Tatum Dentistry
Medical district dentistry with two-hour first visits, laser gum therapy and Saturday hours
Smyleee Rating
Very Good
About Tatum Dentistry
If your badge gets you into MUSC, Roper or the Ralph H. Johnson VA, Tatum Dentistry is effectively across the street. The office at 92 Courtenay Drive sits in the middle of the Charleston medical district, a few blocks from Bee Street and within sight of the Ashley River, which makes it unusually simple for hospital staff, dental and medical students and downtown residents in Harleston Village or Cannonborough to slot an appointment around a shift. Saturday hours from 8am to 2pm widen that further, and they are the reason plenty of patients commuting in from West Ashley or Mount Pleasant still keep the practice after moving off the peninsula. Parking in the district is the honest trade-off, so leave yourself a margin.
Dr. Vicki Tatum founded the practice and has worked from this location for more than three decades, joined by Dr. Celeste Granger, who has trained through the Kois Center. The scope covers general and restorative dentistry, cosmetic work, orthodontics, TMJ treatment, facial esthetics, and sleep and airway assessment, plus gum and laser therapy. That last one is worth unpacking. A dental laser removes the diseased lining of a periodontal pocket and disrupts bacterial colonies below the gumline, working alongside scaling and root planing that cleans hardened deposits off the root surface itself. Because the laser cuts and seals at once, most patients report less bleeding and a shorter recovery than with a scalpel technique. What no laser can do is regrow bone that has already been lost, so gum disease is managed rather than cured. Holding a result depends on shortening the recall interval, often to every three or four months, and cleaning between the teeth daily at home.
The practice runs fee-for-service, meaning treatment is planned against what the examination finds rather than what a plan will reimburse, and first appointments are scheduled at around two hours. Both are deliberate choices. The long first visit is also where airway screening fits, and that is not a routine part of most dental exams: worn or cracked teeth, a scalloped tongue edge and morning headaches are signs a dentist tends to see before anyone else does, and they can point toward clenching or disordered breathing overnight rather than toward a purely dental problem. Staff turnover has been low enough here that some Charleston families have been seen by the same hands across two generations. Check the fee-for-service arrangement against your budget, and the two-hour block against your calendar, before you book.
A long-established two-dentist practice on Courtenay Drive in the Charleston medical district, a few blocks from MUSC and Roper. Dr. Vicki Tatum and Dr. Celeste Granger cover general and restorative care, cosmetic work, orthodontics, TMJ treatment and gum and laser therapy, with sleep and airway assessment included in the workup. The office runs fee-for-service, schedules around two hours for a first visit, and opens Saturdays until 2pm.
Clinic Details
Parking
Free parking lot
Appointments
Online & In-Person
Best Known For
General Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Periodontics
Business Hours
| Monday(Today) | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the practice take my dental insurance?
Why is the first appointment scheduled for two hours?
Does laser gum treatment cure gum disease?
Location
Services Offered
Reviews
Smyleee Rating
Very Good
380 reviews
Smyleee Rating reflects verified profile signals, reviews, and overall care quality.
Recent Reviews
The best dentist in Charleston. Very thorough and considerate care.
Dr. Tatum and Sarah were wonderful! After “detouring” briefly for a practice closer to home, I am beyond grateful to be back with Dr. Tatum & team. Trust is priceless. Thanks, team!
Can not recommend. I was on time for my appointment but it was almost an hour before I was seen by the dentist. My appointment was for Botox injections for TMJ, something that only takes 5 minutes. My appointment was at 2pm and I was left sitting in the dentist chair and wasn’t seen by Dr. Tatum until 2:58pm. I know because I looked at my watch. The only reason I didn't get up and leave was because every so often some assistant would come and tell me it wouldn't be much longer, so I waited. While I was waiting I could hear the office manager complaining to the receptionist about a patient and he called the patient stupid. They also kept trying to push me to get treatments I did not want or need. On top of that, I had to put up with microaggressions from Dr. Tatum. I didn’t say anything at the time because I was in so much pain from the TMJ and just wanted to get the appointment over with, but what she said to me was very inappropriate.
Had a 3 o’clock appointment, and basically just sat there. Nobody really talking to me, the dentist never even came into the room to say thank you for waiting. The dental assistant was completely rude when I quedyimm on med where the dentist was, walked out at 3:26.
I honestly cannot recommend Tatum Dentistry enough. I have very severe anxiety when it comes to dental and medical appointments, and everyone in the office was absolutely phenomenal from start to finish. They made sure I felt comfortable, informed, and cared for every step of the way. They were also able to get me in incredibly quickly, which I was so grateful for, and I truly appreciated how honest and transparent they were throughout the entire process. They explained the treatment plan clearly, kept me informed, and never made me feel rushed or judged. What started as something I was genuinely anxious about ended with me leaving laughing and smiling, which says everything. Easily one of the best experiences I could have hoped for at not just a dentist office, but honestly any medical office. Thank you all so much.
Her credentials are self explanatory. Yes, she’s truly excellent. But, there is no dentist I’ve ever met like Victoria Tatum. She cares. More about her patients than I can explain. You feel it as soon as you walk in her office. It’s a connectivity that only heart can do. She treats me like family and I couldn’t imagine putting something so important as my own teeth into anyone else’s hands. She is simply the best. Love you Vicky. You’re one of a kind my friend. I’m honored to have you fix my face!
I am new to Tatum. Vicki and team helped me with my sleep apnea appliance and the experience was so good that I moved to Tatum as my permanent dentist. Great team and treat you so well! Very impressed with this practice. Honestly, never felt that way about my dentist before. Highly recommend!!
A wonderful Practice. I feel blessed to have Dr. Tatum and all the staff for our family's Dental needs. If they are accepting new patients, you should certainly consider them.
From my very first appointment, Dr. Granger made me feel genuinely valued as a patient. She takes the time to listen, explains everything clearly, and never rushes through questions or concerns. Every visit feels warm and personal—like catching up with family—because she remembers the little details and treats me with real care and kindness. I also want to highlight her assistant, Em, who is absolutely wonderful. Em is attentive, professional, and has a natural way of making you feel at ease the moment you walk in. Together, Dr. Granger and Em create an atmosphere that feels less like a dental appointment and more like being welcomed into a family that truly cares about your well-being. The whole team at Tatum Dentistry reflects that same thoughtful approach. The office is welcoming, appointments run smoothly, and the care is always thorough. I leave every visit confident and grateful to have found such an amazing team!
Reviews are aggregated from public sources.
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