MUSC Dental and Oral Health - Charleston

Dr. Ziegler is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical \& Community Health Sciences, Director of Special Care Dentistry Clinic at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. She graduated from the New York University College of Dentistry, as well as receiving her BS from Columbia University and an AS in Dental Hygiene from the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine. Dr. Ziegler's postgraduate training includes a two year General Practice Residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY where she was Chief Resident. She was the Director of the General Residency Program at Lutheran Medical Center (now NYU Langone) and Director of the General Practice Residency Program at Monmouth Medical Center in New Jersey. Dr. Ziegler is a member of the ADA, ADEA, SCDA, AADMD and a fellow of Special Care Dentistry. She is the faculty mentor for the MUSC student chapters of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry. Over the last 30+ years, Dr. Ziegler's passion has been providing care to and educating students and residents in the care for persons with disabilities.

Dr. George "Perry" Stamatiades earned his doctorate in dental medicine from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed an advanced education in general dentistry (AEGD) with East Carolina University. After training, he practiced at a federally qualified health center in New Mexico, providing care to underserved populations. He has since worked for Pacific Dental in Seattle, Washington and Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Stamatiades is a Charleston native with a bachelor's degree from Clemson University. He is grateful to be working at the Medical University of South Carolina and training the next generation of dental clinicians.

Dr. Douglas J. Alterman is a seasoned dental professional with over 30 years of experience in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Alterman began his career as a dental officer in the U.S. Navy, ensuring the dental readiness of over 3,000 sailors and Marines aboard the USS Ponce LPD-15. He then bought a private practice in Charleston, SC, which he successfully grew and managed for 32 years. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Tulane University and a D.M.D. from MUSC, with advanced training from the Naval Medical Center San Diego, LD Pankey Institute, and other prestigious institutions. Dr. Alterman is an active member of several professional organizations and has served as President of the South Carolina State Board of Dentistry. Dedicated to education and patient care, Dr. Alterman directs MUSC's Dental Faculty Practice, where he fosters a positive environment, enhancing both patient and staff experiences.

Dr. Concepcion Barboza is a prosthodontist and periodontist. She came to MUSC in 2025 from the Department of Oral \& Maxillofacial Surgery and the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Barboza was born in San Jose, Costa Rica. She graduated with a dental degree with honors from the University of Costa Rica in 2003. After graduating she did a diplomat in advanced prosthodontics and implant dentistry in 2003 from the University of Costa Rica. In 2004 Dr. Barboza moved to Bogota, Colombia, where she completed her residency training first in prosthodontics and subsequently in periodontics at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. She returned to Costa Rica and worked in private practice and then moved to Dallas, Texas to do an implant fellowship at Texas A\&M HSC-Baylor College of Dentistry in 2008.

Dr. Dalton Wilson directs the removable prosthodontics student clinic within the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine's Department of Reconstructive \& Rehabilitation Sciences. He joined MUSC as an assistant professor in 2016. Patients and students alike benefit from Dr. Wilson's extensive expertise in prosthodontics. Dr. Wilson brings a wealth of experience from his distinguished 25-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he notably served as the chief of the prosthodontics department at Offutt Air Force Base. He received a certificate in prosthodontics from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1996, preceded by a hospital-based residency in general dentistry at Langley Air Force Base in 1989 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

Dr. Elizabeth Pilcher graduated from MUSC James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. She is a fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry and in the American College of Dentists. She practices general dentistry with an emphasis on using modern technology such as CAD/CAM dentistry, which allows restorations such as crowns to be completed in one appointment.

Dr. Joseph Gambacorta received his D.D.S. in 1993 from the University at Buffalo (UB) School of Dental Medicine. He is also a 2022 graduate of the UB School of Public Health and Health Professions where he received his Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Community Health and Behavior. He also completed a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences from UB in 1989 and a General Practice Residency at Millard Fillmore Hospital in 1994. Dr. Gambacorta is also the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at MUSC's James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. He joined MUSC from UB, where he served in multiple leadership roles. Since 2006, he has led interprofessional outreach missions to several international and domestic destinations. He was also the faculty advisor for Buffalo Outreach and Community Assistance (BOCA), a public health organization that unifies students and professionals to promote dental education and deliver care to those in need. Dr. Gambacorta is a native of Buffalo, New York.

