FAQ
Closing
What days is the School of Dental Medicine closed?
The dental school is closed for major holidays including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day/July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (Thursday and Friday), Christmas Eve, and the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. If SIUE is closed for a holiday or inclement weather, the School of Dental Medicine is also closed.
How will I know if the School of Dental Medicine has been closed due to inclement weather?
If SIUE is closed due to inclement weather, the School of Dental Medicine also will be closed and all appointments cancelled. You should tune in to local television and radio stations or check the SIUE website when the weather is questionable to avoid an unnecessary trip to the clinic. If you have an appointment scheduled on a day when there is inclement weather and you receive email or text message appointment confirmations, you will receive an email and/or text message stating that the school has been closed due to inclement weather.
Patient Care
Will I be cared for by a “real” dentist?
Yes. All faculty supervisors at SIU School of Dental Medicine have a DMD, DDS, or equivalent degree. Student dentists and residents work under the close supervision of the faculty members. The dental care is provided by the student dentist with assistance from staff hygienists, staff dental assistants, and other students or staff members.
Are the students supervised?
Yes, all students are closely supervised by our expert attending faculty.
Is it safe to have my dental treatment by a student?
Yes, absolutely. Our expertly trained students provide comprehensive care under the careful supervision of our attending faculty. Your treatment will be provided with the utmost care.
What are the differences among clinics at the School?
Student Clinic: Comprehensive care is performed by our expertly trained 3rd and 4th year dental students under the careful supervision of our attending faculty. Appointments are generally three hours in length and occur 1-2 times per month, depending on availability. Extra time and additional appointments may be required for treatment. Fees in our student clinic average 1/3 of the cost of those in a private practice.
Graduate Clinics: Graduate dentists completing additional advanced education in their chosen practice areas staff our graduate clinics. These graduates offer a variety of specialty services under faculty-supervision. Appointments generally vary in length and additional time or appointments may be required for some services. Fees generally average 2/3 of the cost of those in private practice.
Faculty Practice: Our faculty practice located on our Edwardsville campus is staffed by the expert dentists and specialists from the School of Dental Medicine’s faculty. As a faculty member, these practitioners are on the cutting edge of technology and dental advancements. Appointments in faculty practice vary in length and standard private practice fees are charged.
Graduate Clinics: Graduate dentists completing additional advanced education in their chosen practice areas staff our graduate clinics. These graduates offer a variety of specialty services under faculty-supervision. Appointments generally vary in length and additional time or appointments may be required for some services. Fees generally average 2/3 of the cost of those in private practice.
Faculty Practice: Our faculty practice located on our Edwardsville campus is staffed by the expert dentists and specialists from the School of Dental Medicine’s faculty. As a faculty member, these practitioners are on the cutting edge of technology and dental advancements. Appointments in faculty practice vary in length and standard private practice fees are charged.
How often should I see a dentist?
The frequency of your dental visits depends on your dental needs and will be determined by your dentist. In order to expedite treatment, we recommend patients try to be available for appointments at least 1-2 times per month. Regular dental visits are vital to your oral health and help you maintain a healthy smile.
What services do you offer?
We offer a full range of services including preventative services, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, implants, partials/dentures, oral surgery, orthodontics (braces), treatment for gum disease, root canals, services for children, services for special needs patients, and much more. You can learn more about all the services offered by the clinic in the Affordable Comprehensive Care for All Ages section.
Can you help patients with special needs?
Yes. SIU School of Dental Medicine provides dental care to special needs patients and their families. The treatment suites in our Special Needs Patient Care Clinic are fully prepared with the necessary equipment and specially trained providers to deliver top-notch dental care to those who need it most.
Can you treat kids?
Yes, we provide full-service general dental care for children in both our Alton and East St. Louis clinics.
I am having a toothache; how much is an emergency visit?
Emergency treatment fees will vary based on what is needed but most are under $200. Patients are expected to pan an initial emergency exam fee of $24. There will be additional charges for necessary radiographs and any dental treatment provided. Your treatment options will be discussed before care begins.
I am having a toothache; do you take walk-ins?
No. Unfortunately, our clinic is not able to accept walk-ins without an appointment. The clinic starts accepting phone calls to schedule Emergency Department appointments at 8:00 am and accepts patients until the emergency slots have been filled. The process starts over each day. Please call 618-474-7000 to inquire about an Emergency Department appointment.
