New CDM clinic opens at the Ryan White Wellness Center

Alumni Affairs
February 23, 2022
People outside the new Ryan White Dental Clinic.

As you may have heard, we assisted in the opening of the new Ryan White Clinic in cooperation with Roper St. Francis Healthcare in West Ashley! We are very excited to see the success stories that will come out of this clinic, just as there have been from our current clinics.

A great deal of hard work was put into this opening to ensure we start off on the right foot. So many hands have been involved in this, but we want to specifically thank Ms. Frankie Wilhoit and Ms. Vickie Chapman. They both have been instrumental in the start-up process. Each day, they dedicated many hours and efforts to ensure that our partnership and opening of the full facility went off without a hitch. These two individuals have been instrumental in the success that we have seen thus far.

The Ryan White Dental Clinic finally opened its doors on Nov. 1! At first, we saw only hygiene patients, but students began doing restorative work the week of Nov. 22. Services will continue to expand over time. We are grateful to be able to expand the number of opportunities we are providing our students, while also expanding ease of access to quality dental care across our Charleston community.

You may be asking yourself, which of our outstanding CDM colleagues are going to be taking their talents over to the West Ashley area? As of right now, we have one faculty attending, Dr. Leslie McGarity, one dental hygienist, Rebecca Wooters, and one dental assistant, Rachel Prindle. Your next question may be, what days during the week will this clinic be up and running? For our hygiene patients, to start, they will be seen Monday through Thursday, with extended hours on Thursday until 7 p.m. Students will be seeing their patients mainly on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Our new Ryan White patients will receive preventative care and basic restorative dentistry in this clinic. If a diagnosis requires more complex work, such as dentures, crowns or bridges, they will be referred to either our student or resident clinics on our main campus.

Thank you to all individuals that have provided a helping hand to get this new clinic off of the ground. We are excited to spread our James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine talents across the Charleston area.

To learn more, be sure to visit the MUSC Catalyst to read about the amazing steps the Ryan White Clinic is taking with the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at its side.