Dr. James Loe is an assistant professor with the James B. Edwards School of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 1985. Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Loe joined the United States Air Force and attended a general practice residency program at the David Grant Medical Center on Travis Air Force Base in California. Dr. Loe served in the Air Force as a general dentist and held a number of duty positions at various worldwide assignments. He retired from the Air Force after 30 years of service, whereupon he joined the faculty of the College of Dental Medicine at MUSC in 2015.

Dr. Jeffrey S. Kirk is a highly experienced dentist with a career spanning over three decades. Dr. Kirk earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, and holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Riverside. He has held various academic and clinical positions, including group practice administrator at his alma mater. Dr. Kirk previously served as a Staff Dentist at the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Columbia, South Carolina, where he delivered comprehensive dental care to veterans. His prior extensive experience includes serving as Dental Director and Staff Dentist at the Sonoma County Indian Health Project in Santa Rosa, California, and as Deputy Dental Director and Clinical Dentist at the Bristol Bay Area Health Corp. in Dillingham, Alaska. He has also held hospital privileges at Sutter Medical Center, performing pediatric operating room cases. In his role as an attending clinical dentist, he also provides valuable guidance and expertise to dental students at MUSC's James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Guilherme Faria Moura is a dedicated and skilled prosthodontist with advanced knowledge of digital dentistry. Fluent in both English and Portuguese, Dr. Moura effectively communicates with a diverse range of patients, ensuring they receive the best possible care. He began private practice in 2014. Dr. Moura holds a Ph.D. in Dentistry with a concentration in digital dentistry from the Uberlândia School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil. His thesis focused on the application of digital dentistry in the teaching-learning process and the accuracy of intraoral scanners on different dental substrates. In addition to his Ph.D., Dr. Moura was a digital dentistry research scholar at the University of Michigan. He completed a postgraduate program in implantology at HD Dental School in Uberlândia, Brazil, and earned a Master in Dentistry with a concentration in operative dentistry. He also has basic training in Periodontics from HD Dental School and earned his D.D.S. from the Uberlândia School of Dentistry, Federal University of Uberlândia.

Dr. Vaibhav Gandhi has practiced orthodontics since 2015. He joined MUSC in 2026. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists, a fellow of Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Canada, a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and a member of various other national professional organizations. In addition to providing excellent care to his patients, Dr. Gandhi is a regularly published researcher in peer-reviewed medical journals.

At the forefront of integrating digital technology into dental practices, Dr. Pongsakorn Poovarodom is committed to leveraging his wealth of knowledge and expertise in digital dentistry and prosthodontics to improve patient outcomes. He earned his Ph.D. in Oral Science from Chiang Mai University, supported by the prestigious CMU Presidential Scholarship. He also holds a Master of Science in Prosthodontics and a D.D.S. degree from Khon Kaen University. In addition to his robust background in biomechanics, finite element analysis, and computer-aided design (CAD), Dr. Poovarodom has made significant contributions to the field through his research, with publications focusing on the impact of implant placement on bone remodeling and the biomechanical behavior of custom implant abutments.

Dr. Hema Arany is an experienced, patient focused dentist committed to helping you maintain a healthy, confident smile. She provides comprehensive dental care, including preventive, restorative, and prosthodontic treatments. Dr. Arany stays current with modern techniques and technology through ongoing continuing education, ensuring her patients receive high quality, evidence based care. Dr. Arany joined MUSC in 2026, bringing over a decade of program leadership, research and clinical expertise from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, as well as The Forsyth Institute in Boston and the Dr. Shyamal Reddy Dental College in Bangalore, India. In addition to authoring numerous research articles in scientific journals and text book chapters, Dr. Arany is a dedicated clinical educator.

Robert A. Utsman, DDS, MPM is a Dentist and Orofacial Pain Management Specialist at the MUSC School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Utsman works to coordinate and manage both simple and complex chronic pain disorders involving the jaw, face, and head. He has been involved in education and training of dentists in TMJ, Orofacial Pain, and research since 2011. Dr. Utsman has found pain management to be a challenging career and a wonderful opportunity to help patients retake their lives. His approach with patient care blends evidence-based treatments through an interdisciplinary team with extensive training of patients in how to manage their own pain. He believes all patients play an essential role in their own capacity to heal.

