Becoming a patient at the UF College of Dentistry DMD-Student Dental Clinic
Thank you for your interest in becoming a patient with the college’s DMD-Student Dental Clinic. In our clinic, DMD students provide dental treatment under the close supervision of a faculty member in a professional learning environment. We provide high-quality treatment at a reduced rate.
DMD-Student Dental Clinic patients must be willing to attend extended appointments, since the students are perfecting techniques and may take longer than a practicing dentist. Also, we select patients through a screening process to ensure that they’re appropriate for the educational experiences our students need
Screening
- There is a $30 fee for the screening appointment.
- The fee covers the cost of the limited oral exam and X-rays. A faculty member, experienced in selecting patients that match the educational needs of our students, performs the screening.
- The fee is only paid if you are accepted to be screened as a patient; please do not send any payment with your application.
- Screening doesn’t guarantee your acceptance as a patient.
- Please note: Only the patient is permitted in the clinic during appointments. For the protection of children (or adults with special needs) who are with you. There must be adult supervision at all times.
Patient selection and appointments
- The enclosed form is a pre-screening form. Please complete it and mail it back to us. Accepted applicants will be contacted by an appointment coordinator.
- Patient selection is based on matching the applicant’s needs to the student dentist skill level.
- The students in the DMD-Student Dental Clinic need to treat patients who need comprehensive (all-inclusive) dental services and need procedures that range from simple to moderately difficult: a combination of dental cleanings, fillings, simple extractions/root canals, crowns, bridges, and/or dentures.
- If you are screened and not selected as a patient we will notify you by mail.
- Selected patients must commit to at least two, three-hour appointments each month until the treatment plan is completed or the patient is referred to another dentist. The average time to complete treatment can be 12 months or longer.
Fees
- The college does not provide free dental care.
- DMD-Student Dental Clinic fees are generally less than in private practice. Patients are required to pay for routine care at each appointment.
- Screening fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome of screening appointment.
- If you have an outstanding balance with any UF College of Dentistry clinic, you will not be considered for a screening appointment.
Other important points
- If you are screened and not selected for treatment with the DMD-Student Dental Clinic, you may be referred to the college’s Faculty Practice, one of our graduate programs, or be advised to contact a private practice dentist.
- For persons 13 years of age and younger, please call our Pediatric Dental Clinic at 352-273-7643 for more information.
- For dental emergencies, consisting of pain, swelling and fever, please call 352-273-6705 for information about our emergency dental services, or seek care at your nearest hospital emergency department.
- If you and a family member or friend would prefer to schedule your screening appointments together, we can arrange that for the screening appointment only. However, if you are selected as a patient, it is not likely we can schedule your future dental appointments at the same time as your friends and family.
- Patients must show a valid photo ID and confirmation of current mailing address at every appointment. If your mailing address is different than what is on your photo ID, you can confirm your mailing address with a current utility bill.