I had a filling fall out; can I come in?
At the School of Dental Medicine, we will be happy to help you with your immediate needs, but understand that our treatment philosophy is comprehensive care, not just selective care.
Do you extract wisdom teeth?
The School of Dental Medicine will remove wisdom teeth on a limited basis on patients of record only.
Do you make dentures there?
Yes. We make both removable partial dentures and complete dentures.
How long will it take to get my dentures?
Once you have been assigned to a student, the length of time it takes to make a denture depends on schedule availability and what treatment is needed.
I want to have a Graduate Resident perform my treatment instead of a student. Can I do that?
Patients are assigned to various clinics based on treatment complexity. When you come in for an appointment, this can be discussed with you.
How do I request a copy of my dental records?
A signed release form is required prior to the release of your dental records and there is an associated fee. To get a copy of the form or if you have any questions, please contact the Clinic Records Office at 618-474-7012.
Appointments
Can anyone make an appointment?
Yes. The SIU School of Dental Medicine is public and open to anyone and everyone who wishes to become a patient.
How do I make an appointment?
You may call the clinic during regular business hours at 618-474-7000.
How do I become a patient?
Call 618-474-7000 during regular business hours.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Your first visit to SIU School of Dental Medicine will include a screening and comprehensive exam. The screening allows us to determine if you can be accepted at the school as a patient. If you are accepted, a comprehensive exam is then completed. During this comprehensive exam, a complete medical and dental history review will be completed and X-rays will be taken. You will then be scheduled for a treatment planning appointment.
How long do the appointments take?
Student appointments are generally three hours in length and occur one to two times per month depending on availability. Extra time and additional appointments may be required for treatment. Resident appointments tend to be quicker, more like private practice.
Will treatment take longer with a student dentist?
As a patient in our dental school clinic, your treatment will be provided with the utmost care and oversight by faculty. However, because faculty oversight is necessary, the progress of your treatment will be slower than in private practice and may be extended over several visits. Care with a student takes longer but costs less.
Costs
Are you a free clinic?
No, but our student clinic fees are generally 1/3 of the fee for a private practice dentist.
How much are your student fees?
Fees in our student clinic average one-third of the cost of fees in a private practice.
How much are your Graduate/Resident fees?
Fees in our Graduate Clinics average two-thirds of the cost of fees in a private practice.
Insurance
Do you take my insurance plan?
SIU School of Dental Medicine accepts Illinois Medicaid (Public Aid) and most insurance plans.
If you have dental insurance, we will submit the forms for you. If your insurance company will pay us directly and you have provided us with a copy of your policy, you will be asked to pay only the portion of the fee not covered by insurance when the procedure is started. If your insurance company will not pay us directly or you do not provide the necessary insurance information, you are expected to pay when treatment is performed. In this case, reimbursement of covered services will then be made to you by your insurance company. You are responsible for any services not covered by your insurance company. It is important that you update your insurance information with the Business Office when changes occur.
If you need to update your insurance, please call the Clinic Business Office at 618-474-7090.
If you have dental insurance, we will submit the forms for you. If your insurance company will pay us directly and you have provided us with a copy of your policy, you will be asked to pay only the portion of the fee not covered by insurance when the procedure is started. If your insurance company will not pay us directly or you do not provide the necessary insurance information, you are expected to pay when treatment is performed. In this case, reimbursement of covered services will then be made to you by your insurance company. You are responsible for any services not covered by your insurance company. It is important that you update your insurance information with the Business Office when changes occur.
If you need to update your insurance, please call the Clinic Business Office at 618-474-7090.
Can I still be a patient if you do not take my insurance plan?
Yes. We have several financing options available. We accept personal checks made payable to SIUE. For your convenience, you may also pay using MasterCard, Visa, or Discover.
We also have financing options available through our partnership with the SIUE Credit Union. You do not have to be a member of the SIUE Credit Union to participate. All established patients of the SIU School of Dental Medicine are eligible to participate.
The School of Dental Medicine does not provide payment plans except for implant and orthodontic services.
We also have financing options available through our partnership with the SIUE Credit Union. You do not have to be a member of the SIUE Credit Union to participate. All established patients of the SIU School of Dental Medicine are eligible to participate.
The School of Dental Medicine does not provide payment plans except for implant and orthodontic services.
