Research

The research foci within the department includes:

• Molecular and cellular biology of periodontal inflammation and disease progression.
• Head and neck cancer biology and therapeutics with a focus on RNA silencing.
• Bioengineering/Biomechanics of temporamandibular joint and craniofacial regeneration with emphasis on dentin regeneration.
• Opportunistic oral bacteria and their mechanisms of colonization in oral mucosa.
• Periodontal pathogens and their molecular associations with chronic diseases.
• Commensal microbiota impact on osteoimmunology and skeletal metabolism.

Oral Health Research

The MUSC Center for Oral Health Research (COHR) has provided a major impetus for developing a sustainable oral/craniofacial research center based in the College of Dental Medicine.

Summer Research Programs

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) and the Summer Health Professionals (SHP) are a National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)-funded programs that provides a 10-week research training experience in Craniofacial and Oral Health for talented students.

D.M.D./Ph.D. Program

MUSC’s dual degree Dentist Scientist Training Program (DSTP) begins with 1 year of dental school, followed by approximately 4 years of research, and then the final 3 years of the dental school curriculum.

Research Degree Programs

Ph.D. Bioengineering
Ph.D. Biomedical Sciences
Masters of Science in Oral Sciences