment.

In her off time, Claire likes to keep things social by relaxing with friends and family whenever she can. Given her hectic work and parenting schedule, she feels her life can best be summed up by the movie “This is 40” and, in fact, plans to slow things down a bit this year to enjoy more quality time with her kids.

It’s a little-known fact that, while she’s not quite a concert pianist, Claire has been known to hammer out a tune or two on the piano. Not only has she mastered “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” but she’s completely self-taught!

Registered Dental Hygienist- Taylor

“Dental hygiene seemed like the best fit,” Taylor recounts playfully, “especially because I love to talk – and I can’t be interrupted when I have my hands in a patient’s mouth”. 

Taylor received her Dental Hygiene Diploma from Vancouver Community College, where she graduated with honours. Her passion for dentistry, which was sparked at an early age, was solidified after completing a third-grade project on dental health. “Dental hygiene seemed like the best fit for me,” Taylor recounts playfully, “especially because I love to talk – and I can’t be interrupted when I have my hands in a patient’s mouth”. 

As a new mom returning to work after a year-long maternity leave, Taylor is skilled at juggling motherhood and a full-time career. Dentistry is her passion, and she’s thrilled to be interacting with patients again and helping them to care for their oral health. 

In addition to her technical skills, Taylor’s exceptional people skills and playful sense of humour help her establish a genuine rapport with our patients. Extremely personable, compassionate and kind, patients naturally gravitate towards her as someone they can talk to and trust.

Over the next year, Taylor hopes to continue making the transition from stay-at-home-mom to full-time dental professional. The ability to manage time and stay organized is essential for any hygienist, but for a new working mom, multi-tasking, improvising and maintaining a work/life balance is crucial. 

To rejuvenate and decompress at the end of a busy day, Taylor loves spending quality time with her daughter and hanging out with her husband and his large Italian family. As an outdoors person, she finds hiking with her two dogs to be another great way to unwind.

A little known fact about Taylor is that she’s lived in 5 of the 10 provinces and spent a great deal of time living in small, rural Canadian towns. Born and raised a country girl, she loves country music and has owned several horses and even a pet pig! While she’d love to improve her singing, one skill she doesn’t have to work on is her ability to crochet. Taylor has a hidden talent for crocheting and – after a year at home with her baby daughter – can boast gorgeous baby blankets galore!

Certified Dental Assistant – Samantha

“I love that this job allows me to connect with people. I love celebrating the little victories with my patients, whether its learning something new or getting through anxious moments. I see people in vulnerable positions, and I value that trust greatly.”

Hailing from the westernmost prairie province of Alberta, Samantha is the newest CDA to join the JVR Dental team. Having received her CDA Diploma from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, she is passionate about connecting with people. No matter how busy the day gets, she makes it a point to develop meaningful patient connections. “I love that this job allows me to connect with people. I love celebrating the little victories with my patients, whether its learning something new or getting through anxious moments. I see people in vulnerable positions, and I value that trust greatly.”

Workdays in the clinic are typically busy and require a range of multitasking skills – all of which come naturally to Samantha. Organized and driven, she thrives on the fast-paced nature of clinic life and approaches all tasks, from “suctioning and wiping, to the odd hand holding, and dental dams for days”, with vigor and professionalism. Educating patients about their oral health is a vital part of her role, and her lively personality and ability to connect with patients is a huge asset to the team. 

Samantha truly enjoys making a positive difference in people’s lives and empowering others to realize their full potential. On weekends, you can often find her “lifting heavy things up and down, sometimes side to side”, as she works towards her goal of becoming personal trainer this year. In addition to her full-time career, she believes helping people reach their health and fitness goals would be extremely rewarding, as both roles involve sharing knowledge that can change people’s lives. We welcome Samantha’s drive and passion for helping others and are thrilled to have her an integral member of the JVR Dental team.

Dental Receptionist – Jennifer

“It’s a busy job, and you have to manage your time well and know how to juggle competing priorities. At the end of the day, it’s about making sure our patients have the best experience possible.”

With her cheerful personality and professional demeanour, Dental Receptionist Jennifer Freda is the ideal first point of contact for our JVR patients. Having started out as Chairside Dental Assistant in 1992, she went on to earn her Dental Office Receptionist certificate from University of the Fraser Valley (UVF) in 1994.

Compassionate and detail-oriented, Jennifer excels at building relationships and supporting the business in its day-to-day operations. Her friendly smile has a positive impact on everyone around her, and she makes it a point to ensure patients feel at ease and always leave with a positive impression.

From appointment scheduling to insurance billing, Jennifer is laser focussed on supporting the team and ensuring patients receive the highest quality dental care. “It’s a busy job,” she says, “and you have to manage your time well and know how to juggle competing priorities. At the end of the day, it’s about making sure our patients have the best experience possible.”

In her downtime, Jennifer enjoys gardening and spending time with her family and four dogs. She’s a devoted soccer parent who can be found, most weekends, enthusiastically cheering her son and his teammates on from the sidelines!

