MUSC College of Dental Medicine launches Innovation Lab to revolutionize student training

The Medical University of South Carolina’s James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine has transformed how students train in the clinic by combining innovation and groundbreaking technologies for the dental field. Last fall, a state-of-the-art Innovation Laboratory was designed and launched in an effort to revolutionize dental students’ learning experiences by incorporating the latest technologies and most modern approaches. 

Payten Bennett and Sebastian Rodriguez are both fourth-year dental students from the Upstate. Bennett became interested in dentistry after going through years of braces and corrective jaw surgery when she was younger. Because of her own path within dentistry, she wanted to help people going through similar situations.  

Rodriguez initially aspired to become a medical doctor, but after speaking with dentists, he reconsidered his path. He shared that MUSC’s vision for the future of its dental school further solidified his interest, ultimately inspiring him to apply.

According to Rodriguez, being at the forefront of digital dentistry is what attracted him to MUSC. Investments in innovation, such as the new Innovation Laboratory, further showed the commitment to being one of the most innovative schools in the country.

As digital dentistry becomes the norm, the digital Innovation Lab at the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine allows students to have the full spectrum of essential resources right at their fingertips, including intraoral and extraoral scanning; design of restorations and prosthetic fabrication using CAD/CAM technology, i.e., milling and 3D printing; in addition to several other cutting-edge advancements. 

“If you wanted to be immersed in the digital workflow, which is modern dentistry today, you had to go against the grain or go and work on your own time on a very slow, outdated computer,” said Bennett. “So the Innovation Lab was MUSC listening to the dental student’s wishes and definitely delivering.”

Bennett and Rodriguez highly praised Tom Poovarodom, D.D.S., Ph.D., who was recruited by the college to provide dental students with a faculty member dedicated to student use of the Innovation Lab. The students said he works closely with them in the lab, providing hands-on guidance on various technologies and serving as a mentor. 

“He is the reason why this has all been super seamless and great, and he is like the heartbeat of that lab,” said Rodriguez. 

Poovarodom said having a resource that provides so many learning tools is nothing but beneficial, not only for Bennett and Rodriguez but for all students taking the next step in dentistry. 

“The main benefit of the Innovation Lab is that it enhances all aspects of our students’ educations, particularly in digital dentistry,” said Poovarodom. “I have a few students interested in preparing for advanced programs, such as digital dentistry or implantology. We provide them with resources to prepare them for the future – not only for private practice but also for the next steps in their education.”

According to Fabio Rizzante, D.D.S., Ph.D., assistant dean for Innovation, the new Laboratory represents the college’s commitment to excellence and innovation. 

 

“We have designed a core facility designed to serve as an internal laboratory and teaching center, where students and residents are able to design and mill teeth and implant-supported restorations, as well as to design and 3D print, night guards and interim partial and complete dentures.”

He explained that spearheading this collaborative environment will integrate and leverage technology to improve evidence-based education, clinical efficiency and patient outcomes. By immersing students in cutting-edge digital workflows and interdisciplinary collaborations, the college ensures that they graduate with the skills and experience needed to thrive in today’s modern dental practice.