Dental Student Clinics
Overview
The PreDoctoral Dental and Dental Hygiene Clinics are educational clinics where care is provided by dental and dental hygiene students under the direct supervision of experienced University of Tennessee Health Science Center faculty. Services are offered to both adult and pediatric patients who are screened to determine whether their needs are appropriate for treatment in a teaching environment. Our programs offer the full scope of oral health care services.
All patients are required to complete a screening appointment to evaluate the complexity of treatment needs. The screening fee is $100 and includes a comprehensive oral examination and necessary radiographs. Based on the findings, patients are assigned to the appropriate clinic, where a personalized treatment plan is developed to address their needs and preferences. At this visit, the anticipated costs, treatment timeline, and expected outcomes are discussed to ensure mutual understanding and agreement between the patient and provider. If treatment is complex, additional specialty consultation appointments may be required; these consultation visits are provided at no additional cost.
Once the treatment plan is finalized, dental care is initiated and continues until treatment needs are completed. Because the clinics are educational environments, patients may be reassigned to a different student provider during the course of treatment.
Fees
While UTHS College of Dentistry does not offer free care, fees are generally lower than those charged in private dental offices. Predoctoral clinic fees are typically approximately 50% of private practice fees, and graduate program fees are also usually below private practice rates. Fees for services provided through the University Dental Faculty Practice are comparable to those of other dental practices in the Mid-South.
Patients are not required to pay for all treatment upfront. Payment is due at the time of service for the specific procedure.
We accept cash, personal checks, credit cards, and select insurance plans. We also
offer financing options through Enhance Patient Financing and CareCredit.
The College of Dentistry is committed to maintaining affordable fees. Modest annual
adjustments of approximately 1–2% may occur to remain aligned with standard economic increases and to support the continued delivery of high-quality care. Fees
are subject to change without notice, and patients are always informed of the cost
of a procedure before treatment.
College policy prohibits students from paying for patient treatment. Patients should
not ask student providers to cover treatment costs. Violations of this policy may
result in dismissal from the College’s treatment program.
Student Care Model
Dental and dental hygiene services are provided by predoctoral student clinicians under the direct supervision of licensed and qualified faculty. As an academic clinical setting, our clinics differ from private dental offices in structure and pace to support education and training. However, all care is delivered in accordance with accepted standards of practice and at fees that are generally lower than those in private practice.
Comprehensive care is provided using a phased treatment approach to ensure foundational oral health is addressed first, supporting safe, effective, and long‑lasting treatment outcomes. The initial phase of care focuses on diagnosing and treating active oral disease. This may include cleanings, gum therapy, fillings, or the removal of teeth that cannot be preserved. Once oral health is stable, additional treatment options, such as crowns, replacement of missing teeth, or esthetic procedures such as veneers, may be considered when appropriate.
Nondiscrimination Policy
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law in education, employment, or the provision of patient care. This policy applies to patient acceptance, assignment, and treatment by student clinicians.
Requests for assignment to a student clinician based on any protected characteristic cannot be accommodated. Patients making such requests may be advised that they may be better served in a private practice setting.