Urgent Daytime Dental Care

Do you need to see a dentist today? The Urgent Care Clinic is a walk-in clinic, located on MUSC's main campus in downtown Charleston. You do not need an appointment, but we do recommend that you arrive at the beginning of our intake hours.

The Urgent Care Clinic serves both new and established patients. If you are an established patient, please contact your provider first. More information is available on our Current Patients page.

Walk-In Intake Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 8 to 10:30 a.m. and 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday: 1 to 2:30 p.m.

The Urgent Care Clinic sees patients on a first come, first served basis each weekday. This clinic is walk-in only. We do not offer appointments.

We recommend arriving at the beginning of our intake hours. If you arrive after 10:30 a.m., you will be asked to return for the afternoon session. If you arrive after 2:30 p.m., you will be asked to return the next business day.

What is Urgent Dental Care?

MUSC's Urgent Dental Care Clinic is specially equipped to diagnose and treat a broad spectrum of non-life-threatening oral conditions and injuries.

If you are experiencing severe pain, swelling, or any life-threatening situations, please call 911 or go to the nearest medical emergency room.

Common symptoms:

Toothache or tooth pain
Pain from broken, chipped, or missing teeth
Pain from crowns, fillings, or dental implants
Sensitivity to hot or cold

Common procedures performed:

Root canals
Tooth extractions
Treatment for infected or distressed teeth or gums

What is a root canal?

A root canal is a dental procedure that aims to relieve dental pain and save your teeth. Patients typically need a root canal when there is inflammation or infection in the roots of a tooth. Root canal treatments are often performed by a specialty dentist, called an endodontist, who will remove the pulp inside the tooth, clean, disinfect, and shape the canal, and place a filling to seal the space.

What should I expect at an urgent dental care clinic?

The Urgent Care Clinic only takes walk-ins. Patients are seen based on order of arrival. When you check in, you will be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire.

You will first be screened by a dental student, who works under the direct supervision of a licensed dentist on the College of Dental Medicine's faculty. Screening consists of a health history assessment, vital signs, oral examination, appropriate radiographs, and definitive diagnosis with the expressed goal of ensuring that your pain is addressed and alleviated same day.

Our goal is to evaluate and diagnose your urgent dental concern, then refer you to the appropriate point of care within the College of Dental Medicine. Compared to a private practice, the appointment length is typically longer, and the cost is typically more affordable.

What should I do if I do not have pain and do have a chipped or loose tooth that affects my ability to go about my daily activities?

Please schedule an appointment.

Rendering of urgent care in no way obligates the College of Dental Medicine to assume responsibility for further treatment. If additional care is indicated following urgent treatment, patients must follow the usual screening procedures to quality for comprehensive care.

Affordable Urgent Dental Care

Many of our patients choose MUSC dental care because they are looking for a more affordable, high-quality oral health care option.

The fee for an Urgent Care visit is $70. This fee covers your exam and all x-rays needed. If any additional services are required, for example, extraction or root canal, there will be additional fees.

Insurance

For information about insurance accepted and Care Credit – which offers interest-free payment plans to qualified applicants – please visit the Insurance and Payments page.

After-Hours Urgent Care

After-hours urgent care is available for established patients. Please call 843-792-2123.