Many dental schools accept walk-ins and do not require patients to make appointments.
In a study conducted by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Oral Health in 2002, nearly half of American adults were not covered by any form of dental insurance. According to the same report, 70 percent of American adults have lost at least one tooth during their lifetime because of an oral disease, and more than 11 percent of all hospital emergency room visits involved craniofacial injuries that required the services of a dentist or orthodontist. Those who aren't covered by dental insurance must pay out of pocket for any needed dental work. With the large number of dental procedures being performed every year, the bills add up, often to an unaffordable amount. One way to save money, if brushing and flossing just isn't enough, is to use the free dental services offered at many dental schools.
Services
Schools, such as New York University's College of Dentistry, Indiana University's School of Dentistry, the UCLA School of Dentistry, the School of Dental Medicine of the University at Buffalo and the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific, offer free dental services to the public that include teeth cleaning, root canals, fillings, tooth removal and denture molding. Other schools, such as Indiana University's School of Dentistry, offer free dental services but only to the homeless. Surgical procedures are performed at dental schools, but not by students; surgeries are performed by licensed oral and maxillofacial surgeons and are often viewed by students so they can learn by watching the procedure in person.
Pros
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research reports that dental schools are an excellent source of good quality, low-cost dental care services. Experienced, licensed dental professionals monitor all patient treatments that are performed by students. Providing dental services to the public offers dental students the chance to practice their skills in a real life scenario. Since the students are in school to learn, many dental services are provided for free, which will save you money since you don't have to pay for treatment. Another benefit of using dental schools is something most people may not realize -- you are helping train future dentists and helping them improve their skills.
Cons
The most obvious difference between using a professional dental practice and a dental school for oral care is the people performing the procedures. Remember, the dental treatments you receive in dental schools are performed by students -- mistakes may be made, procedures may not turn out perfectly and the service may be slow. Students are still in the process of learning and perfecting their skills, so there is no guarantee that the quality of work you receive will be that of a professional dentist. You are taking a risk by letting someone else besides a licensed dentist work on your teeth. Also, there's no guarantee that you'll be getting a lollipop when your appointment is over.
Locations
Dental schools are located all over the United States. Some dental programs are offered by schools strictly dedicated to dental education, while others are a subdivision, or department, of a larger vocational or technical school that offers multiple medical-related courses. Dental schools are located in large metropolitan areas, such as Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, as well as suburban communities, such as Buffalo. See the Resource section for a list of dental schools accredited by the American Dental Association.
