Compare 14 dental hygienists in Charleston, SC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
14
Dental Hygienists
100%
Accepting patients
86%
Most common: RDH
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Charleston is a healthcare city built around MUSC, the oldest medical school in the South and the state's only comprehensive academic medical center. Roper St. Francis provides the community hospital alternative, while Trident Medical Center handles the growing North Charleston and Summerville populations. MUSC's research engine and the city's biomedical startup ecosystem have made Charleston an increasingly serious player in health innovation.
Charleston has 14 dental hygienists. The most common credential is RDH (86%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown Charleston (South of Broad), Mount Pleasant (nearby), West Ashley, and King Street.
MUSC's campus sits on the peninsula in downtown Charleston, just north of Calhoun Street. Roper Hospital is also on the peninsula, while Bon Secours St. Francis and Trident Medical Center serve West Ashley, North Charleston, and the surrounding suburbs. Mount Pleasant, across the Cooper River, has its own cluster of outpatient practices and an MUSC satellite. The Ravenel Bridge connects the peninsula to Mount Pleasant, but rush-hour traffic makes that crossing unpredictable.
Nearby hospitals include MUSC Health University Medical Center, Roper St. Francis Hospital, and Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. Local training programs run through Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and College of Charleston. MUSC is South Carolina's only comprehensive academic medical center and Level I trauma center.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina dominates the commercial market. South Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, so coverage gaps are wider here than in many states. For marketplace plans, BCBS, Ambetter, and Molina are the primary options. MUSC accepts most major insurance plans and serves as the region's largest Medicaid provider.
A routine visit with the hygienist lasts 45 to 60 minutes. They will review your medical history updates, take X-rays if due, and then clean your teeth using hand instruments and ultrasonic scalers to remove plaque and tartar above and below the gum line. They will polish your teeth, apply fluoride if indicated, and measure gum pocket depths (typically once per year). The hygienist will point out areas where your home care could improve and recommend products or techniques. For patients with gum disease, a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) may be recommended, which involves numbing and cleaning below the gum line in sections over one to two visits.
MUSC's College of Dental Medicine operates a teaching clinic with reduced-cost care. Private dental practices are concentrated on the peninsula, in Mount Pleasant, and along the Savannah Highway corridor in West Ashley.
You see a dental hygienist at every routine dental visit, typically twice a year. The hygienist performs your cleaning, takes X-rays, and screens for problems before the dentist examines you. If you have gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis), you may need to see the hygienist three to four times per year for maintenance cleanings. Patients with a history of gum disease, heavy tartar buildup, or diabetes benefit from more frequent hygienist visits.
Routine cleaning: $0 copay (covered preventive) · Deep cleaning: $150-350 per quadrant · Fluoride treatment: $0-35 · Sealant: $30-60 per tooth · Periodontal maintenance: $100-200
Charleston, SC has 14 licensed dental hygienists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of dental hygienists in Charleston, SC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
A routine cleaning costs $0 with insurance (covered as preventive). Self-pay cleaning costs $100 to $200. A deep cleaning costs $150 to $350 per quadrant. Fluoride treatment costs $0 to $35. Sealants cost $30 to $60 per tooth. Actual costs in Charleston, SC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Preventive cleanings are one of the best values in dental insurance since they are usually covered at 100% with no deductible. Using both of your covered cleanings per year prevents costly problems down the road. Deep cleanings are covered at 80% as a basic service under most plans.
MUSC is the default for subspecialty and complex care, but Roper St. Francis offers a strong alternative for primary care and common procedures. North Charleston and Summerville residents often use Trident Medical Center to avoid peninsula traffic. Mount Pleasant has a growing number of satellite clinics from both MUSC and Roper.
Some dental hygienists in Charleston, SC accept Healthy Connections, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers preventive dental care for children in all states. Adult preventive dental coverage varies by state. Where covered, routine cleanings and X-rays are typically at no cost or minimal copay. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Healthy Connections participation before scheduling.
Most people see a dental hygienist every six months for a routine cleaning. Patients with gum disease may need cleanings every three to four months (periodontal maintenance). Your hygienist and dentist will recommend a schedule based on your gum health and risk factors. With 14 dental hygienists in Charleston, SC, you can search on FindClarity to find a provider who fits your schedule.
Dental Hygienists in the area may have trained at Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine. Graduates of local programs often stay in the area to practice.
Yes. MUSC accepts both self-referrals and physician referrals for most departments. Some subspecialty clinics prefer a referral, but primary care, urgent care, and many specialty clinics allow direct scheduling.
Mount Pleasant has a growing number of outpatient practices, including MUSC and Roper satellite clinics, urgent care centers, and independent specialist offices. For inpatient care and complex procedures, you will likely need to cross the bridge to the peninsula.
Preventive dental visits (exam, cleaning, X-rays) are covered at 100% by most dental insurance plans, with no copay and no deductible. Most plans cover two cleanings per year. If you need more frequent cleanings for gum disease, insurance may cover additional cleanings (called periodontal maintenance) but may apply the deductible and a copay. Deep cleanings (scaling and root planing) are typically covered at 80% as a basic service. Fluoride treatments are covered for children; adult coverage varies by plan. Sealants are covered for children under a specified age, usually 14 to 16.