Sara E. Holden DDS, MSD

Periodontist in Lexington, SC

Dr. Holden earned her Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Minor in Spanish from The Pennsylvania State University and Schreyer Honors College. While attending Penn State, she completed her honors studies in Architecture and became a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society. Following her undergraduate studies, she completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery, Masters of Science in Dentistry and Certificate in Periodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University / Medical College of Virginia.

Prior to moving to South Carolina, Dr. Holden practiced Periodontics with her father in State College, PA where she was born and raised. She also retains several professional affiliations with the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, and the Northeastern Society of Periodontists. She holds dental licenses in South Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Dr. Holden became board certified in Periodontics in 2022. Becoming a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology entailed rigorous additional study as well as written and oral examination.

Additional recognitions:

• American Board of Periodontology Diplomate – recognized as having a high degree of knowledge, skill and experience in the Science and Art of Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery
• The American Academy of Periodontology 2018 Dental Student Award
• American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award
• Pierre Fauchard Award
• A.D. Williams Student Research Fellowship – 2016-2017
• AADR Student Research Fellowship – 2017                                                                                               

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

• American Academy of Periodontology
• American Dental Association
• Northeastern Society of Periodontists
• Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society
• The Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society

While not at the office, Dr. Holden enjoys spending time with her husband, traveling, finding and enjoying new restaurants and cuisines, exercise, continuing education in her field and movie marathons. 

RESEARCH:

• Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Periodontics
  • The Effect of Quercetin in Periodontal Inflammation
    • A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University.
  • A20 Orchestrates Inflammatory Response in the Oral Mucosa through Restraining NF-κB Activity
    • D. Williams Student Research Fellowship 2017-2018
    • Selected by the School of Dentistry Research Committee to represent the school in the 2017 AADR Student Research Fellowship Award competition
    • Selected by the AADR for the 2017 AADR Student Research Fellowship
  • The effect of a small molecule inhibitor targeted to TLR9 signaling in reducing periodontal inflammation
    • D. Williams Student Research Fellowship 2016-2017