How to Become a Patient

Please select a service area below and request a screening appointment by filling out the Patient Contact Form (available at the bottom of each professional service area). The contact form is the best method for reaching us.

After your request is reviewed and deemed appropriate, you will be asked to come for a scheduled screening appointment to determine if our students can meet your needs. A screening appointment can range from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.

The screener will begin the initial information gathering to determine your oral health needs and suitability as a patient for the UBC educational programs. A screening registration fee will be charged if you are accepted into the program and still wish to become a patient. You will then be assigned to a student and contacted to set up an appointment for a complete examination. The time between screening and the beginning of treatment may vary by case and time of the year.

Please note: The screening appointment is not a formal check-up, and there will be no treatment provided at that time. Please be prompt for your screening appointment.

Acceptance to UBC’s dental programs is based on our ability to meet your needs and our students’ educational requirements. If you are not accepted, we will provide information about other low-cost clinics.

The following criteria may indicate unsuitability:

  • Patient treatment and/or management beyond the scope of a student/resident
  • Inability to accommodate three-hour sessions at least once a week
  • Unable to bring in a translator to every appointment (for patients who are unable to communicate in English)
Important note: Patients who cannot communicate in English must bring a translator to all appointments to help fill out medical/dental forms and translate. You will not be able to receive treatment if you are unable to complete forms, comprehend or give consent

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance claims fall into two general categories:

  1. Patients are responsible for paying their accounts to the clinic and will be reimbursed by their dental plan. Pacific Blue Cross has agreed to pay the clinic directly, and some clients of Pacific Blue Cross can use this privilege. Your eligibility to use this privilege is based on the details of your insurance policy. If eligible, you must sign insurance claim forms for treatment. Patients are responsible for payment of any treatment or portion not covered by Pacific Blue Cross.
  2. Patients on government assistance should provide the receptionist with their BC Services Card number and receive authorization before treatment begins. The clinic will collect directly from the government agency.

Professional Service Areas

Treatment is divided into several educational programs.

  • General Dentistry:
    Comprehensive care, consisting of multiple treatments – minimum 3 or more (fillings, partial dentures, complete dentures, crowns, bridges scaling)
    Limited/specific treatments, such as extractions or root canals only
    (NOTE: Screening for General Dentistry (limited/specific treatment) remains closed until September, 2017. At the present time we are accepting extractions patients only. However, screening spots for other treatments MAY occasionally become available up until the end of April, 2017. Please check back periodically for updates.)
  • Dental Hygiene: Examinations, x-rays, oral cancer screening, tartar removal/scaling, sealants, fluoride, custom sports guards and oral hygiene instruction
    (NOTE: Regular screening for Dental Hygiene is now open as of mid-July, 2017.)
  • Endodontics: Root canals for patients who have a referral from a dentist
  • Periodontics: Treatment of gum disease and implant placement
  • Prosthodontics: Complex/multiple crowns, bridges, and dentures (full and partial)