The Art of Comfort: Dr. Lucia Covington, owner of Waccamaw Oral Surgery & Medical Spa, is committed to making her patients feel at ease.

By Ashley Daniels

Growing up in Manning, South Carolina, Dr. Lucia Covington originally thought she wanted to be a cardiologist.

“My grandparents had tons of heart issues and lived in the same town as us,” she says.

That is despite one of her grandfathers being the general surgeon in town, the other grandfather being a veterinarian, and her father practicing dentistry for 37 years. But Covington’s medical career path would go in an entirely different direction.

She graduated with honors from the College of Charleston with a degree in biological sciences and from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), where she received her Doctorate in Dental Medicine in 2009.

“I was always really good at art since the fourth grade,” says Covington. “And dentistry is kind of an art. You put stuff together and make patients feel good and look good, so I thought that would be fulfilling to be able to make somebody feel better about themselves.”

During her oral surgery residency and specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at MUSC, Covington received training in anesthesia, plastic surgery, trauma, general surgery, pediatric surgery, neurosurgery, and cardiology. Her core curriculum at MUSC included anesthesia, physical diagnosis, and patient assessment. As a specialist in dentoalveolar surgery, she was trained in teeth extraction, bone grafting, dental implants, temporomandibular surgery, orthognathic surgery, reconstructive surgery, and dental pathology.

Today, these are all services provided at Waccamaw Oral Surgery & Medical Spa, which Dr. Covington opened in 2013 and serves as the sole surgeon. The aesthetics services (tattoo removal, skin revitalization and tightening, Botox, laser hair removal, and more) began in 2017. The aesthetics in her office is considered a Cynosure Center of Excellence.

“I think people come to me because I’m not judgmental,” says Covington. “I feel like I’m relatable and approachable. I listen, and I’m not trying to rush through things. One doctor once told me the first thing you should do is walk in the room, introduce yourself, and you sit down and listen.

“That’s what is important,” she continues. “Ultimately, I’m here to listen to their story and help anybody if I can. And if I can’t, I direct them in the right direction to get the aid that is helpful instead of wasteful. Mm-Hmm. I feel that, nowadays, people are trying to just meet a quota and a goal and they’re not trying to fix a problem. They’re trying to pacify the problem, but not take away the source of the problem. I’m here to figure out the issue and fix it for them to feel better, whether it’s about infections, or to replace a tooth, or to do a scar remodel or to go over to the spa side and we are just getting rid of simple things that bother you, like fine lines and wrinkles or your birthmark or pigmentation lines. … Ultimately, on both sides, I am here to help people feel better about themselves internally and externally.”

Dr. Covington also applauds her wonderful staff and their passion for assessing each patient’s goals, comfort levels, and treatment options.

On a visit to her oral surgery office, you will most likely see Boston Terrier emotional support dogs there for the staff and the patients. Covington says she is a huge supporter of animal rescue. She recently hosted a Botox and Bones fundraiser for All4Paws. She also supports Children’s Recovery Center, Lions Club, Murrells Inlet 2020, Toys for Tots, Downtown Pawleys Live, and Special Olympics, as well as local education, such as Waccamaw Schools, Socastee Schools, St. James High School and Performing Arts, and Georgetown High School.

Dr. Covington is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Dental Association, South Carolina Dental Association, Pee Dee Dental Society, Grand Strand Dental Society (past vice president in 2015 and president in 2016), Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and Murrells Inlet 2020. Because many of her family members have served in many branches of the military, she offers her services at the Charleston VA Hospital. She has been voted “Best of the Inlet Oral Surgeon” from 2013-2022 and Trademark Women of Distinction in 2019.

Outside of the office, Covington loves spending quality time with her husband Wes, their daughter, and their two adorable Boston Terriers, Fynn and Sammy, as well as offshore fishing, playing tennis and basketball, painting, going to the beach, and traveling. For more information on Waccamaw Oral Surgery & Medical Spa, visit www.waccamawos.com.