The first step in making an application to participate in our program is to arrange for an interview and initial examination to determine if your treatment needs would qualify you as a potential teaching case. Some patients will not qualify for treatment in our student clinic at the School of Dentistry because their treatment needs are not within the parameters of the educational program. Appointments may be made by phone at 612-624-8400 or in person at the School of Dentistry 7th floor Registration Area.
Teaching cases are selected based on the needs of the clinical education programs. Therefore, not all people can be accepted since we have limited capacity in some treatment clinics.
At your screening appointment, a limited exam and other diagnostic aids such as x-rays may be ordered. If selected, our Patient Assignment Area will match your treatment needs with a student dentist and you will be contacted for future dental appointments.
There are separate phone numbers to register to become a patient for our Pediatric Clinic (children’s dentistry) and Orthodontic Clinic (braces). The Pediatric Clinic can be reached at 612-625-7171 and the Orthodontics Clinic at 612-625-6444.
Patients should consider the amount of time necessary to complete their care at the University of Minnesota Dental School to make sure this will not impose any undue hardship. Your student dentist will also have periodic educational breaks similar to other teaching institutions and during these times the patient clinics are not open for routine dental appointments.