A skilled and patient-focused dentist, Dr. Hylton brings 24 years of experience in private practice ownership, where she consistently maintained a high patient satisfaction rating of five-star patient reviews. Now back at MUSC where she completed her dentistry degree, she places a focus on building trust and rapport with each patient. Her clinical proficiency spans all aspects of restorative dentistry, including composites, crown and bridge, veneers, removable partial dentures, and implant restorations.

Martin B. Steed, DDS, FACS, grew up in Binghamton, New York. He graduated from St. John Fisher College cum laude. He then attended the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, graduating in 1997. After completing an oral medicine residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from 1997 to 1999, his training in oral and maxillofacial surgery was carried out at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Steed began his professional career at the Emory University School of Medicine in 2004 and he was a full time faculty member there until 2013. He was the Emory oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program director from 2007 to 2013 and chief of the oral and maxillofacial surgery service at Emory University Midtown Hospital. In 2013 he moved to his present position as professor and the James B. Edward's Endowed Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina within the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. Dr. Steed is a consultant for the Committee on Dental Accreditation and a board examiner for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS). He was recently named as co-chair for the medicine and anesthesia section of ABOMS. Dr. Steed's clinical and research interests include micros-surgical repair of peripheral trigeminal nerve injuries (such as the lingual, inferior alveolar, and infraorbital), virtual surgical planning/simulation, orthognathic and maxillofacial trauma surgery outcome measurements, and surgical curriculum development and assessment. Dr. Steed has an active clinical practice, seeing patients three days per week and operating two days per week. In addition to these clinical responsibilities, he directs the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, is extensively involved in the training of the residents within that program, and continues his research in maxillofacial trauma. Dr. Steed has guest edited three textbooks and authored over 14 book chapters and 21 publications related to oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Dr. Farheen Malek believes in providing exceptional clinical care to her patients and upholds the highest standards of evidence-based, patient-centered practice. She is an accomplished prosthodontist, educator, and researcher with extensive experience in clinical prosthodontics, digital dentistry, and academic leadership. Born and raised in Ahmedabad, India, she has built a distinguished career that bridges international clinical practice and higher education in the United States. Dr. Malek earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) and Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in prosthodontics from Gujarat University in India, followed by advanced clinical training and a second master's degree in prosthodontics from the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Dentistry in New Orleans. She joined MUSC in 2026 from University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. Outside of her professional pursuits, Dr. Malek enjoys reading, hiking and gardening.

A graduate of Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan, Dr. Chen earned his master of dental science at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and completed clinical orthodontic training at Taipei Veterans General Hospital. After six years of practice in Taiwan, he pursued a fellowship at the University of Connecticut, followed by a research fellowship and orthodontic residency. He became a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics in 2021 and joined the University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty in 2022 after a year at the University of Connecticut, where he directed the orthodontics residency program. Dr. Chen also serves as the president of the American Association of Orthodontists Society of Educators. Now at MUSC, Dr. Chen leads the Division of Applied Craniofacial Sciences and the orthodontics residency program. An active researcher, Dr. Chen has received awards such as the 2022 American Association of Orthodontists Thomas M. Graber Award, the 2023 Milo Hellman Research Award, and the 2023 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research John Haddad Young Investigator Award. His research focuses on temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis, geroscience, and orthodontic tooth movement, with funding from the National Institutes of Health and the American Association of Orthodontists.

