New Patient Information

Patient care is provided by several divisions of the School of Dentistry:

Dental Faculty Practice

Care is delivered by faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) School of Dentistry. The Dental Faculty Practice consists of 12 departments and groups. Comprehensive, general and specialized dental care are provided. Comprehensive care may necessitate appointments with more than one Practice member. To become a patient in the Dental Faculty Practice, read the New Patient information.

Student Clinics

Care is delivered by students who are enrolled in the doctorate in dental surgery program (D.D.S.) and allied dental education programs (dental hygiene students and dental assisting). Dental services are provided in all areas of dental care including fillings, crowns and bridges, complete and partial dentures, implants, gum treatment, root canals, and extractions. Preventive care is also provided. Treatment is provided to both adults and children.

Treatment can be rendered within several months in some cases, but may take up to three years for more complex problems. In order to manage treatment in a timely fashion, patients are asked to be available for at least two three-hour dental sessions each month.

Treatment for patients having unusually severe or complicated dental needs may not be appropriate for treatment within the Student Dental Clinics. Patients accepted for treatment provide practical clinical experiences for students and receive high-quality care at greatly reduced fees relative to those found in private practice. Unfortunately, there are many more people seeking treatment in Student Clinics than we can accept. To become a patient in Student Clinics, read the New Patient information.

Graduate Student Clinics

Care is delivered by dentists who are seeking advanced education or are becoming specialists. Fees are lower than those found in private practice but are higher than those in Student Clinics. To learn about available services and how to become a patient, read about the 12 Graduate Student Clinics.

Pediatric Dentistry Clinics

On the day of your child’s first appointment please try to arrive 15 minutes early since there are some forms which will need to be completed. Also because of state and federal laws, your child must be accompanied to this first visit by his/her legal guardian. If the legal guardian is anyone other than a parent, then legal documentation of guardianship must be brought to the appointment.

Based on what the dentist finds during the examination, dental x-rays may be taken. Also, a dental cleaning and fluoride treatment will be performed. Once this is completed the dentist will review the findings and treatment options along with discussing home care and nutrition with you and your child.

Prior to the dental visit your child may ask you what the visit will be like. We encourage you to talk to your child about the upcoming visit but we strongly request that you be aware of the following points:

1. If you experience anxiety prior to your own dental visits please do not make your child aware of this. This could have a negative impact on your child’s first visit.
2. Try to avoid using words that may cause anxiety such as “needle”, “shot” or “hurt”. Be assured that we will explain the dental procedures to your child using words that they will understand but will not be so frightening.

If you are unable to keep your child’s appointment please give 24 hours notice. Parking is available for a fee in the Dogwood Deck. Finally, payment for dental services is due the day services are rendered.

To schedule an appointment at the Pediatric Dentistry Clinics, please follow these instructions:

• For children ages 6 months to 3 years, call (919) 966-2743 to make a screening appointment.
• For children ages 4 to early adolescence, call (919) 966-6474 to receive an application for a screening appointment for your child or download applications from this site in English or Spanish.

Payment methods accepted include cash, personal check and major credit cards (MasterCard and VISA). Health Choice and Medicaid also are accepted.

For more information, please visit http://www.dent.unc.edu/patient/clinics/pediatric/

General & Oral (GO) Health Center

The GO Health Center conducts a variety of clinical research. For more information, visit the GO Health Center Homepage.

UNC Craniofacial Center

The University of North Carolina Craniofacial Center consists of an interdisciplinary team of professionals dedicated to the care of the patient and family with cleft lip, cleft palate, and other craniofacial anomalies. For more information, visit the UNC Craniofacial Homepage. Health care professionals needing consultation services or desiring to make a referral may call our Patient Care Coordinator at (919) 966-0426.

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