Dear James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine alumni and friends,
Have you caught wind of our exciting new MUSC continuing education (CE) programs?
While our dental students' education is paramount, we at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine also understand the crucial role of continuing education for our alumni and dental professionals across South Carolina.
To keep your dental license current in the Palmetto State, dentists must complete a minimum of 14 continuing education hours per year, or 28 hours over two years. Dental hygienists and dental technicians have their own quotas, with 14 and eight hours every two years, respectively. What's more, at least half of those required hours need to be done in person. While number of required CE hours varies by state, it's a sizable commitment for any dentist in the U.S., and you'd want to make sure it's worth every minute.
To meet the needs of our alumni and dental professionals in the state and the Southeast, we are pleased to announce the launch of our CE programs in 2023 – 2024.
Leading this initiative is Dr. Sompop Bencharit, a respected expert in prosthodontics and digital dentistry who serves as professor, assistant dean for innovation and chair of our Department of Reconstructive and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Our inaugural Digital Innovation Symposium is December 7 through 8
Registration is open now. Digital dentistry has been a major disruptor, revolutionizing everything from scanning to prosthetic crafting. The heart of our CE initiative, the Digital Innovation Symposium, features a fantastic lecture series by four of our esteemed faculty members. But that's not all – there is a hands-on workshop the next day in our simulation lab, diving deep into guided implant surgery and 3D printing. That's a whopping 12 hours of CE credit right there! After soaking up knowledge on cutting-edge digital tech, join us in downtown Charleston for a laid-back reception. It's a fantastic chance to connect with peers, meet some fresh faces on our faculty, and chat with vendors. For complete course details and to secure your spot, please visit our website.
But wait, there's more on the horizon! Keep an eye out for these upcoming CE courses:
- In 2024, we're bringing back an MUSC alum, Dr. Alfred Griffin, founder and CEO of LightForce Orthodontics.
- Mark your calendars for MUSC Alumni Weekend, happening February 29 to March 2, 2024. It's a CE bonanza included with your weekend ticket. The event website will be updated with speakers and registration in early fall.
As we continue to expand our CE offerings, we welcome your feedback on how we can best support you and your team. Your input is invaluable as we strive to enhance the quality of dental education and practice in our community.
Sincerely,
Sarandeep Huja, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Sarandeep S. Huja
Dean, James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine Professor, College of Dental Medicine
Sarandeep S. Huja, D.D.S., Ph.D., has served as professor of the Department of Orthodontics and dean of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) since October 2017.
Dr. Huja initially received his dental (1987) and orthodontic (1992) training from the Government Dental College and Hospital, Bombay. From 1993 to 2001, he was associated with three U.S. institutions, receiving his Master of Science (1995) from Marquette University, his Doctor of Philosophy in Dental Science (1999) and Orthodontic Certificate (1999) from Indiana University, and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (2001) from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. His Ph.D. was conducted under the mentorship of Dr. David Burr from the Department of Anatomy and Dr. W. Eugene Roberts in Orthodontics from Indiana University. From 2001 to 2011, he served as faculty at the Ohio State University, working under the mentorship of Dr. Katherine Vig, a world-renowned orthodontist and educator. In 2011, he joined the University of Kentucky as chief of the Division of Orthodontics. In 2016, he was appointed the program director of Orthodontics and associate dean for Faculty and Student Development and Graduate Studies at the University of Kentucky.
Dr. Huja has served as advisor for both the Ph.D. and Master's graduate students and taught Orthodontics and Bone Biology to dental and graduate students. His research seeks to understand bone remodeling, osteoclast biology, and adaptation to physical forces, including tooth movement. His students have been recognized with national awards for projects related to tooth movement and implant adaptation biology. He also served as the president of the Craniofacial Biology Group of the International Association of Dental Research.
At MUSC, Dr. Huja has worked on the expansion of off-peninsula oral and dental clinics at Ryan White and in West Ashley and Summerville. He also recently moved the college to an integrated electronic health record system, Epic Wisdom, and is focusing the college's attention on rural expansion throughout the state and integration into MUSC Health facilities.
Dr. Huja is a member of the Midwest component of the E.H. Angle Society and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He also maintains an intramural faculty practice.
