91°µÍø

We are pleased that you have selected UT Dentistry for your dental care. Care at UT Dentistry is provided by dental students, advanced graduate residents and faculty from the nationally recognized 91°µÍø School of Dentistry. The School of Dentistry is a teaching and research institution committed to patient-centered education for healthcare professionals. Adults and children who receive care in our clinical programs are vitally important participants in this process. For that reason, we expect to make your experience a healthy and satisfying one.

UT Dentistry is committed to providing the highest quality of care. To do this, the patients or parents of patients and dental professionals must work together to develop the best relationships. A better understanding of your oral condition and your rights and responsibilities in the treatment of that condition will contribute to better care and greater satisfaction for all concerned. We realize that no set of guidelines can ever fully describe the special relationship that exists between you and your doctor. The purpose of this document is to enhance mutual trust, cooperation and respect that surround that relationship.

Your Rights as a Patient

YOU AS A PERSON – We are not only interested in providing you with the best patient-centered dental care, but also in recognizing and respecting your dignity as a human being. You may expect to be treated with consideration and respect regardless of your race, creed, national origin, age, disability, sex or source of payment.

SERVICES YOU NEED – Within its capacity, the school’s clinics will provide diagnostic and treatment services consistent with the urgency of your needs. We will inform you about what we can and cannot provide and help in making referrals for treatment elsewhere. You will also be informed of the need for and availability of appointments. When your patient care relationship with the school ends, for whatever reason, we will tell you about your further treatment needs.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR PLAN OF CARE – You are entitled to a clear explanation of your dental needs, what treatment is recommended and its risks, what treatment alternatives exist and the risk if no treatment is provided. In addition, you will be informed of the estimated costs for care prior to treatment, expected outcomes of your care, who will provide your care and approximately how long it may take. Should any complications arise during treatment that may alter the proposed plan or affect the expected outcome, they will be discussed with you promptly.

If you are receiving comprehensive dental care from our school’s clinics, you can expect at least one recall appointment within a few months following completion of treatment. This follow-up visit ensures that the care provided meets accepted standards of care, that outcomes are satisfactory, and it determines whether any additional treatment is necessary. Thus, it supports the continuity and completion of your care.

RIGHT TO INTERPRETER SERVICES – You have the right to receive information in a manner that supports your understanding, including access to interpreter services when available and appropriate.

RIGHT TO KNOW PROVIDER STATUS – You have the right to know whether your care is being provided by a student, resident, faculty member or other healthcare professional, and the level of supervision involved.

RIGHT TO VOICE CONCERNS – You have the right to express concerns or file a complaint regarding your care without fear of retaliation and to receive information regarding the process for addressing those concerns.

CONSENT AND REFUSAL OF TREATMENT – You have the right to participate in decisions regarding your dental care and to have all questions answered prior to consenting to treatment. Any treatment you receive will meet appropriate standards of care. You also have the right to refuse treatment. In such cases, you will be informed of the potential consequences of your decision, including risks associated with declining treatment. If your decision to refuse recommended care is not consistent with accepted standards of dental practice, you and/or UT Dentistry may determine that it is in your best interest to seek care outside UT Dentistry, and you could be considered for dismissal as a patient.

UT Dentistry highly values its patients and desires to have amicable, healthy and productive relationships with them throughout the course of their dental care. Occasionally, a perceived incompatibility between UT Dentistry providers and a patient or an unusual event may arise which necessitates the termination of the dentist-patient relationship. The decision to terminate the dentist-patient relationship must be made by responsible UT Dentistry dentist(s) and Dental Director(s), not by UT Dentistry non-dental staff members.

CONFIDENTIALITY – Discussions about your care will be conducted with as much consideration for your privacy as possible in accordance with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines. A copy of your treatment record will not be released without your written permission except as required through an insurance contract or by law. We will follow policies as described in the Patient Privacy Acknowledgement.

Your Responsibilities as A Patient

• To share honest and complete information about your medical and dental history, previous illnesses, hospitalizations, exposure to communicable diseases, information about medications you are taking, allergies and your current medical care.
• To let us know when there are changes in your general health condition, or if you experience complications or unusual discomfort following a treatment procedure.
• To ask questions so that you can better understand the nature of your dental condition and the treatment provided.
• To follow the instructions you are given, be available for the services you need and keep your scheduled appointments.
• To be available at least one half-day a week, starting at 9 a.m. for a morning appointment or 1 p.m. for an afternoon appointment, if you are a predoctoral (dental student) patient. Parents of patients under age 13 and chaperones for patients undergoing sedation need to be available during the entire treatment appointment.
• To give at least 24 hours’ notice for any cancellations of appointments. Failure to show for your scheduled appointments can result in a penalty fee, dismissal from the program or both, according to the clinic’s policy.
• To be prompt in attendance for your or your child’s dental visit.
• To provide complete information about your dental insurance and to pay in full by cash, check or credit card on or before services are received.
• To seek routine care from another source (such as a dentist in private practice), once the course of prescribed treatment and recall are complete. You may, of course, seek dental rescreening and treatment here later if needed.
• To be considerate and respectful of other patients, students, faculty and staff of UT Dentistry. Failure to maintain a respectful and cordial interaction with members of your dental care team may result in termination of your participation as a patient in UT Dentistry clinics.

Patient Services Representative

Our patient services representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), to assist with any questions, concerns or problems you may have about your treatment. They may be contacted at the number designated in the information provided by the practice or clinic where you receive care.

Dental Emergency After Hours

If you are an active patient assigned to a dental student and have a dental emergency after 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, weekends or holidays, call our answering service at for assistance.

To view the School of Dentistry history and mission, visit: /dental/about/history-mission