The UNMC College of Dentistry is cutting the ribbon to open a new urgent care dental clinic at the college’s home on East Campus. The ceremony is set for Aug. 20, 4-6 p.m.
The urgent clinic opened July 1 and has walk-in hours of 8-10 a.m. through the summer. Afternoon and evening hours are set to be added in the fall.
The clinic was made possible in part through federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) funding, administered by the state. It is one of a handful of initiatives the UNMC College of Dentistry is working on to improve the state’s rural dental health with its $4.6 million over five years of the $50 billion federal program.
In addition to federal funding, the urgent care clinic has benefited from private support from alumni, friends and industry partners (see more below).
“The UNMC College of Dentistry Urgent Care Clinic was created to ensure that members of our community have access to timely, compassionate dental care when they need it most,” said Dean Gerry Kugel, DMD, PhD.
Why an urgent care clinic specifically for dentistry? Because medical emergency departments aren’t equipped to handle dental emergencies – but nevertheless, can leave Nebraskans with a very big bill. A report released jointly by the Nebraska Hospital Association, Creighton University School of Dentistry, Nebraska Dental Association, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Rural Health Association and the UNMC College of Dentistry called going to the ER for a dental emergency “a very expensive Band-Aid.”
Medical emergency departments may prescribe medication and antibiotics. But they can’t offer root canals, extractions or fillings. Meaning relief is likely temporary at best.
Meanwhile, DHHS statistics show that the average cost per dental patient for an ER visit in 2023 was nearly $3,200.
UNMC’s new urgent care dental clinic won’t just save patients money. It also lessens the strain on Nebraska’s emergency departments, freeing them to do what they do best, college of dentistry faculty say.
“By providing an alternative to emergency rooms for urgent dental needs, we are improving access to care while fulfilling our mission to serve the people of Nebraska through excellence in education, patient care and community service,” Dean Kugel said.
Gifts to the Dental College Class of 1983 Fund for Excellence helped establish and support the clinic. A-dec, a leading manufacturer of dental equipment, made a significant in-kind contribution in the form of patient treatment chairs, delivery systems, dental lights, assistant instrumentation units and clinical seating that equip four treatment operatories for patient care.
“The generosity of our alumni and industry partners continues to transform the educational experience for our students and improve access to care for patients across Nebraska,” Dr. Kugel said.
Stuart Lacey, DDS, will serve as director of the urgent care clinic. Scout Lee, DDS, assistant professor of surgical specialties, will direct evening coverage.
UNMC College of Dentistry students and residents will volunteer to staff the clinic.