The MUSC Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Division, directed by Dr. Betsy Davis, treats head and neck cancer, head and neck trauma, and congenital defects. The Clinic makes prostheses, both intraoral and extra-oral, to allow patients to speak, swallow, and chew. Approximately 400 head and neck cancer patients are treated each year from South Carolina and the southeastern region of the United States.

Eighty percent of patients seen are due to a medical origin (cancer, trauma, or congenital). The remaining 20 percent of the patient population are private dental patients with an emphasis on full mouth rehabilitation, implant dentistry and aesthetic dentistry.

Outcomes: Before the Clinic began in 1994, patients with head and neck cancer defects were not rehabilitated (Figure 1). Bodily functions of speaking, swallowing, and chewing were compromised.

By making a prosthesis and inserting it at the time of surgery, patients are able to wake up and are often able to speak, swallow, and chew (Figure 2). Patients with extraoral defects could not go out in public because of their defect (Figure 3), but with a prosthesis in place they can now go out into public and the workforce (Figure 4).

Key Faculty
 Betsy K. Davis, DMD, MS, Director
 Beverly Attaway, DDS, MS

Key equipment/resources
Rutledge Tower: Currently, the Clinic is housed on the 10th Floor of Rutledge Tower with five operatories and a full service dental laboratory.

South Carolina has one of the highest incidences of head and neck cancer and ranks first in the mortality of head and neck cancer. The Maxillofacial Prosthodontic Exam room is located in the new Hollings Cancer Center facility near the head and neck surgeons, radiation oncologist, oncologist and speech pathologists for all new patients. This is designed to allow pre-operative treatment planning by all specialists. This specialized clinic provides on-site counseling and outpatient treatment for head and neck cancer patients. Specialized equipment, include an orthopantomograph (digital panorex) and state-of-the-art dental chair.