Hospital dental care is dental care in a clinic or hospital setting including the operating room. Our dentists provide the same care as family dentists. Care includes fillings, cleanings, root canals, implants, bridges and dentures. But the setting and the patients are different.

Our dentists may see you in the emergency room or if you're admitted and having dental issues. Our outpatient care, located at Carilion Clinic Tanglewood, is always by referral.

Why would someone need hospital dental care? 

Hospital dentistry helps provide extra support to people who might need it. For example, doctors might refer people with certain physical or intellectual disabilities to us.  

Others with certain health issues, like cancer or bleeding issues, also need extra support while getting dental care.  

Issues with your teeth and gums can affect many other systems in your body. Bacteria from an infection in your tooth or gums can travel to your heart or joints. That's why people having certain surgeries may need to see our dentist first.  

We're trained to do these oral exams and pre-surgery care. 

Other times, treatments like chemotherapy or bone-strengthening medicine can impact your dental health. Medicines or health issues that weaken your immune system open you to infections, and you may need special dental care. 

Dental care for adults with health issues

We help support people with many different types of health issues. This includes complex health issues. 

You might need hospital dental care if you: 

• Are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy
• Have heart disease or other heart issues
• Are having joint replacement surgery
• Have had an organ transplant
• Have a bleeding disorder
• Have a chronic breathing problem
• Have HIV/AIDS
• Have immunosuppression (because of medicine or other health issues)
• Take bone density medicine
• Have had oral or facial trauma

Dental care for adults with special needs

Some people need more support when they see the dentist. Even if they only need routine care, a regular dental office may not be accessible.

We see adults who have more complex needs. This includes:

• People with physical disabilities
• People with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• People in long-term care facilities (our dentists work closely with Carilion Clinic Hospice to create care plans)
• People with dementia

Sometimes, these dental patients need full sedation. Our dentists work with anesthesiologists to ensure we sedate you safely so you can access care.

Hospital dentists offer basic and advanced dental care. We can use nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for anyone who needs it.

Our treatments include:

• Preventive care: We help people maintain good oral health through routine tooth cleanings and fillings.
• Standard dental care: We can do tooth extractions, root canals and partial and complete dentures. We also do crowns and bridges on the same day.
• Dental implants: We can place implants and do restorations.
• Wisdom tooth removal: We can remove one or more wisdom teeth.
• Gum surgery: We can check gum health and do deep cleanings and other types of gum care.
• Rehabilitation care: We can do complex oral rehabilitation, including after cancer surgery.

The different arms of Carilion Dentistry accept different types of insurance. Many also require a doctor's referral. Carilion Hospital Dentistry requires a referral. It's not open to the general public.  

Our dental care practice accepts: 

• Medicaid and Medicare
• Commercial carriers, including Delta Dental and Anthem 

Carilion's Financial Assistance Program also assists with medically necessary care if you need financial help.