Patient Rights and Responsibilities
University of Minnesota Notice of Privacy Policies
Patient Information Brochure and Patient Bill of Rights
Our Dental School accepts all patients with dental needs that are appropriate for teaching students contemporary techniques of dentistry regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation. We are committed to providing high quality, person-centered care. Person-centered care is a way of thinking and doing things that sees the people using our services as equal partners in planning, developing and monitoring care to make sure it meets their needs. This means putting people and their families at the center of decisions, working alongside professionals to get the best outcome. Person-centered care is not just about giving people whatever they want or providing information. It is about considering people’s desires, values, family situations, social circumstances and lifestyles; seeing the person as an individual; and working together to develop appropriate solutions.
Interpretive Services
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry can arrange for an interpreter, if one is needed. Please let your dental provider or a Patient Care Coordinator know if you will need to use this service for any dental visit.
Appointment Cancellation and Failures to Appear
Appointments should be cancelled only if absolutely necessary and at least 24 hours in advance. To cancel an appointment, call 612-625-4435 if the clinics are closed. Three failures in one year or failure to meet appointment times without notice will result in your treatment being terminated. Please remember your student dentist depends on you to come to your appointments as there is a limited amount of time for them to achieve the necessary clinical experiences for graduation.
Patient Advocacy
If you have any questions about your treatment or your bill, you should first contact your student dentist or Patient Accounting. Resolution of non financial problems and/or complaints should be addressed while you are in the clinic. In the event that this effort is unsuccessful, you and your student dentist should consult the Department or Division Director as the case may warrant. Should the nature of the complaint or problem go beyond this level and still be unresolved, the student should confer with a patient liaison at 612-625-4994.
Also, if at any time, you feel that your rights and requests are not being honored and you cannot resolve the situation with your dentist or staff person, you shall have access to a patient liaison to assist you in the process. To reach a liaison, please call 612-625-4994.
Information About Infection Control and Bloodborne Pathogens
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry adheres to all state and federal regulations, as stipulated in guidelines of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Dental Association. The school also has policies and procedures related to individuals who have bloodborne infectious diseases.
In addition, because dental schools conduct research involving human tissues and fluids, strict infection control regulations are followed to protect the patients, students, staff and faculty who might be involved in such research.
Copies of relevant policies are available upon request to:
University of Minnesota School of Dentistry
Office for Clinical Affairs
8-426 Moos Tower
515 Delaware St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455