Meet the Doctors

Dr. French Moore III

DDS - Abingdon, Virginia Dentist - COSMETIC DENTIST

French Moore III, DDS

Dr. Moore was born and raised in Abingdon, Virginia. He earned his B.S. in Biology from James Madison University and his D.D.S. from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in Richmond in 1982.  Upon graduation, he married Laura, the love of his life, and moved to Germany to serve three years in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. In 1985, he returned to Abingdon to join the family practice with his father, Dr. French Moore Jr.

After 41 years of experience, Dr. Moore continues to thrive in serving patients in Abingdon and surrounding areas, and enjoys staying current on the latest dental procedures and technologies.

Credentials:

• Graduate MCV School of Dentistry, D.D.S.
• Graduate James Madison University, B.S. Biology

Memberships:

• ADA-American Dental Association
• Virginia Dental Association
• Southwest Virginia Dental Association
• Academy of General Dentistry
• Christian Dental Society
• Christian Dental Association
• ICOI Membership

Dr. Stuart Lee Laningham

DDS - Abingdon, Virginia Dentist

Stuart Lee Laningham, DDS

Dr. Laningham grew up in Lee County, Virginia on the farm that has been home to six generations of his family. Upon graduation from high school, he attended the College of William & Mary, then transferred to the University of Virginia, where he received his Bachelor’s in Biology and graduated with honors.

In 2015, Dr. Laningham earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the School of Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. It was here that he developed an avid interest and talent in restorative dentistry. While in dental school, Dr. Laningham was an active member in the Cosmetic Dentistry Club and served as a tutor for dental students who required remediation in operative and restorative dentistry.

Credentials:

• Attended College of William & Mary
• Graduate of University of Virginia, BS Biology
• Graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, DDS

Memberships:

• Cosmetic Dentistry Club

Dr. Benjamin Mavelil

DDS - Abingdon, Virginia Dentist

Benjamin Mavelil, DDS

Dr. Mavelil was born and raised in Dubai. He was born to Indian first-generation immigrants and has two brothers. He moved to India after high school to pursue dentistry. He completed 5 years of dental training and went on to complete a residency in Orthodontics. His clinical practice was primarily in Orthodontics for four years before he decided to come to the US to pursue professional licensure here. He graduated with a Doctor in Dental Surgery degree in May 2021 from Virginia Commonwealth University. Focused on evidence-based patient centric dental care, he wants to help restore and maintain patients’ oral health using his education and experience.

He is currently learning and adopting the latest natural alternatives to cosmetic facial care such as microneedling with PRF.

An energetic individual , he's committed to being a part of the Abingdon Smiles dental family and is excited at the prospect of offering natural alternatives for facial rejuvenation.

Credentials:

• Meenakshi Ammal Dental College – Bachelor of Dental Surgery
• Bharati Vidyapeeth University – Master of Dental Surgery (Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics)
• Virginia Commonwealth University – Doctor of Dental Surgery

Dr. Matthew Knudsen

DDS - Abingdon, Virginia Dentist

Matthew Knudsen, DDS

Dr. Knudsen was born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on the shores of Lake Michigan. After graduating from Escanaba Senior High, he attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to study Cellular Biology with the ultimate goal of going on to dental school. During his undergraduate studies, he worked in a research lab studying bone regeneration in cancer patients, as well as working in the Oral Pathology department to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer patients.

Dr. Knudsen went on to study dentistry at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, graduating in 2024 where he spent three months of his final year working in Federally Qualified Health Centers with underserved populations across the state. He was active as a member of the American Student Dental Association, a student consultant for the Michigan Dental Association Committee on Peer Review, as well as with the Delta Sigma Delta dental fraternity. Dr. Knudsen strives to provide the best care possible for his patients and prides himself in staying up to date with the cutting edge of dental research along with the rest of the team at Abingdon Smiles.

When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Knudsen enjoys cheering on the Michigan Wolverines in Football, Hockey and Basketball, as well as spending time outdoors hiking and exploring the lakes and mountains of Southwest Virginia.

Credentials:

• University of Michigan in Ann Arbor
• University of Michigan School of Dentistry