Expertise

Dr. Vicki Tatum

Dr. Tatum is a native South Carolinian, born in Anderson, SC. She has lived in many places in North and South Carolina and a few in Virginia. Her father, Jack Tatum, worked in the textile industry after graduating from Clemson University. When Dr. Tatum was 12 years old, she had her braces put on and her love for dentistry began. From that age, she knew she wanted to be a dentist and never strayed from that goal.

During high school in Rutherfordton, NC, Vicki was nominated for The North Carolina School of Science and Math (NCSSM). She was chosen to go there and be a part of the first graduating class of this new, innovative, public boarding school.

Upon graduating from NCSSM, she received a full academic scholarship to attend Wofford College. She matriculated from Wofford with a BS in Math, graduating Sum Cum laude and was chosen for Phi Beta Kappa. Two weeks after graduation she entered The Medical University of SC (MUSC).

Starting in the summer of 1986, Vicki entered the Class of 1990, College of Dental Medicine, MUSC. She graduated from there second in her class and was chosen for Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU).

After graduation from Dental School, Dr. Tatum decided to attend Emory University for a 1-year general practice residency. She was trying to make a decision about whether to go into practice as a general dentist or an oral surgeon. After the year at Emory, spending much time working in the hospital and with the oral surgery residents, she decided to go into private practice as a general dentist.

Since July 1991, Dr. Tatum has been practicing on Courtenay Drive in Charleston, SC, less than a half mile from MUSC where she attended dental school. She taught part-time at the dental school for 6 years and was elected president of the Alumni Association of the College of Dental Medicine for a 1-year term.

Dr. Tatum has been a member of many professional organizations, some of which are; The American Dental Association (ADA), The SC Dental Association where she served as a delegate, the Charleston Dental Society, The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and The St. Andrews Rotary Club.

She believes in volunteering, and along with her community involvement with Rotary, she volunteers at two free dental clinics, The John's Island Wellness House and East Cooper Community Outreach Dental Clinic.

She and her staff attend continuing education classes to remain up-to-date, to provide her patients with the latest technology in dentistry. In 2000, she and both of her chairside assistants graduated from Las Vegas Institute posterior esthetic dentistry course.

Starting at age 12, Dr. Tatum has always wanted to do what she is doing today. She constantly redefines her goals to provide beautiful, quality dentistry in a relaxed, educational atmosphere for those who seek it. Her record shows the excellent training she has received. Her attitude shows that she actually loves what she does.