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Check out our new online digital viewbook to learn more about the "LLU Experience."

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Patient information

• How to become a patient
• Dental services and specialties
• Frequently asked questions
• Clinic hours
• Directory (phone numbers)

How to become a patient

Your first visit

Your first visit will be with a dental instructor and a student dentist. No dental treatment will be scheduled for this first visit. A screening examination will be conducted, for which there may be a fee. The purpose of this screening examination is to determine if your dental treatment needs can be met by our student dentists. If the instructor decides that radiographs (x-rays) are needed to accurately determine your treatment needs, there will be a fee. If possible, you will be assigned to a student dentist at this first visit and your complete examination may begin. We cannot guarantee that everyone will be assigned to a student dentist for treatment. If we are not able to assign you to a student dentist, we can refer you to one of our graduate (specialty) clinics or to one of our faculty practice offices. To make arrangements for this initial appointment, please call (909) 558-4675. For children under the age of 15, please call the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at (909) 558-4689. A parent or legal guardian must accompany children under the age of 18 to all appointments at the School of Dentistry. For information regarding orthodontic care (braces), please call (909) 558-4616.

Beginning your care

Once you have been accepted as a patient, you will be assigned to a student dentist within 30 days to manage your dental treatment. A complete dental examination including all appropriate radiographs, a dental history, a head and neck examination, an oral cancer examination and a thorough examination of your teeth and oral soft tissues will be conducted. Each student dentist is being trained to provide complete patient care. This examination may take more than one appointment and is very important to your treatment.

Your dental treatment

Your student dentist will review with you the findings of this examination and present a plan of treatment. You will also receive information about your treatment options and the cost of the proposed treatment. Your dental treatment at the School of Dentistry will take longer than at a private dental office because the student dentist must spend time learning the procedures, and a staff doctor is required to evaluate each step during treatment. In exchange for this time, you will receive high quality care at a lower cost.

Paying for your treatment

If you have dental insurance, please bring your insurance information with you on your first appointment with your student dentist. We will assist you in submitting an insurance claim for any covered expenses. Payment for services may be made by cash, check or credit card.

Urgent care

If you have been assigned to a student dentist and are in need of urgent care, you may contact him/her through the School of Dentistry operator at (909) 558-4222 during regular clinic hours. Unassigned patients in pain or distress can be seen in our Urgent Care Clinic, Monday through Friday during regular clinic hours, on a limited basis. Call the Urgent Care Clinic at (909) 558-4666.

Keeping you smiling

We want to continue Jesus' healing ministry so that you experience His healing touch, His love, and His compassion as His Spirit works through us. Loma Linda University is part of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church and its educational and health-care institutions, and is dedicated to the concept of total health, which includes mental, physical and spiritual aspects of a person. We hope that our respect, tenderness and concern for your situation will show in the patient/student/dentist/staff relationship we'll establish when you need us. Ask about our patient's Bill of Rights at (909) 558-4933.

Dental services and specialties

Dental anesthesia: treatment required under general anesthesia or sedation

Dental hygiene: cleaning of teeth and oral health-care education

Endodontics: treatment of teeth with root canal problems

Oral and maxillofacial surgery: extraction of teeth, removal of diseased tissue, treatment of injuries and developmental malformations of the mouth, jaws, and related structures of the face

Implant dentistry: replacement of missing teeth with implants

Oral medicine: diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving oral soft and hard tissues, as well as orofacial pain

Orthodontics: alignment of teeth and treatment of problems related to growth and development of the face and jaws

Pediatric dentistry: prevention and treatment of dental diseases in children (under the age of 15)

Periodontics: prevention and treatment of diseases of the gingiva (gums) and the bone surrounding and supporting the teeth and placement of implants to restore missing teeth

Prosthodontics: Fixed - restoration of natural teeth with crowns and replacement of missing teeth with fixed bridges or implants; Removable - design and fabrication of complete, immediate and partial dentures to replace missing teeth

Radiology: diagnostic and technical services in dental radiology

Restorative dentistry: restoration of faulty, missing, or diseased parts of natural teeth

Frequently asked questions

• Are you taking new patients?
• How do I make an appointment?
• What are your fees like?
• Do you take insurance?
• Can I bring my x-rays with me?

Q - Are you taking new patients?
A - The School of Dentistry welcomes new patients. Please call (909) 558-4675 to make arrangements for an appointment to be seen. Your first visit will be to determine if your dental treatment needs are appropriate for our teaching clinics. Some of the clinics charge a fee for this initial screening (examination) appointment. There will be no dental treatment during this visit. If radiographs (x-rays) are needed to make a decision about treatment, there will be a fee.

Q - How do I make an appointment?
A - For first time patients needing general care, please call (909) 558-4675 to make arrangements to be seen. For urgent care, please call (909) 558-4666. For children under the age of 15, please call (909) 558-4689. For orthodontic care (braces) please call (909) 558-4616. For implant dentistry, please call (909) 558-4983.

Q - What are your fees like?
A - The School of Dentistry is not a free clinic. The fees charged, however, are generally lower than those in private dental practices in the area. Payment for services must usually be paid for as they are provided. It is possible to arrange for an extended payment plan through our Patient Business Office. Payment for services may be made by cash, check, or credit card.

Q - Do you take insurance?
A - Many insurance plans can be accepted. Please bring your complete insurance information and appropriate claim forms and our Patient Business Office will help you in submitting the insurance claims.

Q - Can I bring my x-rays (radiographs) with me?
A - If you are being referred by another dentist or have radiographs (x-rays) from prior treatment, please bring these x-rays with you on your first visit. Additional radiographs may be necessary before treatment decisions can be made.

Clinic hours

Clinics are open year round, but closed weekends, holidays, and during student vacation; hours may also vary due to special circumstances.

Directory (phone numbers)

Specialty clinics

(First time patients refer to the numbers above. These numbers are for patients referred by dentists in the community.)