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CDM honored at dental association annual session 


by Chris West
Public Relations
MUSC’s College of Dental Medicine (CDM) racked up the awards at the South Carolina Dental Association (SCDA) annual session May 4 in Myrtle Beach when two of its doctors and three students were honored.

James Rivers, DMD, and Daniel Sneed, DMD, received the SCDA Meritorious Achievement Award and marks the first time the award has ever been awarded to two recipients.

Jennifer Butler, a senior, Clarissa Schmidt and Seth Reynolds, both recent graduates, were the students recognized at the conference.

Rivers, professor and chairman, Department of Prosthodontics, who has served MUSC since 1980, played a key role in the development of a dental implant program for undergraduate students. 

“Upon graduation, dental students are free to begin practice with no requirement of further schooling,” Rivers said. “This program exposes them to advanced education at an undergraduate level.” 

Rivers also said the dental  implant program was a valuable and welcomed addition to the college. “We are one of a few schools offering this program. This makes the education we offer innovative and keeps us ahead of the curve.”  Sneed, professor and chairman, Department of General Dentistry, who has been with MUSC since 1976, represents the Department of General Dentistry as chairman. He received the award for his research.

“My main area of research is in dental materials,” Sneed said. “Especially in the areas of aesthetic and cosmetic materials and adhesives.”

Sneed travels extensively and speaks to dental associations around the world on topics of continuing education and dental materials. He presents the materials to show their practicality in dentistry. 

“I present different materials at conferences to show which are best suited for particular situations,” Sneed said.

Sneed was honored to receive the award and the acclaim it brings to his work and department. “After 24 years of educating and practicing, it is rewarding for the state association to recognize your efforts and to appreciate them.”

Butler was the recipient of the SCDA Foundation Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a rising senior in the college and is based on academic excellence and financial need.

The scholarship is awarded through an application and interview process in which all applicants are interviewed by a 12-member panel of the SCDA Education Foundation. The interview is conducted after consideration of letters of recommendation, transcripts and a letter from the applicant as to why they should be considered.

Plaques were awarded to both Butler and to Richard DeChamplain, DMD, dean of CDM, in honor of the college.

“It is a true honor to have been selected, and I appreciate the formation of the scholarship as education costs are on the rise,” Butler said. “I am grateful for their consideration and the award.”

Schmidt was elected as board member from the Class of 2000 to the MUSC Dental Alumni Association.

Reynolds, who served as president of his class for the four years of his undergraduate study, received the International College of Dentists Award and was also chosen by his classmates as the recipient of the Alumni Association Award.

Reynolds plans to complete a one-year residency at MUSC in Advanced Education in General Dentistry before returning to the upstate.