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by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
Getting quality dental care is as easy as walking across campus.
MUSC’s Dental Faculty Practice is committed to providing quality
comprehensive dental care within a one-stop professional dental
practice that’s convenient to patients.
The Dental Faculty Practice, located on the third floor of the Basic
Science Building (Room 346, 173 Ashley Ave.), is a full-service
multidiscipline dental practice that focuses on prevention, diagnosis
and treatment. The operation is similar to a private-practice setting
where administrative staff, hygienists, general dentists and dental
specialists work together to provide these treatments and services. The
dentists are highly qualified and experienced dental faculty who train
and supervise dental students. The practice staff has served thousands
of patients since the 1970s, both locally and statewide, including
MUSC faculty, staff, students and patients.
More than 65 percent of Dental Faculty Practice patients work at MUSC,
according to Mark Barry, DDS, associate dean for clinical affairs and
professor, College of Dental Medicine.
“Patients who go to the dentist on a more regular basis generally are
committed to taking care of their teeth,” said Barry. “Because of this,
they seek convenience and confidence in a dental practitioner when it
comes to receiving good quality dental care. They expect this level of
care especially within an academic dental environment.”
Research and administration operations manager Loretta Lynch-Reichert
and husband, Marcel, are patients of Rick Albenesius, DMD, in the
Dental Faculty Practice. For a while, the couple hesitated in giving up
their general dentist in Columbia—fearing that they couldn’t find
anyone to replace her in their lives.
Lynch-Reichert, who came to MUSC in 2004, was eventually referred to
the practice and Albenesius and has been happy ever since. “Dr.
Albenesius is a fabulous and wonderful professional who is an active
clinician and teacher. He’s accommodating, convenient and courteous to
all our dental needs and we’re both highly satisfied customers,” said
Lynch-Reichert.
Patients will always be informed of needed treatments and cost of
services according to Phillip Blacklocke, Dental Faculty Practice
business manager. They are also automatically placed on a recall
system for follow-up appointments after teeth cleanings and general
exams.
The practice provides endodontics (root canal), oral pathology, oral
& maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, prosthodontics (crown,
bridge & dentures), other specialty services including teeth
cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, crowns and bridges, implants, root
canals, sealants, veneers and whitening. Fees are consistent and
competitive with other area private dental practices. Patients pay for
services when services they are rendered. The staff will assist
patients in filing dental insurance forms.
“Patients can feel confident that faculty are providing patient care
based on the latest scientific information and practices available,”
said Walter G. Renne, DMD, Department of Oral Rehabilitation and a
practitioner in the dental faculty practice. “This ensures that our
patients receive good, evidenced-based care.”
These services are expected to continue and grow as the practice
prepares to move into the new James B. Edwards Clinical Education
Center in August. Barry and other dental faculty have been involved
with the design of the new dental faculty practice since its
inception and has relied upon several resources including other dental
institutions and programs to recommend modifications. The new facility
will grow in space by more than 50 percent and feature new dental
chairs, hand pieces and digital electronic medical records.
MUSC Dental Faculty Practice is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays.
To schedule an
appointment, call 792-3444.
Friday, June 5, 2009
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