MEET DARREN CROSS, DDS MD

Board Certified Oral Surgeon

Dr. Darren R. Cross grew up in Cambria Heights, New York. He majored in Pre-Med at the University of  Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. His Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree was received from Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. A Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) was obtained from Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. His Certificate in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) was awarded from Howard University Hospital. He was named Chief Resident of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Howard University, District of Columbia and Veterans Administration Hospitals in Washington, D.C. A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree was received from the University of Health Sciences Antigua School Medicine in St. John, West Indies.        

Dr. Cross is double board certified and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, National Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. Dr. Cross was a Clinical Instructor and Attending in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Cross is past President of the National Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the South Carolina Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is a member of the American and National Dental Associations. Dr. Cross is past Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Palmetto Health Richland and Baptist Hospitals in Columbia, SC. He is formerly the Attending Physician of the District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission. Dr. Cross received the “Senior Oral Surgery” award at Howard University College of Dentistry. He was awarded the “Chief Resident of the Year” award at Howard University, District of Columbia and Veterans Administration Hospitals in Washington D.C. Dr. Cross is certified in Advanced Cardiac and Basic Life Support. He has been a member of the Executive Board of Trustees at Oak Hill Academy High School in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Dr. Cross has been a volunteer for the Columbia (SC) Children’s Dental Clinic. Research includes the “Use of Propofol versus Methohexitol in Outpatient Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery” and “Meperidine Hydrochloride versus Ketorolac Tromethamine” in the Postoperative Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Patient”.

His areas of interests are wisdom teeth removal, computer guided dental implant surgery, surgical teeth extractions, craniofacial reconstruction, oral and maxillofacial trauma, bone grafting, pre-prosthetic surgery, oral and maxillofacial pathology, intravenous and general anesthesia.

Dr. Cross played point guard and lettered in Division I basketball at the University of Virginia and Jacksonville University (FL). He attended and captained the legendary men’s varsity basketball team for three years at Oak Hill Academy High School where he was first team All State and an Honorable Mention All-American.

Dr. Cross, his wife Pamela, and daughters Bria and Morgan reside in Durham, NC. They are the proud parents of four Maltese dogs (Cody, Jodie, CJ and PJ). In his spare time Dr. Cross enjoys traveling with his family, attending church, volunteering, mentoring to youth and playing golf. He and his family are thankful and honored to be a part of the Gaston County Community.

Education:

1980: Pre-Med, University of Virginia – Charlottesville, VA           

1984: B.S. Biology Jacksonville University – Jacksonville, FL

1988: D.D.S. Howard University College of Dentistry – Washington, DC

1991: Certificate, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Howard University Hospital – Washington, DC

2001: M.D. University of Health Sciences School of Medicine – St. Johns, W.I.

Licensure – North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC

Professional Experience:

2015 – 2016: Present: Private Practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – Charlotte, North Carolina

2011 – 2013: Clear Choice Dental Implant Center – Fort Mill, South Carolina

2000 – 2016: Private Practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – Columbia, South Carolina

1991 – 1999: Private Practice in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Academic Appointments:

1991 – 1999: Attending, Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Temple University Hospital – Pennsylvania

1991 – 1999: Clinical Instructor, Dept. of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Temple University Dental School

Certifications:

Diplomate, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Re-Certified, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Diplomate, National Dental Board of Anesthesiology

National Board of Dental Examiners (Parts I and II)

Southern Regional Testing Agency

Northeast Regional Board of Dentistry

Advanced Cardiac Life Support

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Adult & Pediatric Basic Life Support

Professional Organizations:

Fellow, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Fellow, American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Fellow, National Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, National Society

Fellow, International Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Fellow, American Dental Society of Anesthesiologists

Fellow, South Carolina Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

American Dental Association

National Dental Association

Executive Member Board of Trustees Oak Hill Academy

Professional Awards and Honors:

President, National Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Chairman, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Palmetto Health Hospitals

Chief Resident, Dept. of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Howard University Hospital

Chief Resident of the Year District of Columbia General Hospital

Attending Physician, District of Columbia Boxing and Wrestling Commission

Howard University College of Dentistry Senior Oral Surgery Award

Areas of Interests:

Impacted Wisdom Teeth, Dental Implants, Bone Grafting, Craniofacial Reconstruction, Oral and Facial Pathology, 3D CBCT DentaI implant Treatment Planning, General Anesthesia and Intravenous Sedation