Melody Dawson Whitaker, DMD

General Dentistry

About Dr. Whitaker

Dr. Melody Dawson Whitaker is a general dentist at Little River Medical Center who provides comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages. A native of South Carolina, she grew up in Florence and is a proud graduate of the University of South Carolina Honors College, where she earned her degree summa cum laude.

Dr. Whitaker went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. While at MUSC, she was named to the Dean’s List and received the Public Health Dentistry Award during her senior year.

Dr. Whitaker’s Approach to Care
Dr. Whitaker is passionate about delivering high-quality, compassionate dental care in a setting that blends public health dentistry with the comfort of a private practice. She is especially dedicated to caring for geriatric patients and individuals who require specialized support, ensuring every patient feels respected, comfortable, and confident in their care.

Education
Dr. Whitaker completed a fellowship in Geriatric and Special Care Dentistry at the University of Iowa, where she developed advanced expertise in treating geriatric patients and those with complex dental needs. During her fellowship, she received the Dr. Samuel Johnston Graduate Student Fellowship Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication to geriatric dentistry.

Outside the Office
Dr. Whitaker previously served as a clinical faculty member at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in Chicago, where she taught clinical dentistry while also maintaining a private practice. Her experience in both academic and clinical settings allows her to bring a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to patient care.

Locations
Melody Whitaker, DMD, sees patients at Little River Medical Center locations in:

• Carolina Forest

New patients are welcome regardless of insurance coverage.