Experiencing sudden dental discomfort, swelling, or in need of immediate dental intervention? The University of Washington School of Dentistry’s Dental Urgent Care Clinic in Seattle is dedicated to providing prompt and effective oral diagnosis and emergency care services to address your pressing dental concerns. Open to the public, our clinic offers expert assessment and treatment for a modest fee, ensuring you receive timely care when you need it most.
What to Expect from Our Emergency Dental Services
At our Oral Diagnosis And Emergency Care Clinic, we prioritize addressing urgent and emergent dental needs. Our comprehensive services include thorough assessments, precise diagnoses, and effective treatments aimed at alleviating pain and managing dental emergencies. We offer a range of pain-relieving treatments, such as temporary and routine fillings, sedative procedures, and acute periodontal care to manage swelling and abscesses. For cases requiring tooth removal, we perform routine extractions and provide incision and drainage for infections to promote healing and comfort.
Beyond immediate pain relief, our expert team also conducts initial evaluations for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, head and neck muscle issues, salivary gland problems, and orofacial pain, offering a holistic approach to oral health emergencies.
For patients requiring root canal therapy, our clinic provides initial assessments and seamless referrals to the specialized Endodontics clinic within the University of Washington School of Dentistry. If you already possess a referral for root canals or extractions, you can directly contact the Endodontics or Oral Surgery clinics to expedite your care.
It’s important to note that our urgent care clinic is designed for immediate needs. Non-urgent care, routine teeth cleanings, ongoing dental maintenance, and complex treatments are typically referred to other specialized clinics within the School of Dentistry. For those interested in establishing ongoing dental care with the UW School of Dentistry, we encourage scheduling an appointment with our Dental Student Clinic for comprehensive and continuous care.
All dental services within our oral diagnosis and emergency care clinic are delivered by dedicated student dentists under the direct supervision of experienced faculty dentists, ensuring both quality care and a commitment to training the next generation of dental professionals.
Making an Appointment for Urgent Dental Care
To access our oral diagnosis and emergency care clinic, telephone lines open at 8:30 a.m., closing during lunch and after 4:30 p.m. Patient Central Registration for new patient registration and updates operates at 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Our clinic’s operational hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Please plan to allocate a full morning or afternoon for your clinic visit to ensure comprehensive care.
While walk-in appointments are accommodated based on availability, making an appointment is strongly recommended due to the high demand for urgent dental services.
Upon securing an appointment, new patients are required to register at the School of Dentistry Central Registration office, located in Room B307. Existing patients needing to update insurance details, address, or name should also visit Central Registration in B307. For detailed directions, maps, public transport, and parking information, please refer to our Location and Directions page.
For patient safety and a focused treatment environment, children and guests are not permitted in the dental operatories and children cannot be left unattended anywhere within the building.
Fees, Insurance, and Payment Options
Our oral diagnosis and emergency care clinic operates on a fee-for-service basis, with costs set below the average for the surrounding Seattle area. Payment is required at the time of service and can be made via cash, check, credit card, or by providing your insurance card along with any applicable co-pay. While we strive to provide affordable care, we do not currently offer a sliding fee scale or charity care options.
Patients with dental insurance are responsible for verifying coverage and ensuring that the University of Washington School of Dentistry is within their network. Contacting your insurance provider prior to your visit is advisable to confirm coverage details and understand your financial responsibility. For further information regarding patient care at the UW School of Dentistry, please visit our patient care information page.
After-Hours Dental Emergencies
For life-threatening dental emergencies, please immediately call 911 or proceed to the nearest hospital emergency room. Current patients of the School of Dentistry experiencing urgent dental issues outside of our business hours (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.) should directly contact their assigned provider for guidance.
Individuals who are not active patients of record at the School of Dentistry requiring urgent dental assistance after hours should contact our clinic during business hours or seek care at a local urgent care clinic or hospital emergency room.
