Mount Pleasant Magazine Sept/Oct 2014

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Feeling Good
Personal and Preventative Care
Periodontal Associates
Dr. EDwarD T. Murphy
Dr. Ed Murphy, a native of
Aiken, South Carolina, became
interested in the profession of
dentistry as a child, while watching
his grandfather and uncle, who
were both dentists. He thought
it “seemed interesting,” so he did
what any ambitious teen would
do and majored in cellular biology
at the University of Georgia with
the intention of applying to dental school afterward.
Following his degree from the Medical University of South
Carolina, Dr. Murphy’s residency in general dentistry
found him pursuing periodontics instead.
“I preferred the surgical aspect of dentistry and elected to
pursue additional training in periodontics,” he explained.
Three years later, after completing a double residency
in Advanced General Dentistry and Periodontology
and Implantology at MUSC, Dr. Murphy’s dream of
beginning a private practice came true. Today, he’s board
certified and enjoys the opportunity to form relationships
with his patients that last a lifetime.
“This is one of the rare specialties where you can develop
a long-term relationship with the patient,” he commented.
“It’s for life. I enjoy the challenge of taking a mouth that is
compromised in some way and rehabilitating it.”
Dr. ChrisTophEr CapuTo
Raised in Greenwood, South
Carolina, Dr. Chris Caputo was
“constantly exposed to the medical
industry” because his father worked
for Parke-Davis. His brother and
sister, both dentists, also had a
strong influence on his career
choice of dentistry. Eventually, his
growing interest led him to an undergraduate degree at
Furman University, followed by dental school at the Medical
University of South Carolina.
“Family is very important to me. My wife and two
daughters have been very supportive of the time I spend
in dentistry,” he said.
Dr. Caputo completed a two-year general residency
By DenIse K. JaMes
prior to his Periodontics residency and is a diplomate of
the American Board of Periodontology. Much like Dr.
Murphy, he discovered his passion for Periodontics.
“I wanted a challenge,” he said. “And I like the idea of
putting something back together, only better than it was
and improving my patients’ overall health.”
Dr. Caputo enjoys learning about his patients’ personal
stories and feels that it makes each day more fulfilling
and interesting. He also credits the staff at Periodontal
Associates as a large part of what makes the practice great.
“We have a unique and special staff and are very
fortunate,” he said.
Dr. J. DaulTon KEiTh
Dr. J. Daulton Keith is from
South Carolina as well – Hartsville,
to be exact – and agrees with his
partners that the three of them are
mainly in “the people business.”
Dr. Keith founded Periodontal
Associates in 1968 and has watched
the practice grow for the past 40
years. As one of the first trained periodontists in the state
of South Carolina, Dr. Keith has placed more than 20,000
dental implants, with a 98-percent long-term success rate.
Throughout his career, Dr. Keith has stressed the importance
of prevention in order to attain long-term dental health.
Dr. Keith was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry
after losing his front teeth in a high school football
game. Completing his undergraduate degree at Wofford
College, he attended dental school at the Medical College
of Virginia and Boston University’s School of Graduate
Dentistry in Periodontics. Dr. Keith has been a clinical
professor at the Medical University of South Carolina
Dental School for more than 40 years.
Dr. Keith is one of the 2 percent of dentists in the
United States who is a member of The American College
of Dentists, The International College of Dentists and
the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He enjoys lecturing both
nationally and internationally on Periodontal Therapy and
Implant Dentistry.
For more information about Periodontal Associates, visit
or call 843-571-0853.