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 treatment and 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 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.
Monday, December 16: New patients only (last day of clinic).
Tuesday, December 17: Emergency services available for active patients of record only. Emergency services are first-come, first-served based on availability. Intake sessions begin at 8:00 am until 1:00 pm.
Wednesday, December 18 through Monday, December 23: Emergency services available for active patients of record only. Emergency services are first-come, first-served based on availability. Intake sessions begin at 8:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 through Thursday, January 2, 2025: Clinic is closed.
Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3, 2025: Emergency services available for active patients of record and new patients.
For more ER information, please visit our website or call 415.929-6501. Emergency services are first-come, first-served based on availability. Please note: the wait time to be seen in emergency can be prolonged due to the nature of the emergencies presenting. 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. Intake sessions are at 8:00 am until 3:00 pm unless otherwise stated. For urgent 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.
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 Clinic and will be appointed as soon as their schedule allows.
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.
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.
