Why a pediatric dentist?

T he vast majority of general dentists are capable of and comfortable with treating children. Knowing this, you might be wondering why you should then consider working with a pediatric dentist instead of just taking your children to the dentist you use. Allow us to explain.A pediatric dentist is a dentist who is trained specifically to work with children and early adolescents and exclusively treats them at their practice. Their training covers everything needed to make children comfortable at the dentist and empowered in their oral health care, including strategies for working with children with special needs, behavioral concerns, and an intense fear of the dentist. In order to be a true pediatric dentist, the dentist must be a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry with verified credentials and a demonstration of knowledge and skill.
All of this matters because children are not just miniature versions of adults. They have unique perspectives and needs that need to be addressed in a way that is tailored to them. This goes beyond things like a brightly colored environment and screens to watch; it is about delivering the best care in a manner that makes children feel safe and involved in the process. Dr. Conner makes certain all patients enjoy their visits and leave knowing more about how to care for their teeth.
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About Us
Dr. Charlton Conner
Unknowingly, Dr. Conner found his passion for working with children by serving adults in his General Practice Residency in New York City. After many conversations with his adult patients who had severe dental needs, it became clear that most of the adults with issues suffered a traumatic dental experience as a child. These patients vowed never to go back to the dentist as an adult. Many of these adults were suffering from significant dental health problems and required incredibly involved dental treatments to be restored to good dental health due to years of neglect. In the midst of these treatments, Dr. Conner had an epiphany that working with children to provide positive and fun experiences would help establish good dental health and create a solid foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles. Dr. Conner knew that if good dental health was taught and appreciated early in childhood, it would set children up for a positive outlook on oral health. Most importantly, Dr. Conner knew it would change a child’s life for the better.
Dr. Conner pursued the specialty of Pediatric Dentistry while in his General Practice Residency, with a keen eye on the problem he wanted to solve. He took on more hours shadowing in various pediatric dental clinics, volunteering tirelessly at pediatric dental offices in New York City. During his residency, Dr. Conner was handpicked by professors and the program director to continue to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry due to his easy-going personality and the incredible connections he was able to achieve with his pediatric patients.
Dr. Conner went on to complete his specialization in pediatric dentistry at Harlem Hospital Center through Columbia University in New York, NY in 2015. Dr. Conner received his Bachelor of Science in Biology with honors from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA in 2008 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN in 2012. Dr. Conner completed his general practice residency program at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center through the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in 2013. Dr. Conner is a diplomate of the Board of Pediatric Dentistry, making him a board certified Pediatric Dentist.
Dr. Conner is a native of Florence, South Carolina. He attended Montessori School of Florence, All Saints’ Episcopal Day School, and Trinity Collegiate School [now Trinity-Byrnes]. He enjoys classic cars, tennis, ping-pong, bicycling, traveling, and cooking in his free time.




Dr. Matthew Furman – Anesthesiologist
Dr. Furman has long been interested in medicine and anesthesiology, and feels especially privileged to be able to offer his specialized services to such special patients. He finds being able to provide the necessary anesthesia services to children with special dental needs, via the operating room, especially rewarding. He attended medical school at Kansas City University of Physicians and Surgeons and then graduated in 1999. Dr. Furman attended the highly coveted Anesthesiology Residency Program at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Dr. Furman is also certified in pain management services, having received extra training in his Anesthesiology Residency.While Dr. Furman is a new physician to South Carolina, he is not a new physician at all. Dr. Furman is the primary anesthesiologist at Palmetto Surgery Center, and has been since July 11, 2016. Dr. Furman is Board Certified in Anesthesiology from the American Board of Physician Specialties. Dr. Furman is certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, and Basic Life Support.
Testimonials
Here’s what our patients have to say about us!