For immediate use

Carolina Dentistry launches virtual oral health care helpline

(Chapel Hill, N.C.— March 23, 2020) – North Carolinians now have access to virtual dental services during the COVID-19 outbreak, thanks to a new initiative at Carolina Dentistry, a part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry.

Starting today, Carolina Dentistry is offering teledentistry services through a virtual helpline to patients and oral health care providers across the state.

This patient-centered service helps eliminate the burden of dental emergencies on emergency departments, including UNC Health, during the COVID-19 outbreak, and provides a safe way for patients to manage dental care by connecting virtually to a provider from the comfort of their home.

The Carolina Dentistry Virtual Oral Health Care Helpline, available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., will provide referrals for dental emergencies that must be addressed in person.

For patients who have urgent needs across the state and cannot easily travel to Chapel Hill, Carolina Dentistry will provide patients with information for their closest dental clinic.

Oral health care providers across North Carolina may also call to speak with a specialist for patient consultations and referring patients with dental emergencies.

“The Carolina Dentistry Virtual Oral Health Care Helpline is a service we are pleased to offer to the people of our state in these uncertain times,” said Scott S. De Rossi, DMD, MBA, president of Carolina Dentistry.

“This allows patients to identify whether or not they are having a dental emergency before coming to see us, and also perhaps save them a trip to Chapel Hill if another emergency care option is closer to them locally. Additionally, this service helps keep dental emergencies out of hospital emergency departments — allowing UNC Health and others to focus on those with other emergent needs.”

Patients may call the Virtual Oral Health Care Helpline at (919) 537-3088, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The initial call is free, additional services may have a charge.

For after-hours urgent care, patients should call (919) 537-3364. If a patient is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, they should contact their nearest emergency department.

For more information, please visit carolinadentistry.org .

-Carolina-

About Carolina Dentistry

Carolina Dentistry™ is a fully integrated oral health care facility that offers patients the unique benefit of expertise in every dental specialty in one organization. Based in Chapel Hill, N.C., Carolina Dentistry comprises the clinical operations that occur at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry. Carolina Dentistry offers patients three provider levels from which to choose – predoctoral students, graduate students/residents and world-renowned faculty – and provides the people of North Carolina with a comprehensive approach to their oral health care. For more information, visit www.carolinadentistry.org .

About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Claude A. Adams, Jr. and Grace Phillips Adams School of Dentistry is transforming dentistry for better health. Founded in 1950, the UNC Adams School of Dentistry was the first dental school in the state and is regarded as a leader in oral health care and education. More than half the dentists in North Carolina are UNC trained, and UNC Adams School of Dentistry alumni live or work in 96 of North Carolina’s 100 counties, all 50 U.S. states and 27 countries. The school sees more than 90,000 patients each year in its clinics and provides care ranging from general needs to complex cases. Consistently ranked among the top schools for NIH funding, the school strongly supports the University’s research mission. Together, the school’s faculty, staff and students passionately serve their community and field through service within North Carolina totaling more than $3 million of in-kind care annually. The ultimate goal of the UNC Adams School of Dentistry is to be the global model for oral health education, in care and discovery. Click here to learn more.

About the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is a global higher education leader known for innovative teaching, research and public service. A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, Carolina regularly ranks as the best value for academic quality in U.S. public higher education. Now in its third century, the University offers 74 bachelor’s, 104 master’s, 65 doctorate and seven professional degree programs through 14 schools including the College of Arts & Sciences. Every day, faculty, staff and students shape their teaching, research and public service to meet North Carolina’s most pressing needs in every region and all 100 counties. Carolina’s 336,392 alumni live in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories and 164 countries. More than 182,182 live in North Carolina.

Carolina Dentistry Media Contact: Tiffany Brannan, (919) 264-6277, tiffany_brannan@unc.edu

University Communications: Media Relations, (919) 445-8555, mediarelations@unc.edu