West Virginia University School of Dentistry Clinics

Patient Services Information

Phone (304) 293-6208

Emergency Treatment 24/7
DENTAL EMERGENCY TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
1-800-982-8242

Welcome to the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Clinics. The School of Dentistry is available to provide comprehensive dental care to adults and children of all ages. While we place special emphasis on teaching, the oral health care needs of our patients are most important to us. We employ the most advanced techniques and equipment in a comfortable and supportive environment, thus providing you with the safest and highest quality dental care possible.

Available Services

• Diagnostic Services - Examinations, x-rays, imaging, temporomandibular joint problems, special tests
• Preventive Services & Dental Hygiene - Cleaning, fluoride treatments, sealants, space maintainers
• Restorative Services - Fillings, bonding, cosmetic dentistry
• Dentistry for Children & Adolescents
• Dental Rural Health - Community education and service
• Endodontics - Root canal therapy, bleaching, surgery
• Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology - Tissue examination
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery - Extractions, impactions, biopsies,
  corrective jaw surgery, sedations and general anesthesia
• Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics - Tooth and jaw alignment for children and adults
• Periodontics - Treatment of gum and bone diseases
• Prosthodontics - Crowns, bridges, dentures, partials, implants
• Maxillofacial Prosthetics - Cleft lip & palate, reconstructive surgery, and prostheses

Clinic Hours

School of Dentistry clinics are open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

Emergency Treatment 24/7
DENTAL EMERGENCY TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

For emergencies which arise from Monday through Friday during normal business hours, patients can receive attention on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis in the dental school emergency clinic. When emergency treatment is necessary after normal business hours from Monday through Friday and during weekends or holidays, you may call the WVU Healthline at 1-800-982-8242 to discuss your problem and arrange your treatment.

Clinic Location and Parking

The dental school clinics are located on the first floor of Health Sciences North in the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University. While you are approaching the Health Sciences Center, a security officer will provide you with specific instructions for parking. You may locate the dental school patient admission area by entering the front of the Health Sciences Center at the Family Medicine entrance of McQuain Pavilion.

Handicap parking is located at the front of the Health Sciences Center. Wheelchairs are available at the dental school patient admissions desk. Patients requiring a wheelchair upon arrival should make arrangements with their student prior to every appointment.

Student Clinics

All treatment rendered in the student clinics is performed under the direct supervision of experienced faculty who ensure that every aspect of your treatment meets professional standards of care. This close supervision provides you with the best opportunity for quality care.

Student clinics are held weekdays from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 1:00 pm to 4:45 pm. These clinics are closed for short periods during University holidays, between semesters, and for a short summer break to accommodate University academic schedules. However, School of Dentistry faculty, residents, and staff remain available to accommodate patient needs during these times.

Scheduling Appointments

To schedule your appointment, call (304) 293-6208 during normal business hours.

Your First Appointment

During your first appointment, you will register and be asked for personal information which will allow us to complete a medical and dental history. This information is necessary to provide you with the safest dental care possible. X-ray films will be obtained, if necessary. A dentist will examine your mouth and discuss any findings with you. If recent x-ray films are available from another office, please arrange to bring them to your first appointment along with any other pertinent medical information. At the end of your visit, you will be advised as to whether your oral health needs can be managed in the student clinics. If so, you will be given additional information regarding student clinic policies and procedures and you will be advised we will make every effort to assign you to a dental student in a timely fashion to begin treatment.

UHA Dental Practice

If your oral health care needs cannot be accommodated in the student clinics or if you prefer treatment by a postdoctoral student or a faculty member, the UHA Dental Practice provides a private practice setting where your care can be managed. The Practice offers a wide range of general dental services for the family, in addition to state-of-the-art specialty services.

WVU School of Dentistry/UHA Dental Practice Payment Policy

ALL CLINICS

• The cost of your treatment will be explained to you. Fees documented on Treatment Plans are estimated. Actual treatment costs are based on the fee that is in effect when a procedure is started.

• For elective care, payment in full is expected at the time of service. Cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted.

• Patients who fail to pay in full at the time of service will not be rescheduled for elective services until full payment is received. Exceptions may occur where unusual situations exist. These exceptions will be at the sole discretion of the Office of Clinic Administration.

• INSURANCE COVERAGE: Payment in full is expected at the time of service, regardless of insurance coverage. At each visit, we will collect or update your insurance information so we can submit claims on your behalf. Any requests from your insurance carrier for additional information will be fulfilled. Your insurance carrier should reimburse you directly, in accordance with your plan. If we have a contract with your carrier, you may only be responsible for co-pays or deductibles at the time of service.

STUDENT CLINICS

• If laboratory services are required for a particular treatment, the fee for that treatment must be pre-paid in full before the lab work can be started.

FACULTY AND RESIDENT CLINICS

• A 10% discount will be applied to charges that are paid in full via cash or check. A 5% discount will be applied when paid in full via MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. If the resident or faculty fee charged is less than our customary fee for that treatment, payment at the time of service discounts will not be offered.

• If laboratory services are required for a particular treatment, a down payment of 50% of the fee for that treatment is required before the lab work can be started.

PATIENT CARE FINANCING (all clinics)

• Interest-free financing is available to qualified applicants. The amount financed must exceed $500. There is no initial payment required. Depending on the amount financed, payment plans are available for periods of 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months.

• Longer-term financing (12 to 60 months) is also available to qualified applicants. NOTE: These plans are NOT interest free. No initial payment is required.

Please contact our Billing Office at (304) 293-6129 if you have additional questions.

Need More Information?

If you need more information, please contact the WVU Dental Group Practice at (304) 293-6208, Health Sciences North.

Thank you for considering the WVU School of Dentistry for your oral health care. We believe that quality service to our patients is best achieved through mutual understanding and cooperation. Questions regarding your treatment, our services, or fees are always welcome.

The School of Dentistry operates a strong community-based clinical training program. For nearly 15 years, the dental school, in partnership with its alumni, has provided services to underserved populations throughout rural West Virginia and currently maintains 38 training sites for dental and dental hygiene students.

The community-based training program is an active participant in the West Virginia Rural Health Education Partnerships (WVRHEP), which is comprised of 12 regional community consortia from 53 underserved counties.  While on community-based rotation, students reside in the community, provide direct patient care under the supervision of their preceptors, carry out community service projects, and participate in interdisciplinary sessions.

Project Accomplishments

• A series of faculty development programs supplied strategies for creating and sustaining inclusive educational and patient care environments. 
• The School has capitalized on opportunities to inform oral health care providers, policy makers, health educators and the laity about oral health access issues (e.g., workshop on cultural barriers and interventions at a state rural health conference).
• The dental curriculum has been revised to incorporate cultural competency training.   
• A structured URM/LI student recruitment program has strengthened alliances with pre-health professions college advisors.  Targeted campus visits and Northeast Regional Recruitment Collaborative (NERRC) pre-health advisor workshops are creating stronger linkages with advisors and prospective dental applicants at feeder institutions. 
• A comprehensive two-week summer enrichment program has been instituted for URM/LI college students.  Career exploration programs for middle through high school students have captured the dental career interests of over 100 URM/LI students. 
• Partnership with a four-year college has resulted in establishment of an early admission program,  Retention through Early Acceptance Program for Dental Students in the Eastern Panhandle (REAP/DENTSTEP). 
• A welcome program and dinner has been instituted to bring together URM/LI dental students with the School’s faculty, leaders and alumni for celebration and reflection.