Frequently
Asked
Questions
What are the hours for St. Louis Dental Center general practice hours?
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. -5:30 p.m. *No evening or weekend hours for general dentistry
What are the hours for the Centene Charitable Foundation Dental Urgent Care Center?
Monday & Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:00 a.m. – noon
Is the St. Louis Dental Center closed for holidays?
The St. Louis Dental Center is closed for the following national holidays:
New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day, Thanksgiving, & Christmas
What is a "teaching center"?
The St. Louis Dental Center is a collaboration between A.T. Still University’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH) and Affinia Healthcare. Your dental care is provided by dental teams led by faculty dentists from ATSU-MOSDOH and dental professionals from Affinia Healthcare. In addition to hygienists and other support staff, teams include students who are preparing for a career in dentistry at ATSU-MOSDOH. The education our students receive is invaluable and includes hundreds of hours of training and practice on human simulators. Because of our expert faculty and state-of-the-art dental center, students receive a much more expansive dental education. Our students are among the most clinically prepared and advanced dental graduates nationwide.
Will I be cared for by a "real" dentist?
Yes. Faculty supervisors at the St. Louis Dental Center have a DMD, DDS, or equivalent degree for the national standard for the practice of dentistry. Student doctors work under the close supervision of faculty members with care being provided by the student doctor with assistance from staff hygienists, dental assistants, and other staff.
Can anyone make an appointment?
Yes. The St. Louis Dental Center is public and open to everyone and anyone who wishes to be a patient.
How do I make an appointment?
To schedule a first-time appointment, please call 314.833.2758.
Returning patients may cancel or reschedule an appointment by calling the patient service advocate provided at your last visit.
Returning patients may cancel or reschedule an appointment by calling the patient service advocate provided at your last visit.
Am I guaranteed an appointment?
Our goal is to provide care to all who are need of dental treatment. Our team will work with patients to find an appointment time within a reasonable time-frame. For dental emergencies, walk-ins are accepted at the Dental Urgent Care, which is located at the St. Louis Dental Center.
What services do you offer?
We offer a full range of dental services including preventive services, cleanings, orthodontics (braces), dental implants, oral surgery, and virtually every type of restorative service. We also offer services many private dental facilities may not provide. These include laser dentistry, services for special needs patients, and specialized dental imaging. You can learn more about all the services offered by the clinic in our Services Section.
Do you take my insurance plan?
The St. Louis Dental Center accepts most dental insurance plans. Please call our clinic at 314.833.2700, and speak with a patient service coordinator for details.
How often should I see a dentist?
The frequency of your dental visits depends on your dental needs and will be determined by your dentist. Regular dental visits are vital to your oral health and help you maintain a healthy smile.
What should I expect at my first appointment?
Our patients receive a comprehensive exam which includes X-rays, assessment of their gums and bone health, charting of all treatment needs and dental impressions to make models. Also, dental treatment needs are prioritized and then the patient is given the next appointment to start the treatment plan.
How much are your fees?
Because we are affiliated with a federally qualified health center, our fees are very reasonable with discounts of at least fifty percent from the St. Louis dental market.
Specific fees for dental services will be explained to you before you receive treatment.
Can you help patients with special needs?
Proper dental care is everyone's right. The St. Louis Dental Center provides dental care to special needs patients and their families. Our dental teams are trained, equipped, and capable of providing dental services to the special needs or disabled patient.