Should you let dental students practice on you?

BY: Dr. Marsha Pyle

Receiving oral care at dental schools is not just safe -- it?s a win-win: Students get the opportunity to learn important clinical skills, while patients receive quality, affordable care.

But like anything you?ve never done before, you?re probably a bit nervous about testing something new. Read on for five things to expect from your local dental school:

Supervised care. Service at dental schools is provided not just by students learning to be dentists but also by dentists learning advanced skills and sometimes by licensed faculty members. All student-provided care is supervised by licensed, experienced dentists, and before a student ever touches a patient?s mouth, his skills are evaluated to ensure he?s ready.

Thirty to 50 percent off your bill. Yes! Some procedures done in dental schools can cost half the amount private practices charge. Especially expensive services such as implants or crowns may be discounted even further. Just be aware that some fee reductions may occur only on specific dates to coincide with students? school schedules. Many schools also accept a variety of dental-insurance plans, so be sure to ask the school you?d like to visit if it accepts your plan.�

Specialized care. While general dental clinics provide many services, schools often have a wide variety of specialty clinics that offer more specific, complex care. Specialty services at a dental school may include gum treatment, extractions, root-canal therapy or care for young children or people with special needs.�

Longer or more appointments. While students are learning their skills, schools have measures of practice and competency evaluation that require faculty input. So the length of your appointment often depends on your student doctor?s stage of training. Completing your care may also require more visits than if you visit a private practice.

Emergency and year-round care. It?s midnight or your dental school?s university is on break, and you have a pounding toothache. It?s okay -- you can still get dental care! Once you become a dental-school patient, you can get round-the-clock access to urgent care. If you require extensive dental work, discuss a timeline with a student/faculty member in advance so you can nail down dates that work best for both you and the school.

To find an accredited dental school in your area, visit the American Dental Association at ADA.org.

Source: http://www.oralcareandhealthdaily.com/blog/dental_students/index.html

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