New Patients

New to Harvard Dental Center?

Whether you're looking for affordable care with our student dentists or fast appointments with our faculty providers, we’ll help you get started. Explore your care options and know what to expect at your first visit.

Hygienist working with patient

What to expect on your first visit

  • Complete a 15–30 min Oral Diagnosis (OD) screening.
  • Review your health history with a faculty dentist.
  • Receive a limited oral exam (no treatment).
  • Determine if the Harvard Dental Center's teaching model is the right fit for you.
  • Schedule a full exam if appropriate.
  • Get referred to a specialty clinic if your needs are more complex.

Note: Patients referred from outside providers must still complete the Oral Diagnosis screening to ensure appropriate placement in our care system.

Preparing for your first appointment

To help make your visit smooth and efficient, please review the following:

  • Arrival time. Please arrive 15 minutes early to complete any required paperwork. You may also register for our Patient Portal and complete forms before your appointment.
  • Dental X-rays.  If you’ve had dental x-rays taken recently, please bring them to your appointment or have your previous provider email them to: clinical_affairs@hsdm.harvard.edu.
  • Referrals. If you were referred by another provider, bring any referral forms, letters, or related documents to your appointment.
  • Parking and directions. Click here for directions and parking information.

Ready to schedule your visit?

Fill out our quick request form, or call us at (617) 432-1434 to book your appointment directly. We look forward to serving you!

two clinicians in PPE waving from the operatory doorway