Becoming a Comprehensive Care Patient in the Student Clinics

Patients who wish to receive full, comprehensive dental care will participate in a two-step appointment process to determine if their dental needs and expectations can be met in the student clinics.

1^st Appointment - Screening

You will have a brief oral evaluation. A faculty dentist will discuss your dental needs and concerns with you and determine if your treatment is appropriate for the student clinics. You will be asked if you can commit to longer appointments and treatment that will take longer. The screening is not a complete examination and we are unable to provide a definitive diagnosis, treatment plan, or cost estimates at this appointment. Dental treatment will not begin at this appointment. If approved, you will be assigned to one of the student clinics. A $10.00 examination fee will be charged for this appointment.  Fees for radiographs will be charged separately. For this appointment you can also expect to:

• Complete a registration form, health questionnaire, and financial agreement.
• Bring current insurance cards, including Iowa Medicaid (Title 19).
• Bring current radiographs (x-rays) on film or compact disc. (If additional radiographs are needed, they will be taken at the first or second appointment and you will be charged accordingly.)

2^nd Appointment - Comprehensive Examination

Your second appointment will be with a student provider who will complete a thorough tooth-by-tooth examination.  At this appointment, you will be given a treatment plan outlining and prioritizing your dental needs and an estimate of cost and time required for treatment.

• A non-refundable $45 examination fee will be charged.
• If a dental cleaning is desired or necessary, it will be provided at a separate appointment.

Important information about your dental care in the student clinics:

• Clinic hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The College is closed on University holidays.
• The College of Dentistry is an Iowa Medicaid (Title 19) provider and accepts most dental insurance plans.  The College is also a participating provider in the Iowa Dental Wellness Plan.
• Payment for services, including insurance co-payments, is expected after each appointment
• Lower fees in the student clinics are offered as compensation for more time in the dental chair. Appointments are usually scheduled for all morning or all afternoon. More appointments are required for treatment in student clinics than with a private dentist.
• We ask for a 48-hour notice if you need to reschedule or cancel an appointment.
• Patients are asked to make care arrangements for young children and dependent adults during dental appointments.
• An hourly fee is charged for parking.

Emergency Dental Treatment

Patients who have a dental emergency and are new to the College of Dentistry or returning after an interruption in treatment, receive limited emergency care, with priority given for the relief of pain or swelling. There may be an unavoidable waiting period due to the unpredictability of emergencies.

A $38.00 non-refundable fee will be charged for a problem-focused examination. You will be charged for additional radiographs and for dental treatment provided. Additional appointments may be necessary to complete the final treatment, and a cost estimate can be provided to you.

To make an appointment, call 319-335-7499.