Dental First Aid Clinic
CU Anschutz School of Dental Medicine
The CU Anschutz Dental First Aid Clinic provides prompt evaluation and treatment for dental emergencies and urgent oral health concerns. Located on the CU Anschutz campus near Denver in Aurora, Colorado, this clinic is staffed by dental students who provide care under the supervision of experienced, licensed faculty dentists with advanced training across dental specialties.
Important Update: Beginning November 2, 2026, the Dental First Aid Clinic will implement a new patient check-in process. Patients will be required to scan a QR code upon arrival to register for same-day care. Availability is limited to 10 patients per day and is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Patients may arrive as early as 7 a.m. to scan the QR code on site and complete the digital intake form to join the day's patient list.
The first five patients who complete the intake form will most likely be seen during the morning session. Patients are typically brought back between 8:15 and 9:00 a.m.
The next five patients who complete the intake form will most likely be seen during the afternoon session. Patients are typically brought back between 1:15 and 2:00 p.m.
Your appointment may last between 2–3 hours.
If the clinic has reached capacity and you are experiencing severe swelling or pain, please speak with the front desk when you arrive. We will do our best to accommodate urgent needs.
Types of Dental Emergencies:
Not all dental and orthodontic issues are considered an emergency. The types of emergencies we treat include:
- Lost or loose permanent tooth,
- Pain, swelling, or trauma directly related to orthodontic appliances,
- Tooth infection (symptoms include fever, tooth sensitivity, persistent tooth pain, facial swelling, and a bump on the gums near the infected tooth),
- Sudden, unexplainable severe tooth pain,
- Swollen jaw or mouth, and
- Other urgent dental needs.
The following dental concerns are not considered emergencies, so you will need to make an appointment with your dental provider for treatment:
- Loose brackets or bands and lost elastics.
- Gums that only bleed while brushing or flossing.
Appointment Availability
Our Dental First Aid Clinic operates on a first-come, first-served basis for same-day appointments. For the best chance of being seen, arrive when the clinic opens at 8:00 a.m., as appointments fill quickly. Walk-in patients are accepted until 3:15 p.m., based on availability.
After-Hours Emergency Dental Care
We provide 24-hour emergency dental care for our current CU Anschutz Dental First Aid Clinic patients. For emergencies, please call the University of Colorado Hospital operator at (720) 848-0000 to connect with the general practice resident on call.
Orthodontics: Our orthodontic residents are also on call to treat emergencies involving traditional metal braces, clear aligners (Invisalign), behind-the-teeth braces (Incognito), and other orthodontic appliances. For after-hours orthodontic emergency care, please call (303) 656-7082.
Putting off a dental emergency will only lead to more pain and more severe dental complications.
New Patients: Visit us in person during business hours to be seen by a provider. For the best chance of being seen, arrive when the clinic opens at 8:00 a.m., as appointments fill quickly. Walk-in patients are accepted until 3:15 p.m., based on availability.
Existing Patients: If you are currently receiving care at the Dental Team Care Clinic, please contact your student provider first. They may be able to address your urgent dental concern.
The emergency exam is $56, and dental X-rays are $42 if needed. Any additional treatment or procedures will be billed separately. If you have dental insurance, covered services will be billed to your insurance plan.
The CU Anschutz Dental First Aid Clinic accepts cash, major credit and debit cards, and Health First Colorado (formerly Medicaid). We will also provide payment documentation so you can submit a claim for reimbursement to your dental insurance company. We are not accepting BEAM insurance at this time.
Contact Us
13065 E. 17th Avenue, 1st Floor
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: (303) 724-6900
Campus Map
Parking:
Please do not park in the Children's Hospital emergency parking lots; vehicles may be towed.
The Kiowa Lot is the most convenient​ parking lot for the School of Dental Medicine patients. It is available at a daily rate of $1/hour with a 4-hour maximum.
Additional parking is available at the following lots at a daily rate of $1/hour with an 8-hour maximum:
- ​Julesburg Lot
- Georgetown Lot
- Ignacio Lot
- Henderson Garage
Accessible parking is located on the west side of the School of Dental Medicine building, next to the Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building. Parking meters are $0.25/15 minutes with a maximum stay of 4 hours.
Clinic Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Hours and appointments subject to change.
Closed on all federal and state holidays.
Let Us Help You Navigate Your Dental Care Journey
We encourage our patients to provide feedback about their experiences at the School of Dental Medicine. If you have a concern, complaint, or question about your dental experience, please get in touch with our Patient Liaison at [email protected] or (303) 724-7040.