Starting Monday, March 23, Carolina Dentistry will be screening all urgent care calls through teledentistry, or virtual oral health care.
Dental emergencies and urgent care will be directed to an on-call provider who will talk with you and help address your needs.
Appointments are being cancelled on a rolling, weekly basis. You will receive an email or text message to let you know your appointment is canceled. You do not need to call to cancel your appointment.
If you are not experiencing a dental emergency or need urgent dental care, please contact us after we have resumed normal operations.
What is a dental emergency?
A dental emergency may include severe pain, swelling of the face, or uncontrolled bleeding related to a toothache, recent dental treatment, or injury.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency:
- Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call the Virtual Oral Health Care Helpline at (919) 537-3088.
Dental emergencies include, but are not limited to, acute injuries, severe pain, swelling in the face, or uncontrolled bleeding. - Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., call the Oral Medicine Telehealth Service at (919) 537-3162.
For patients experiencing non-tooth facial pain, mouth sores, dry mouth, TMJ disorders, oral problems associated with cancer treatment, or patients in need of an oral evaluation prior to cancer treatment, organ transplant or heart surgery. Click here for a flyer with more information. - After business hours (night time or weekend), call After-Hours Urgent Care at (919) 537-3364.
Dental emergencies include, but are not limited to, acute injuries, severe pain, swelling in the face, or uncontrolled bleeding.
What is a dental non-emergency?
Dental non-emergencies include elective dental procedures, adjustments of orthodontic wires or appliances which are not causing pain, mild pain or discomfort, routine cleanings or x-rays, wellness checks, and dental exams.
What is urgent dental care?
Carolina Dentistry is following the American Dental Association’s definition of urgent dental care. Urgent dental care involves treatment to manage or relieve severe pain and/or risk of infection.
Dental urgent care includes abscesses, tooth fractures, biopsy, dental trauma, complications following oral surgery, cementing a crown or bridge if it becomes lost, broken or causes irritation, and dental treatment required prior to critical medical procedures.
Other types of dental urgent care include severe tooth decay causing pain, suture (stitches) removal, denture adjustments or repairs, replacing temporary fillings, adjusting orthodontic wires or appliances that may be piercing or irritating the mouth.