Deirdre Sams Williams, DDS, MS

 

Dr. Deirdre S. Williams, currently is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at MUSC. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a Fellow in the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She has authored numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals, given presentations at many local, state, and national dental meetings, and has been the recipient of several grants and awards. She serves as the faculty representative for the College of Dental Medicine with the Faculty Senate for MUSC, a member of the Admissions Committee for the College of Dental Medicine, Strategic Planning Committee, Curriculum Committee, to name a few. In her short time at MUSC, she is the principal investigator of two Duke Endowment/BCBS grants that are projects centered on School-Based Oral Health Initiatives and the Dental Safety Net Populations. She has been a faculty advisor for dental student research projects presented at Scholars Day as well as a research advisor for pediatric dental residents. She facilitates the celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Williams also serves as the course director for the didactic and clinical predoctoral courses for the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. In 2022, she was the recipient of one of the College of Dental Medicine’s Strategic Plan Grant Awards where she piloted a mentoring program for dental students from URM backgrounds, entitled MINTS, Mentoring is Navigating Together Strongly. A program that collaborated with the Office of Student Engagement to facilitate for a campus-wide mentoring seminar that was held recently. Dr. Williams is a graduate of Spelman College, Howard University College of Dentistry, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she received her master’s degree and certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. After completing a tour of duty with the United States Navy and her residency program, she began her career in academic dentistry at the former Medical College of Georgia, now known as the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta. She was there for approximately 5 years before meeting her husband and moving to Conway, SC where she established her private practice and provided care for pediatric patients and patients with special healthcare needs for 20 years. While in Conway, Dr. Williams was very involved in her community. She was a member of numerous organizations, community boards, and board trustee for Conway Medical Center, where she served for over 10 years. While at Conway Medical Center, she established operating services for pediatric dental patients. She was a March of Dimes Foundation Board member and served on the inaugural board BE2, that helped to launch the only Early College High School in Horry County. She was a member of the Conway Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. for 19 years, during which time she served in many local, regional, and national leadership roles. Elected as the first Regional Secretary of the Mid-Atlantic Region, elected Regional Director from 2013-2015, hosted the 41st National Convention in Charlotte in 2014, and served on many national committees. Dr. Williams has been a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, since 1979. Since moving to Charleston, she has become an Associate Member of the Charleston Chapter of Jack and Jill and she recently became a member of the Charleston (SC) Links, Incorporated. Dr. Williams has been a resident of the Palmetto State for over 25 years. She is originally from Jackson, MS and she is the mother of 2 young adult sons. Dr. Williams and her husband George, celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in December of 2020.