By Michelle E. Ziegler, DDS, FSCDA

This October marked the 26th Annual Carlos F. Salinas Dental Continuing Education Program for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Individuals with Special Health Care Needs (SHCN). Established in 1999 by its namesake, Dr. Carlos F. Salinas, the program was created to educate and support dental professionals throughout South Carolina in providing compassionate, evidence-based care for patients with special healthcare needs.

Attendees included practitioners from across the state, as well as faculty, residents, and students from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, including members of the MUSC student chapter of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD).

Dr. Salinas’ distinguished career began in Chile, where he earned his dental degree before coming to the United States to pursue research in genetics. He later joined the faculty at MUSC, where he became a passionate and influential advocate for individuals with disabilities. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by patients with physical and intellectual disabilities—and the critical need for specialized dental training, Dr. Salinas envisioned and launched this pioneering continuing education program.

Speakers- Back row: R-L Dr. Josh Durrant, Aubry Dodge; Front row. Dr. Michelle Ziegler, Dr. Natalie Trehan. Dr. Ann Spolarich
(Photo: James Smithwick)

Among his many contributions, Dr. Salinas established South Carolina’s first directory of dental providers for individuals with SHCN. Supported by a Duke Endowment grant and developed collaboratively with Dr. Elizabeth Pilcher and me, this initiative evolved into Special Adult Network of Dentists (SANDs) a digital resource that continues to serve as an invaluable tool for families, social workers, physicians, and dental professionals seeking care for patients with special health care needs.

Dr. Salinas also played an instrumental role in the planning and design of MUSC’s new dental school, advocating for a dedicated clinic space to provide comprehensive care for patients with disabilities while training future dental providers. As a result of his vision and perseverance, a specialized clinic was incorporated into the first floor of the facility, which opened to patients in January 2015.

Tragically, Dr. Salinas passed away on January 14, 2015, following a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in March 2013. In the final months of his life, he ensured that his legacy would continue by entrusting colleagues and friends with the responsibility of sustaining the annual continuing education program that bears his name.

Members of the MUSC student chapter of AADMD who attended and assisted during the day. (Photo: James Smithwick)

Dr. Salinas’ influence extended far beyond MUSC. He founded and directed the South Carolina Special Olympics Special Smiles Dental Program and was an active member of the Special Care Dentistry Association. Additionally, he was internationally recognized as an authority on Pre-Columbian art depicting individuals with craniofacial differences. Wherever his travels took him, he arranged private museum sessions to study these works. His expertise and scholarship earned him national and international recognition in the fields of special care, dentistry, genetics, and rare diseases.

Thanks to the dedication of his colleagues and the generosity of donors, the Carlos F. Salinas Dental Continuing Education Program continues to flourish. His wife, Dr. Maria Cordova Salinas, made a planned gift from her estate to ensure the program’s enduring success. Donations to the MUSC Foundation in support of the program are still gratefully accepted online. Donate to MUSC Foundation

“I saw him work so hard that I really didn’t want to see that lost,” Dr. Cordova shared. “Now there will always be the funds to keep it going.”

I have had the privilege of directing this program for the past several years. Next year we celebrate its 27th year; we will also mark a decade since Dr. Salinas’ passing. I share Dr. Cordova’s unwavering commitment to preserving his legacy. Having had Dr. Salinas as a mentor, I am deeply honored to continue his mission of advocating for patients with disabilities and supporting the professionals who provide their care.

The next Carlos F. Salinas Dental Continuing Education Seminar will take place on Friday, October 2, 2026. All are welcome. For additional information, please visit the Salinas Dental Program | MUSC. Salinas Dental Program | MUSC

About the Author

Continuing the Legacy of a Pioneer in Special Care Dentistry: Dr. Carlos F. Salinas

When The Dust Settles: Life with Autism after The Smoke Clears

Understanding Fawning