Dental Medicine's first black male graduate remembered

Charleston resident and dental advocate George C. McTeer Sr., DMD, a 1974 alumnus of the College of Dental Medicine and first African-American dentist to graduate from MUSC, died Dec. 27. He was 78.

Patricia L. Blanton, DDS, Ph.D., interim dean of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, commented on the legacy left by Dr. McTeer to the dental school and MUSC. “Although I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Dr. McTeer, I have learned about the tremendous contributions he made as a great ambassador for dentistry and MUSC in the community. His efforts led to helping many minority dental students matriculate successfully through our dental program and become successful practitioners. Dr. McTeer was a role model and influenced many with his positivity and professional attitude.”

Prior to attending MUSC, Dr. McTeer was a math and science teacher who taught at several Lowcountry high schools and adult education programs before switching to dentistry as a career. He ran a general dentistry practice on the Charleston peninsula and prided himself on being an educator for good oral health among his patients and advocate for access of care, especially for underserved populations.

MUSC alumna Gwendolyn Brown, DMD, director of diversity for the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, remembers Dr. McTeer as her seventh grade teacher at Rhett Elementary School in downtown Charleston. She recalled how encouraging and supportive he was to his students. Later, he became more of a mentor to Brown as she entered and completed dental school and started her own private practice. “He gave wise counsel and was always supportive,” she said.

Tariq Javed, DMD, vice dean for the college and associate dean for academic and student affairs, also shared thoughts of his colleague and friend. “I knew Dr. McTeer and his family well and was proud of his contributions as a role model to students who chose to pursue dentistry. He was accessible to any student who wanted to shadow with him at his practice.”

The scholarship was first established by faculty and the dental school’s Office of Diversity in 2002 to provide support to minority students studying dental medicine at MUSC. In 2011, the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine helped permanently endow the Dr. George C. McTeer Sr. Scholarship, which honors Dr. McTeer’s many valuable contributions to MUSC.

Stephanie Oberempt, director of development and alumni relations for the college, worked closely with Dr. McTeer and dental faculty and staff in coordinating the scholarship. “I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. McTeer. He was a groundbreaking icon to us and will be greatly missed by the dental faculty, staff and College of Dental Medicine alumni. My deepest sympathies go to his family,” she said. 

Dr. McTeers’ peers are involved in the Palmetto Medical Dental Pharmaceutical Association were also instrumental in establishing the scholarship. The group represents African–American health professionals across the state. Dr. McTeer believed students should have the ability to access resources like scholarships and financial aid in their pursuit dentistry.

Dr. McTeer is survived by his wife Norma J.E. McTeer; daughters Sonja N. McTeer and Dr. Arlene McTeer; and son George McTeer Jr.