Emergency Dental Care (2024)

Emergency Dental Care (1)

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Referral Information for Patients

Are you being referred to us by an existing dental provider?

Crowns and other single restorative procedures: you need to be a patient of record and have all your dental treatment done here; referrals for crowns and other restorative procedures will not be accepted.

Extractions/Oral Surgery: If you are experiencing dental pain, you can come to our Emergency Services clinic and they can refer you for oral surgery. In non-emergency situations, you must obtain a referral and then call our Oral Surgery Department at 415.929.6473.

Endodontics: Please obtain a written referral so we have medical documentation of the issue for which you are seeking treatmentand then call the main clinic at 415.929.6501 to register for a screening appointment.

We are not accepting patients at this time for

  • Orofacial Pain
  • Special Care and Hospital Dentistry
  • Periodontics

We have compiled a list of resources and referrals to dental services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Download in English, Spanish and Chinese from the links below.

English

Spanish

Chinese

We remain vigilant to ensure the safety of patients who seek care in our clinics as well as providers and other staff. Infection control has always been our top priority, and our infection control processes ensure that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. All our clinics follow infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the guidelines of these agencies so that we are up to date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

As we continue to protect all who seek and provide care in our clinics, please note the following:

  • As of 4/3/2023 masks are optional for patients in our clinical areas.
  • If you feel unwell, please let us know as soon as possible so we can reschedule your appointment.

Your student doctor will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and appreciate you for making the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry your dental home.

ER protocol beginning Monday, June 21

  • Emergency services are first-come, first-served based on availability. Please note that the wait time to be seen in emergency can be prolonged due to the nature of emergencies presenting. The Emergency Clinic is located on the 2nd floor in clinic 2D. Emergency hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with no patients seen between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. We begin registering for Emergency appointments at 8:00 am and 1:00 pm. However, patients are advised to arrive earlier than these registration times to get in line, as we have limited appointments available and they fill up quickly. Please note that in order to provide adequate time for appropriate care, patient intake will close at 3:00 pm. There is no guarantee that you will be seen in Emergency if you show up, as we only have a limited number of slots available each session.
  • If you are already a patient of the school, in active treatment, with an assigned student dentist, please contact your student dentist to arrange an emergency visit.
  • Patients who have already been screened but not accepted as patients of the school because their required treatment was too complex and beyond the scope of dental students' ability, are not eligible for dental school emergency services.
  • We cannot guarantee same-day availability but will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Please note that some root canals may be too complex for our dental students and you may be referred to an outside provider.
  • Please see Fees and Payment Plans below.

Upcoming Clinic Closure Schedule

Monday, June 10: Last day of Spring Quarter
Tuesday, June 11 – Friday, June 14: Clinics Closed, ER services for active patients of record only
Monday, June 17: HOLIDAY CLOSURE
Tuesday, June 18 – Wednesday, July 3: Clinics Closed, ER services for active patients of record only
Thursday, July 4: HOLIDAY CLOSURE
Friday, July 5: Clinics Closed, ER services for active patients of record only
Monday, July 8 – Friday, July 12: ER services open to all on first-come, first-served basis

Forurgent dental emergencies during school closure, after hours or weekend emergencies, please call 1.888.372.0892.

Overview

When you have an unexpected dental problem, we are ready to provide emergency care. We focus on relieving pain, swelling or bleeding. Care is provided by dental students who are supervised by faculty members.Our daytime emergency services are available to patients over 14 years of age.

How to Become a Patient

Our daytime emergency services are available to patients over 14 years of age. Please bring a current valid photo identification card and Denti-Cal card if you are covered by Denti-Cal.You will be asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, answer all questions on the health history form and fill out other forms. If applicable, please bring a copy of your medication list which includes dosages and frequency. If you have diabetes, please consume a meal on the day of your appointment and take your medication as directed.

Services

We offer a broad range of emergency services. Limited in scope to the emergency condition and temporary in nature, emergency treatment includes placement of temporary fillings in a sensitive tooth and beginning root canal therapy in most cases. Patients requiring extractions or other emergency surgical procedures are referred to our Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinicand will be appointed as soon as their schedule allows.

Fees and Payment Plans

Our emergency dental fees will vary depending on the procedure. Patients must pay at the time of service. We accept cash, check, credit card, most private insurance plans, and some DentiCal plans. PLEASE NOTE: There are many different types of plans under DentiCal, and we do not accept all of them. Some DentiCal plans, particularly Medicare Advantage Plans (also known as Part C), include an HMO insurance component, and we cannot accept these plans.

When you call our intake staff to be registered, we will gather your DentiCal information and check what type of plan you have, and we will contact you and let you know if we cannot accept your insurance here, prior to your first appointment. Please bring a current valid photo identification card.

Location and Hours

Emergency Care
University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
155 Fifth St.
(Patient Entrance is at the corner of Fifth Street and Minna Street)
San Francisco, CA 94103
415.929.6501

Monday through Friday, registration for emergency services begins at 8:00 am, and the afternoon session begins at 1:00 pm.

We begin registering for Emergency appointments at
8:00 am and 1:00 pm. However, patients are advised to arrive earlier than these registration times to get in line, as we have limited appointments available and they fill up quickly.

