Empowering Smiles: Dental Care for All Ages at MUSC’s Special Needs Program

For families navigating the daily challenges of living with disabilities, finding a dentist shouldn’t add to the stress. Fortunately, there’s hope on the horizon!

Enter the vision of a dedicated dentist and researcher who, over 25 years ago, recognized the struggles faced by families seeking dental care for their loved ones with disabilities. His mission was clear: to open doors, eliminate barriers, and create a supportive network for these families.

He kicked off an annual continuing education conference aimed at inspiring dentists to step up and serve this underserved community. This event has since become a bustling hub for professionals to exchange knowledge, share innovative practices, and forge invaluable connections. Additionally, he curated a comprehensive directory of dentists in South Carolina willing to treat special needs patients, ensuring families have access to quality care.

Fast-forward to 2015, when the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine opened its doors on Bee Street. Our visionary leader insisted on establishing a special needs clinic right on the first floor, making dental care more accessible than ever.

Today, the MUSC Pamela Kaminski Clinic for Adolescents and Adults with Special Health Care Needs and The Carlos F. Salinas Dental Program are thriving, marking a significant milestone with their 25th anniversary this October. These initiatives not only provide essential preventive and routine dental care but also empower dental students with hands-on experience in special needs dentistry.

“At the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, we’re committed to shaping compassionate leaders and exceptional oral health providers. Our team at the Pamela Kaminski Clinic embodies this mission, passionately dedicating themselves to the families we serve,” shared Sarandeep Huja, D.D.S., Ph.D., the dean of the College of Dental Medicine.

The dean further elaborated that the faculty’s top priority is to cultivate the next generation of dental professionals dedicated to treating patients with special healthcare needs with compassion, accessibility, and clinical excellence. “Alongside our academic programs, we are proud to promote the Salinas Dental Program, which focuses on enhancing the skills and advocacy necessary to dramatically improve the oral health of our patients and their families,” he added.

Under the guidance of Michelle E. Ziegler, D.D.S., the college’s director of Special Care Dentistry, and the generous volunteer Isabelle Driggers, D.M.D., the clinic operates two days a week, offering students and residents invaluable hands-on training.

“We primarily focus on preventive care and establishing regular exam schedules but also perform fillings and collaborate with specialists for more complex procedures like extractions and root canals,” Ziegler explained.

While the clinic has made considerable strides in filling a critical healthcare gap, the demand for dental care is still high. As Ziegler pointed out, “Many dentists simply aren’t equipped to treat patients with disabilities. It can be a daunting task for families to find providers who can accommodate their needs, accept Medicaid, and feel comfortable treating special needs patients.”

Rest assured, the MUSC special needs dental clinic accepts Medicaid and features a state-of-the-art treatment room funded by Delta Dental, equipped with a movable dental chair that allows patients in wheelchairs or on stretchers to receive comfortable treatment without unnecessary transfers.

For families like Pam Loudon from Mount Pleasant, whose 21-year-old daughter PJ has been a patient for seven years, these services are nothing short of a lifeline. “Finding care as a young adult is incredibly challenging. The clinic staff is so nurturing and patient, and the ability to stay in their wheelchair makes dental visits a whole lot easier for our kids,” she shared.

But it’s not just the patients who benefit. Dental students and residents are also learning and growing through their experiences in the clinic. “Once they become familiar with the environment, working with our patients truly opens their hearts and minds, equipping them for their future careers,” noted Ziegler.

Maria Cordova-Salinas, D.M.D., who passionately collaborated with her late husband to enhance access to dental care for individuals with disabilities, expressed pride in the continued efforts of the College of Dental Medicine. “Carlos understood the unique challenges families faced, and he committed himself to breaking down barriers to dental care. It’s heartening to see the progress made in his honor,” she remarked.

And that directory he established? Thanks to a grant from The Duke Endowment, it’s now available online, providing patients, families, and healthcare providers with crucial information through the Special Adult Network of Dentists.