ISU Family Dentistry

Idaho State University recognizes that our mission is to care, support, and educate individuals and families affected by health conditions that diminish their quality of life. We acknowledge that individuals may experience discrimination in the healthcare system, which can adversely affect their health outcomes.  We recognize that both conscious and unconscious discrimination occur. Overt and conscious discrimination is not tolerated. Unconscious or unintentional discrimination need to be identified, challenged, and addressed. We believe everyone has the right to be healthy and have access to the resources they need.

We strive to achieve the following commitments to our colleagues and our patients:

•  Goal 1: We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, physical or mental disability, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression.
• Goal 2: All patients receive the highest level of care possible delivered in a patient and family friendly approach using evidence-based medicine.
• Goal 3: We recognize racism, not race, as the cause for healthcare disparities and therefore will examine our healthcare treatment plans for bias.
• Goal 4: We will track information on factors that create disparities as they relate to health outcomes to better identify how we may actively seek to eliminate such disparities in healthcare.
• Goal 5: We intend to improve the diversity of our workforce to reflect the community we serve.
• Goal 6: We commit to listen, learn, and seek to understand in order to create impactful and sustainable positive change.
• Goal 7: We will recognize and reward practices that promote health equity.

Definition of health equity: The state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/

While the terms equity and equality may sound similar, the implementation of one versus the other can lead to dramatically different outcomes for marginalized people: Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome within the scope of care provided at ISU Clinics.

Make an Appointment

Call (208) 373-1855 to schedule an appointment.

• Clinic Hours:  Tuesday - Thursday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Consent Forms

Consent forms are traditionally sent via DocuSign to your email account.  If you are unable to sign consent forms electronically, paper copies are also available for your covenience.  Please print and return with you on the day of your appointment.

• Patient Registration
• Dental History
• Preliminary Acceptance Meridian
• Residency Authorization
• Sliding Fee Scale_Dental
• Notice of Privacy Practices
• Acknowledgement of Privacy Practices

Parking

ISU provides free parking for clinic patients/clients:

• Clinic parking is outlined in yellow directly in front of the ISU Meridian Clinics' entrance.
• The parking area is located on the southwest side of the building facing I-84.

If you are experiencing a dental emergency and are a patient of record at our clinic, please contact us at (208) 921-5136.  If the call is not answered, please leave a voice mail and the Resident on call will return your call as soon as possible.   If you are unsure if your situation is an emergency, please call 911 and allow the dispatcher to help you decide if you need care at a local emergency care center or your Dentist. 

What is a Dental Emergency?

• Shooting, severe, persistent pain
• Excessive bleeding from the gums or tooth area
• Knocked out tooth
• A chipped tooth with sharp edges
• An infection like an abscess, which can be potentially fatal if ignored
• Loose or wiggly teeth (adults only)

How can I treat my symptoms at home before I get care?

• If your tooth has been knocked out, keep it moist! Attempt to place the tooth back into its socket. Try not to touch the root. If that is not possible, hold it between your cheek and gums or put it in a container of milk. Contact us immediately or go to the ER.
• If your tooth has cracked, rinse your mouth with warm water and try to clean the area as best you can. Cold compress your face to help keep swelling down.
• If you severely bite your tongue or lip, try and clean the area as best you can and apply a cold compress.
• For severe toothaches, immediately rinse your mouth with warm water. Look for food caught between teeth and floss if possible.
• If you have an object stuck in between your teeth, try to remove gently with floss. Do not, under any circumstances, use a sharp object.

Billing

• Insurance:  The clinic accepts and bills all dental insurance plans including Medicaid for adults with disabilities and children less than 21 years of age.  We currently do not have any adult medicaid openings.
• Non-Covered Services:  Services that are non-covered may be discounted using a sliding fee schedule based upon family size and income.

Payment

Some services are non-covered or may be subject to your deductible.

• Payment, including co-pays, is expected at the time of service. 
• We accept cash, check, and visa/debit payments.
• We also accept Care Credit.
• Ask about our income-based sliding scale.
• Click here to make an online payment:
  
  Pay Online

No Surprise Billing Act

What is a residency clinic?  

Idaho State University sponsors the Idaho Advanced General Dentistry Program, an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency. The goal of the program includes increasing the knowledge and clinical skills of the general dentist beyond that achieved in the pre-doctoral education. Through an integrated multidisciplinary learning environment, residents are able to increase their competence in the application of modern standards of care and practice management.

This one-year residency focuses on providing comprehensive care in a variety of clinical settings, emphasizing rural, underserved, and at risk populations. Residents also receive training with patients who have emergency or episodic needs. A certificate is awarded upon the successful completion of the program.

The Meridian site includes:

• State-of-the-art facility that opened in 2011 with $1.5 million in funding from Delta Dental of Idaho Community Outreach and the Idaho Legislature.
• 12 clinical treatment rooms, including 2 surgical suites
• Videoconferencing capability
• X-ray and sterilization lab
• CAD/CAM unit
• CBCT 3D imaging

Can your clinic put patient to sleep for dental treatment? 

Yes, ISU Family Dentistry has several different types of sedation. Make your appointment for a consultation to see what works best you.

How much will my dental treatment cost? 

At your first initial appointment, we will complete an initial examination, x-ray and create a treatment plan with an itemized cost.  

If I have dental x-rays already, can they be sent to you?

Yes, please have your x-rays sent to wrigste4@health.isu.edu.