Emergency services are available year-round except during holidays and school breaks. Hours and days are subject to change based on availability.

Emergency Dental Care (2)

415.929.6501

Afterhours/Weekends: 1.888.372.0892

Emergency Dental Care (2024)

FAQs

How do you respond to a dental emergency? ›

Contact your dentist immediately for any dental problems. A tooth abscess, toothache, pain from a dental crown, and chipped or broken teeth need care and if left untreated could lead to serious dental problems. If you have a dental emergency, your dentist can tell you where to seek care.

What is the most common dental emergency? ›

The two most typical dental emergencies are toothache and gum bleeding. However, they can happen for several reasons, including dental decay, crooked teeth, infections, teeth worms, and oral injuries.

What defines a dental emergency? ›

The American Dental Association (ADA) defines dental emergencies as a collection of potentially life-threatening diagnoses requiring immediate treatment to stop bleeding, remedy the infection, and alleviate severe pain. However, not all dental emergencies put life in danger.

What is an urgent dental problem? ›

Dental unscheduled (or urgent) classification

Patients who require urgent care are those requiring attention for: • Severe dental and facial pain not controlled by over-the-counter preparations; • Dental and soft tissue acute infection.

What can the ER do for tooth pain? ›

The ER staff can get patients stabilized, control bleeding, and give treatment for dental fractures. In the case of bacterial infections, they can provide antibiotics and will arrange for transfer to the hospital if necessary. They can also treat broken, dislodged, or fractured teeth and help to control severe pain.

What are the three most common emergency in the dental office? ›

A 2018 American Dental Association survey of emergencies reported that more than 30% of respondents (N=512) had seen syncope, epinephrine reaction and/or postural hypotension within the past 12 months.

Why you should deal with a dental emergency quickly? ›

A dental emergency requires immediate attention in most instances. Certain injuries to your teeth or gums can become serious, leading to further damage. It's important to contact your dentist immediately or go to the emergency room for treatment for a dental emergency.

What are urgent conditions in dentistry? ›

Infections of dental origin prompt patients to seek emergency treatment mainly due to severe pain or swelling. These include irreversible pulpitis, pulp necrosis, periodontitis, and apical and periodontal abscesses (see Image. Dental Abscess).

How do you handle common dental emergencies? ›

Toothache
  1. Rinse your mouth well with lukewarm water.
  2. Floss to remove any food particles possibly stuck between teeth.
  3. In case of external swelling, use a cold compress on the cheek.
  4. Avoid putting a painkiller against the gums near the tooth that aches because it may cause the gum.
  5. tissue to burn.

How to stop unbearable tooth pain? ›

Do
  1. take painkillers, like ibuprofen or paracetamol (children under 16 should not take aspirin) – a pharmacist can advise you.
  2. try rinsing your mouth with salt water (children should not try this)
  3. use a pain-relieving gel for your mouth – this can be bought from pharmacies or supermarkets.

Will an emergency dentist do a filling? ›

An emergency dentist will remove any decay around the area and then replace the filling immediately with a temporary solution until you can see your regular dentist again.

How to get rid of a tooth abscess without going to the dentist? ›

Can a tooth abscess go away naturally? A tooth abscess will not go away without dental treatment. You may choose to seek relief from symptoms of a tooth abscess by trying natural remedies like saltwater rinses, baking soda, fenugreek tea, cold compresses, garlic, oil pulling, essential oil, or hydrogen peroxide rinses.

What is the strongest natural antibiotic for tooth infection? ›

What is the strongest natural antibiotic for tooth infection? Clove oil is one of the strongest natural antibiotics for tooth infections. Clove oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with a tooth infection.

Can you be hospitalized for a tooth infection? ›

If you have a severe infection, your tooth may need to be removed, or you may need surgery to drain the abscess. Some people may need to be admitted to the hospital.

Is tooth decay an emergency? ›

As the decay penetrates deeper into the tooth, it can reach the sensitive inner layers, including the dentin and pulp. This can cause tooth sensitivity, pain, and even infection. At this point, a cavity becomes a dental emergency and requires immediate attention from a Mission Valley emergency dentist.

How do you respond to an emergency? ›

10 Tips to Keep in Mind When Responding to an Emergency
  1. Avoid Panicking. ...
  2. Ensure Your Safety. ...
  3. The ABCs of Life Support. ...
  4. Check for Bleeding. ...
  5. Check for Signs of Shock. ...
  6. Call 911 or Emergency Services ASAP. ...
  7. Check for Emergency Identification. ...
  8. Loosen the Victim's Clothing.
May 17, 2024

How do you respond to someone going to the dentist? ›

You'll see that you will recover soon and we all are visiting you there. Good luck! So, yes, we can say "Good luck" to someone who is going to get medical treatment, including dental one. The natural reply should be something like "Bye" or "Come back soon", depending on who is replying.

How do you triage dental emergencies? ›

Dental Triage: Questions To Ask
  1. Where is the issue? Which side? ...
  2. Is the patient currently in pain? ...
  3. Is the pain getting better or worse?
  4. Is there pain to hot or cold temperatures?
  5. Is swelling occurring?
  6. Is the patient currently taking any medication for the pain? ...
  7. Has there been previous dental treatment in the area?

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