Dr. Luis Yepes' desire to pursue dentistry stems from a passion rooted in his diverse life experiences. Growing up as the son of an electrical engineer, he witnessed his father's dedication and hard work. His older brother, a dentist, ingrained in him the value of caring for others in all circumstances and situations. He graduated from Pontifical Xaverian University in Colombia, his home country, with his dental degree and endodontics certification. He completed a general practice residency at the University of Kentucky, serving as chief resident, before beginning an endodontics fellowship and instructing in the clinic. Dr. Yepes then joined the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry as an assistant clinical professor and went on to serve as director of the advanced education in general dentistry (AEGD) residency and clinic. Dr. Yepes is a Commission on Dental Accreditation site visitor for AEGD and general practice residency programs. He is a recipient of the 2021 Presidential Award for clinical excellence, and a fellow with the Institute for Diversity in Leadership, with the American Dental Association. He is on the board of the Hispanic Dental Association, co-editor of the Journal of the Hispanic Dental Association, president-elect of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society Mu Nu chapter, and a fellow of the International College of Dentistry.

Dr. Robert Gellin joined the faculty in 1985. He is a professor in the Division of Regenerative Sciences \& Periodontology in the Department of Advanced Specialty Sciences. Dr. Gellin is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, a fellow of the American College of Dentists and a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. On a weekly basis, he teaches in the Periodontics clinic both pre-doctoral dental students and Periodontics residents. He received his D.M.D. from the University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry in 1980. He spent three years in the U.S. Public Health Service, including a one-year general practice residency. In 1985, Dr. Gellin earned his Certificate in Periodontics and M.H.S. (Master in Health Sciences) from the Medical University of South Carolina. His clinical interests include periodontal exam and diagnosis, non-surgical periodontal therapy, surgical periodontal therapy, pre-surgical therapy for dental implants, and the placement of dental implants. He has given numerous presentations to dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants for local, state, national, and international dental organizations. Dr. Gellin maintains an active practice limited to periodontics and dental implants within the College of Dental Medicine's Dental Faculty Practice.

Dr. Natalia Trehan is an oral medicine doctor. She treats patients with oral mucosal diseases, salivary gland dysfunction, temporomandibular joint disorders, and oral manifestations of systemic diseases. In addition to patient care, she is an Assistant Professor of Oral Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina and the course director for General and Systemic Pathology. She teaches predoctoral and postdoctoral students clinically and didactically. Dr. Trehan's research interests focus on head and neck cancer, oral manifestations of systemic diseases and chronic pain.

I obtained a certification in Prosthodontics from the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry. Following this, I completed a two-year Fellowship in Gerontology at the UCLA School of Dentistry and West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. In 2017, I further specialized by completing a Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and Oral Oncology fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center. My extensive experience spans various aspects of dentistry, including didactic and clinical professor of the undergraduate predoctoral prosthodontics clinic, advanced education in prosthodontics, a general practice residency, private practice, community-setting clinics, innovation and technology in dentistry, and research. I strongly believe that exposure to different schools of thought, from clinical techniques to patient management strategies, have significantly enhanced my ability to provide comprehensive and effective patient care. In addition to my clinical work, I am passionate about mentoring and community service. I actively participate in dental care outreach programs. My dedication to mentoring the next generation of dental professionals ensures that I contribute to the growth and development of the field, fostering a community of skilled and compassionate practitioners.

Dr. Hua-Hong Chien came aboard as a professor and chief of the Division of Regenerative Sciences and Periodontology on July 31, 2023. Born and raised in Taiwan, Dr. Chien matriculated into China Medical University School of Dentistry from which he received his D.D.S. degree in 1986. Dr. Chien completed his specialty training at the State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine, where he received a Ph.D. degree in Oral Biology and a certificate in Periodontics in 1997. Immediately afterward, he moved back to his native country, Taiwan, and became a full-time faculty member at China Medical University. In 2001, he was appointed as the Dean of the School of Dentistry at China Medical University. In 2007, he accepted a faculty position at The Ohio State University (OSU) College of Dentistry, where he was appointed as a clinical associate professor in the Division of Periodontology. Dr. Chien became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and was appointed as the Pre-doctoral Program Director in the Division of Periodontology in 2009. Dr. Chien's major focus of study since starting at OSU has been dental implant research. He has been the principal investigator in two college seed grants and one corporate-funded research contract. He was also the co-investigator for several dental implant contracts/grants from corporations or foundations. Dr. Chien has mentored both periodontal and prosthodontic graduate students in the completion of their master's degrees in clinical studies. Dr. Chien has contributed to the scientific knowledge in periodontics with the publication of 38 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. He has also served on the editorial board for several journals.