Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine, founded in 1967, is South Carolina's only dental school and the state's sole dental workforce training institution. Located at the MUSC campus in Charleston, the College of Dental Medicine benefits from integration with MUSC's full academic health system — including medical, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health programs — providing distinctive interprofessional education. MUSC Dental has a strong mission to train dentists for South Carolina, including its rural and underserved communities.
What makes it different
Applications via ADEA AADSAS. MUSC Dental is the only dental school in South Carolina, bearing a distinctive responsibility for the state's dental workforce. Its integration with MUSC's full academic health system — one of the largest in the Southeast — provides exceptional interprofessional clinical training. Rural South Carolina dental rotations expose students to underserved practice environments.
Course & teaching
Integrated curriculum. 4-year DMD curriculum integrating biomedical sciences with early clinical exposure. Patient care begins in Year 2 at MUSC's dental clinic. Years 3–4 include comprehensive patient management and elective specialty rotations. Interprofessional education with MUSC's medical, nursing, and pharmacy students is embedded throughout the curriculum.
Research strengths
Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine (DMD) has notable research strength in Oral biology, Dental public health, Craniofacial development, Oral oncology, Community oral health.
Interview
Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine (DMD) interviews via Traditional one-on-one faculty interview. MUSC College of Dental Medicine conducts traditional one-on-one faculty interviews at its Charleston, South Carolina campus, typically October through February. Interview days include faculty sessions of 30–45 minutes assessing motivation for dentistry, oral-systemic health understanding, ADA ethics, and commitment to serving South Carolina communities. Candidates participate in a clinic and simulation laboratory tour and interact with current DMD students. MUSC values interprofessional education given its co-location with the MUSC Medical University campus. Strong South Carolina preference applies as a public institution. Post-interview rolling decisions are typically issued within 4–8 weeks.
Intake
Approximately 65–75 students per year.
At a glance
Founded in 1967, based in Charleston, SC. Programmes offered: General Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthodontics, Periodontics, Pediatric Dentistry.
