Become a Patient

Download Application

First we need to evaluate your dental needs to assure that you may benefit from our student services. To do this, we will need to see you for about two hours to find out what your needs are.

• You can help us speed up the screening process by printing and completing a Screening Application.
• To open the Screening Application, click on the blue button to the right or click here.

Submit Application

All received applications are reviewed by a faculty member. Applications which are incomplete or do not appear to match current student needs will be rejected.

You can submit your completed application to The Dental College of Georgia in one of two ways:

• Mail to the following address (also listed at the top of the application):
  
  AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY
  THE DENTAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA
  PATIENT SERVICES, GC-4290
  AUGUSTA, GEORGIA 30912-1243
  
  
• Fax to Patient Screening at 706-723-0228

Please use only one method (U.S. mail or fax) to submit your completed application to us.

Screening Criteria

• Please be aware the application is for a screening appointment and does not guarantee acceptance as a patient.
• Priority is given to applicants with dental problems which fit our teaching programs. Applicants whose applications are rejected should receive a letter informing them of this within three weeks of our receipt of the application.
• Dental x-rays and a more detailed examination may be necessary before being accepted as a patient.

 

All potential patients must be screened during an initial appointment and matched to a student provider based on the educational needs of the student. The information collected at the first screening appointment will be sent to the Patient Services Office where your dental needs will be matched to a dental student's needs. Please be aware of the following screening guidelines:

• ALLOW UP TO FOUR HOURS FOR THIS APPOINTMENT.
• Please advise staff if the patient is non-English speaking or hearing impaired. Interpreter services may require advance scheduling.
• No dental treatment is available at the screening appointment. Only a screening evaluation will be performed.

Because assigning a patient to a student depends on the needs of the student, a waiting period may be necessary. If we cannot assign you within 6-12 months, you will be notified. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that all people awaiting assignment will be accepted for treatment. If you have questions regarding your assignment of care, call Patient Services at (706) 721-8582.

If you are not contacted within four months of submitting your application, please assume our waiting list for your particular problem(s) is too long. In this case, we urge you to seek care elsewhere before your problems become more complex.

 

What Happens During Screening

The screening process gives our dental care providers an opportunity to fully assess your dental needs. This process usually includes the following steps:

• Interview
• History
• Examination
• Radiographs
• Preventive oral health instructions

 

Screening Charge

Although our teaching program offers educational discounts for the dental care provided, this is not a free clinic. Each service provided will incur a charge including your initial screening appointment.

• For the SCREENING appointment, please be prepared to pay $132.00 for the examination. X-rays are typically taken.
• Payment is due at the screening appointment. We will be glad to file your insurance for possible reimbursement.
• Payment may be made by cash, personal check, or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover).
• Charges for the screening appointment are non-refundable.

• After you are accepted as a potential patient in the student dental program, you may be assigned to a student.
• Depending on student needs, it may take up to 6 months before you are assigned to a student. 
• Once assigned, the student will contact you and schedule your appointments.

• Our time requirements are extensive; therefore, the cooperation and understanding of the patient is necessary. You may be asked to be available for appointments one morning or afternoon (1-4 hours) each week (Monday-Friday) for 6-12 months. You should be seen at least once a month. The fees charged for care reflect a dollar ($) savings to compensate you for your time. However, if you cannot devote the required amount of time, we suggest you arrange for private dental care.

Because of the rigid requirements on the student's time, we require that patients must notify the student at least two school days in advance when it is necessary to reschedule an appointment. To serve everyone better, repeated tardiness or two broken appointments may result in termination of treatment.

If you think you have a dental emergency, this is not the appropriate application. Please call 706-721-2371 (select option 1) for information about our Emergency Dental Services.