Columbia

Dr. Chris Collins was born in Columbia, SC, and raised in nearby Cayce. He attended Brookland-Cayce High School where he graduated in 1989. Dr. Collins graduated from The University of South Carolina in 1993 with a B.S. in Biology. Following his time in Columbia, he spent the next 4 years in Charleston, SC at the Medical University of South Carolina where he earned a degree in 1997.

Dr. Collins then spent the next 20 years in Saluda, SC where he practiced for 15 of those in a rural setting. This atmosphere helped him acquire the skills necessary to work with children. On-the-job training with pediatric dentists allowed Dr. Collins to implement a “Kids Day” each week in his practice. Seeing how he enjoyed helping children he eventually found himself practicing every day in a children’s office in Irmo, SC. Since 2014 Dr. Collins has worked exclusively with children in a dental setting.

Dr. Collins has 3 children attending college or graduate school as of 2022. He enjoys time with neighbors in his tiny home community and watching sports of any kind.

Dr. Darren Thompson is a native of Columbia, SC, where he also attended grade school. He graduated from Winthrop University with a B. S. degree in Biology. He completed his dental training at Howard University College of Dentistry. After dental school, Dr. Thompson moved to New York, NY where he attended Columbia University to further his training in general dentistry. Following his general practice training in NYC, Dr. Thompson moved to Spartanburg, SC where he was the dental director at Regenesis Health Care Family Dentistry.

In July of 2014, Dr. Thompson decided to follow his passion and return to Howard University to obtain a specialty in pediatric dentistry. What Dr. Thompson loves most about being a pediatric dentist are the amazing kids he gets to interact with. He feels wonderfully blessed to be able to experience the world through the eyes of a child.

Dr. Thompson is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity Inc. In his spare time, Dr. Thompson enjoys traveling, exercising, and spending time with family and friends.