If you need dental work and the price is the obstacle, a dental school clinic is one of the most practical options to look into. Dental schools need patients so their students can learn, and many offer care at reduced fees. This guide explains how school clinics work, who does the treatment, what the trade-offs usually are, how to find an accredited program near you, and what to ask when you call.
Key takeaways
- Dental school clinics offer reduced-cost care by students supervised by licensed dentists.
- Dental hygiene schools may offer low-cost cleanings.
- Expect longer appointments, screening and sometimes waitlists.
- Find accredited programs through CODA, then contact the school directly.
How dental school clinics work
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) explains that dental schools often have clinics that let dental students gain experience treating patients while providing care at a reduced cost, and that experienced, licensed dentists closely supervise the students (NIDCR: Finding Dental Care). NIDCR also notes that dental hygiene schools may offer supervised, low-cost care as part of training dental hygienists, which can be a good option for cleanings and preventive care.
In fact, NIDCR’s first suggestion for anyone seeking low-cost dental care is to contact a dental school in their state and ask about its clinic services.
Who treats you
Most schools have several types of clinics:
- Student clinics, where dental students provide care under the supervision of licensed faculty dentists.
- Residency or graduate clinics, where licensed dentists training in a specialty, such as orthodontics, endodontics, periodontics or oral surgery, provide more advanced care under specialist faculty.
- Faculty practices at some schools, where experienced faculty dentists see patients directly, usually at fees closer to private practice.
The Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), which accredits dental education programs, describes advanced programs in disciplines including general dentistry residencies, endodontics, orthodontics, periodontics, and oral and maxillofacial surgery (CODA: Find a Program). Our article on dental specialists explained describes what each specialty does.
Pros and cons
Possible advantages
- Lower fees. NIDCR describes the care as reduced cost. Exact prices vary by school and procedure, so ask for an estimate.
- Close supervision. Work is checked by licensed faculty at key steps.
- Access to specialists. Residency clinics can offer specialty treatment that might otherwise be hard to afford.
- Thoroughness. Because students are learning, exams and treatment planning tend to be careful and well documented.
Common trade-offs
- Time. Appointments often take longer because faculty review each step, and treatment may need more visits.
- Waitlists and screening. Many schools screen new patients and accept those whose needs match what students need to learn. Some have waitlists.
- Scheduling. Clinics usually follow the academic calendar and may close or slow down during breaks.
- Emergencies. Not every school clinic takes walk-in emergencies. If you have swelling, fever or severe pain, read our guide to signs of a dental abscess and do not wait for a waitlist.
How to find an accredited program
CODA’s Find a Program search lists accredited dental education programs, and CODA says it accredits more than 1,400 programs. You can search by program type and state. Look for:
- Predoctoral dental programs (DDS or DMD schools) for general care such as exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, dentures and extractions.
- Dental hygiene programs for cleanings, X-rays and preventive care.
- Advanced programs in specialties if you need orthodontics, root canal treatment, gum treatment or oral surgery.
After you find a program, go to the school’s own website for its patient clinic page, which usually explains how to become a patient.
What to ask when you call
- Are you accepting new patients, and is there a waitlist?
- Is there a screening appointment, and what does it cost?
- Which services are available in the student clinic versus residency clinics?
- How long are appointments, and how many visits does a typical treatment take?
- Do you accept Medicaid, CHIP or dental insurance? Do you offer payment plans?
- Will I get a written treatment plan and estimate before treatment starts?
- What happens if I have a dental emergency while I am a patient?
Once you have a plan, our guide on how to read a dental treatment plan explains the codes, phases and estimates you are likely to see.
Other low-cost options
NIDCR lists several other places to look:
- Federally funded health centers, where you pay what you can afford based on income. NIDCR says health centers are in most cities and many rural areas. See our health center guide.
- Medicaid. NIDCR explains that states must provide dental benefits for children on Medicaid but can choose whether to cover adults, and that most states provide only limited adult dental services while some offer extensive services. Try our Medicaid dentist finder.
- CHIP, which NIDCR says provides dental services to children up to age 19, with coverage that varies by state.
- Medicare covers dental services only in limited situations tied to certain medical conditions or treatments. Our article on Medicare dental coverage explains the details.
Our page on low-cost dental care gathers more options in one place.
A note about scams
NIDCR warns that it does not offer dental implants, run implant clinical trials, or provide financial assistance for dental treatment, and that ads, emails or text messages claiming otherwise are likely fraudulent. Be cautious with any offer of “free implants” that asks for money or personal details up front. Go directly to a school’s official website instead.
What a first visit is often like
Many schools start with a screening appointment to see whether your needs fit their clinics. If you are accepted, you may be assigned to a student or resident who will review your health history, take any needed X-rays and do a full exam with a faculty dentist. The team then builds a treatment plan, which you can review before any work begins. Bring a list of your medicines and any recent X-rays or records from another dentist to save time.
Because each step may be checked by faculty, plan for longer visits and be patient with the pace. Many patients find the trade-off worth it for the lower cost and careful attention.
Frequently asked questions
Is care at a dental school safe?
NIDCR notes that experienced, licensed dentists closely supervise students. Ask the clinic how supervision works for your treatment.
How much cheaper is a dental school?
It varies by school and procedure. NIDCR describes the care as reduced cost; ask the clinic for its fee schedule or an estimate.
Can I get emergency care at a dental school?
Some schools run urgent-care clinics and some do not. Call ahead. For facial swelling with trouble breathing or swallowing, go to an emergency room.
Do dental schools take insurance?
Many accept some insurance plans or Medicaid, but policies differ. Ask when you call.
Can dental hygiene students clean my teeth?
Yes, at many dental hygiene schools. NIDCR notes that dental hygiene schools may offer supervised, low-cost care as part of training. This is often a good fit for cleanings and preventive visits, while fillings and other restorative work are handled at dental schools.
Do I need a referral?
Usually not. Most school clinics let you request an appointment directly. Some specialty residency clinics may ask for records or a referral from your dentist, so check when you call.
Sources
By the Dentist Review Editorial Team.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your own situation. See our disclaimer.
Featured image: “Outside of the UCLA School of Dentistry – Photo credit Christelle Nahas” by Christelle Nahas, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 2.5. Resized and compressed for the web.
Our guides are written and reviewed by the Dentist Review editorial team. We research each topic using public, authoritative sources such as the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR), the American Dental Association (ADA) and CMS, and we update guides when guidance changes. Guides are for general information only and are not dental or medical advice; please read our disclaimer and learn more about us.