Dental Receptionist – Charity

“The front desk is an extremely busy place, with tons of activities and responsibilities. No matter how busy I am, though, I genuinely enjoy getting to know our patients and their families. I believe in creating an enjoyable, stress-free environment, where patients feel well-cared for and appreciated”.

We’re pleased to welcome Charity Cripps as the newest member of the JVR Dental team. Charity received her Dental Receptionist Certificate through continuing education, and has over 9 years’ experience as a dental office receptionist.

Passionate about helping others, Charity was attracted to dental reception because it allows for extensive patient interaction. Drawing on her exceptional organizational and administrative skills, she supports our patients on a number of levels, including assisting with insurance processing, scheduling appointments, answering patients’ questions and ensuring they feel comfortable and well-cared for.  

Energetic, fun and creative, Charity is known for her witty sense of humour and uncanny ability to put even the most apprehensive dental patients at ease.  Her warm and humorous approach to patient interaction is an important part of her skill set, and is demonstrated by how much she enjoys conversing with patients while they wait. “The front desk is an extremely busy place,” she says, “with tons of activities and responsibilities. No matter how busy I am, though, I genuinely enjoy getting to know our patients and their families. I believe in creating an enjoyable, stress-free environment, where patients feel well-cared for and appreciated”.

On weekends, Charity usually spends time outdoors, enjoying nature with her family and dog. Whether it’s going for sushi with her daughter, dancing, boating, or helping her partner drag race, you can be sure she brings a ton of positive energy and excitement to the activity. She loves embracing new adventures, and is currently planning a trip to Mexico, where she hopes to spend quality time with her family exploring Mexico’s unique culture and history.

Office Manager – Mauritz

“Being involved in hiring, training and management of staff has been immensely rewarding. I like keeping everyone engaged and motivated, and helping to lead the team toward a common goal.”

Mauritz Lundt, office manager at JVR Dental, didn’t follow a typical career path to get to his current role. Having worked many years as a process engineer for engineering firms in Canada and abroad, he was looking for a career change and an opportunity to transition into an industry that was uniquely tailored to his skills, talents and interests.

Given his engineering background, Mauritz knew an important part of his skill set involved optimizing processes, reducing costs, and maximizing profitability. When JVR Dental needed an office manager due to shifting staffing needs, he saw the opportunity to use his existing skills and abilities to improve efficiencies and find new opportunities to innovate and grow the business.

After joining the team, Mauritz quickly discovered there is no such thing as a “typical day” for an office manager. It is a unique and demanding position that requires having your hands in virtually every aspect of the business. The ability to adapt and improvise is critical, particularly when it comes to managing office finances and finding ways to keep costs down. Mauritz enjoys this part of the job immensely and has found that many of the skills he developed in engineering are perfectly suited to this new role.

While his engineering training gave him the knowledge and skills to run business operations, Mauritz was pleasantly surprised to discover just how much he also enjoyed working directly with the team. “Being involved in hiring, training and management of staff has been immensely rewarding”, he says, “I like keeping everyone engaged and motivated, and helping to lead the team toward a common goal”.

Naturally positive with a warm demeanor, Mauritz uses his leadership skills and sense of humour to create a culture of engagement and an environment where staff members want to spend their time. When not at work, he loves relaxing with his lovely wife and daughters. He is an avid outdoors person who, along with his wife Leana, likes to make a difference in the community by participating in fundraisers such as the BC Cancer Foundation’s Ride to Conquer Cancer. Mauritz has always enjoyed pushing his limits physically. This year, he hopes to complete at least one Olympic distance triathlon.

Dental Receptionist – Marley

“As a childcare worker, I had to be accessible and friendly while remaining flexible enough to anticipate the needs and requests of children and parents. While many of these skills are transferrable to my current position, I love the communication aspect of both jobs most – although I really look forward to interacting with adults this time!”.

Positive, friendly, and always excited to learn, Marley, the newest member of our front desk team, loves interacting with patients and working closely with team members. Outgoing and playful, she enjoys greeting patients with a warm smile when they arrive, making sure they feel relaxed and comfortable, addressing their questions, and helping them check out after appointments. 

Marley’s fun and attentive personality, combined with 18+ years’ experience running a childcare business, makes her the ideal candidate to provide quality administrative care to our patients. “As a childcare worker, I had to be accessible and friendly while being flexible enough to anticipate the needs and requests of children and parents. While many of these skills are transferrable to my current position, I love the communication aspect of both jobs most – although I really look forward to interacting with adults this time!”.

In addition to being compassionate and empathetic, Marley is adept at staying organized and managing hectic schedules. Her exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail make her an excellent office administrator and a valuable addition to our team.

Outside work, Marley loves socializing with friends and looks forward to spending time with her adult children (ages 17, 18, and 23) and two rescue dogs. This year, she hopes to dedicate more time to developing new skills and finding new hobbies. She enjoys music – usually opting for anything upbeat her Google Home decides to play for her – and secretly wishes for better dancing skills!