Meet our Doctors
Our team of experienced doctors allows Southern Heights Dental Group to provide high-quality, comprehensive dental care to the Faribault community. Get to know our doctors and their areas of interest below.
Dr. John H. Poppenberg
Dr. John Poppenberg was born and raised in Bemidji Minnesota. He graduated from the University of Minnesota, and completed his dental training at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1985. Upon completion of a general practice residency, Dr. Poppenberg joined Southern Heights Dental Group. Dr. Poppenberg enjoys all areas of general dentistry.
In his spare time, Dr. Poppenberg enjoys running, cycling, golfing, reading and most anything that gets him outside. His favorite get away is to the family cabin in Wisconsin. As an avid traveler, he loves to hear travel and cabin stories, and suggestions for fun and interesting places to see.
Dr. Poppenberg is married with two grown children.
Dr. Jeff Forslund
Dr. Jeff Forslund completed his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas. After graduating from the University of Minnesota Dental School, he served four years as a dentist in the Navy. Dr. Forslund has been with Southern Heights Dental Group since 1993 and enjoys all aspects of family / general dentistry and has a special interest in helping people with snoring, sleep apnea, and TMJ problems. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, is a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM), and licensed by the state of Minnesota. Dr. Forslund and his wife Kari are parents of two grown children. When not in the office, Dr. Forslund enjoys running, biking, and traveling with Kari to see their children, or explore new places.
Dr. Brock Lund
Dr. Brock Lund is dedicated to patient care and advancing his skills in dentistry. He has attended hundreds of hours of continuing education in areas such as endodontics, prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Lund loves working with patients who need crowns, bridges, and root canals.
Dr. Lund was born and raised in Albert Lea, Minnesota. He attended the University of St Thomas from 1992 to 1995 majoring in Biology and Chemistry.
After graduating from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1999, Dr. Lund moved to Colorado to advance his training in general dentistry. Upon completion of a general practice residency at the Denver Veterans Affairs Hospital in 2000, he moved back to Minnesota and joined Southern Heights Dental Group.
Dr. Lund and his wife Bridget are parents of two daughters and a son. Dr. Lund’s time out of the office is filled with spending time with his family, downhill skiing, biking, and running.
Licensed by the State of Minnesota.
Member of the American Dental Association,
and the Minnesota Dental Association.
Dr. Daniel V. Johnson
Dr. Daniel Johnson, DDS, MPH, CPH, FICOI
Dr. Daniel Johnson completed his undergraduate education at Bates College in Maine, where he excelled as a student-athlete in cross-country running and skiing. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Minnesota in 2012, where he was honored with both the Outstanding Student Award from the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and a Certificate of Recognition from the American Academy of Orofacial Pain. He went on to graduate at the top of his class from the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) Residency in 2013.
A proud veteran, Dr. Johnson served in the United States Navy for 11 years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) and receiving an honorable discharge in 2020.
Dr. Johnson is passionate about comprehensive, evidence-based dentistry and has advanced expertise in restorative and aesthetic procedures, surgical techniques, and oral medicine. He shares his knowledge as an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.
Committed to lifelong learning, Dr. Johnson completed fellowship training through both New York University and the University of Nevada Las Vegas’s California Implant Institute. He holds Fellowship status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI). In addition, he earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) and is Certified in Public Health (CPH), reflecting his commitment to the intersection of oral health and overall well-being. He is currently pursuing further education in Orofacial Pain and Oral Medicine to deepen his integrative approach to care.
In 2025, Dr. Johnson was honored as one of Minnesota Monthly Magazine’s Top Dentists, a testament to his clinical excellence and professional reputation.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Johnson enjoys time with his family. He is married to Dr. Julie Johnson Rolfes, a Pediatric Neonatologist and Bioethicist at the University of Minnesota. Together, they have three children. An avid outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys hiking, Nordic skiing, and the beauty of the Fall season.
Post-Nominal Titles: DDS, MPH, CPH, FICOI
Professional Memberships:
Academy of General Dentistry
American Association of Public Health Dentistry
International Congress of Oral Implantologists
Academy of Sports Dentistry
American Academy of Oral Medicine
License: Licensed to practice dentistry in the State of Minnesota
Dr. Zachary Atkinson
Dr. Zachary Atkinson is originally from Stewartville, Minnesota. He attended undergraduate at Wartburg college and UW Stout before going to dental school at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Atkinson worked as a solo practitioner in Rice Lake, Wisconsin before joining Southern Heights Dental Group In August of 2020.
In his spare time he enjoys frisbee golfing, fishing, boxing and playing with his dog, Hank.
“I want all our patients to leave with a smile on their face. Not only from the exceptional care we have provided for them, but from the experience they have had with us”.
Dr. Amanda Pillai
Dr. Amanda Pillai was born and raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate degree at Campbell University majoring in Biological Sciences. She went on to obtain her PhD in Molecular Medicine and Translational Sciences at Wake Forest University.
Although scientific research has always been a passion, Dr. Pillai found her true calling to be patient-centric clinical care. Thus she obtained her DMD at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Her husband's work brought them to the Twin Cities and now she is excited to call Minnesota her new home.
Dr. Pillai enjoys bringing a slice of southern hospitality to Southern Heights Dental Group. With a warm heart and gentle hands, she strives to provide exceptional clinical care to each and every patient.
Dr. Abby Malmanger
Dr. Abby Malmanger was born and raised in Faribault, Minnesota. She completed her undergraduate education at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After completing her dental education at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon, she returned to the midwest. Dr. Malmanger enjoys working with patients of all ages and helping them achieve optimum oral health.
She is an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Minnesota Dental Association, and Southern District Dental Society.
In her free time, Dr. Malmanger likes to travel, hike, garden, and spend time with her family, friends, and her dog, Baci.
She is looking forward to meeting you and taking care of your dental needs.
