Learn. Care. Community.
Helping students learn while caring for your teeth.
Before you book your appointment
Why this clinic exists
Our clinic is part of a university dental hygiene education program. Clients help students gain real-world experience while receiving high-quality oral health care.
How our teaching clinic works
- A learning environment: Appointments are based on both client needs and student learning requirements. Care is provided by students.
- Instructor supervision: Licensed instructors guide and review treatment.
- Longer appointments: Appointments are longer than at a typical dental office because students take time to assess, learn, and review their work with instructors.
- Several visits: Care is completed over multiple appointments to allow students to learn, with instructor supervision, as they provide thorough care.
Note: The number of visits may vary depending on your oral health and student learning requirements. Appointment scheduling may be limited.
Who this clinic is best for
For most clients, care can be provided by our clinic. However, certain complex treatments or conditions may be better managed in a private dental office. Our team will help determine if our clinic is the best fit for your care.
Our clinic works best for people who:
• have flexible schedules
• are comfortable with longer and multiple appointments in an open concept teaching environment
• want to support student learning
• want more affordable care
Before you book an appointment
Learn more about what to expect before requesting an appointment. Our teaching clinic is different from a regular dental office. Before requesting an appointment, please review the information below to make sure it’s a good fit for you.
Your commitment to care in a teaching clinic
- we appreciate your commitment to keeping your scheduled appointments; your reliability helps students meet their educational requirements
- repeated missed or cancelled appointments may result in dismissal from the clinic; because student learning depends on consistent client participation, clients who are unable to maintain scheduled appointments may no longer be eligible to receive services through the teaching clinic
- if you need to cancel or change your appointment (e.g., you are sick), we ask you to provide as much notice as possible: 250.740.6240 or dentalclinic@viu.ca
Appointments are longer
- appointments are typically up to 3 hours long; please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment and allow time for parking
- students take extra time to: complete assessments, provide care, review treatment with instructors
Treatment often requires multiple visits
- care in our clinic is usually completed over several appointments
- this allows students to meet their learning requirements while providing thorough care in an open concept teaching environment
Scheduling options are limited
Appointments are based on:
- student learning requirements
- clinic schedules
Because of this, appointment times are less flexible than a private dental office.
Our services
We focus on preventive oral health care, including:
- Oral health exams: Check your teeth, gums, and overall oral health.
- Dental x-rays: Images that help identify problems not visible in an exam.
- Teeth cleaning: Removal of plaque, tartar, and stains.
- Cavity protection: Fluoride and dental sealants.
- Oral health education: Home care advice and techniques to prevent and manage gum disease and tooth decay.
The clinic does not provide the full range of dental treatment such as fillings, extractions, crowns, root canals or emergency care.
Your visits at our clinic
Screening (approximately 1 hour)
- review health history
- consent form
- no treatment
- no fee
Note: We will take your blood pressure. Please wear short sleeves or loose-fitting clothing.
Next steps: If accepted, your name enters a client pool. We match you with a student based on your oral health needs and their learning requirements.
- Assessment (approximately 3 hours)
- full assessment of mouth, including teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks
- take x-rays if needed
- screening by dentist, if available
- Treatment (one to four visits, approximately 3 hours each)
- number of visits depends on complexity
- discuss treatment plan
- provide preventive oral health care
- one-time fee for treatment series
- Final evaluation (approximately 1 hour, if needed)
- review care and next steps
Ready to request an appointment?
- contact the VIU dental clinic to request an initial screening appointment
- if accepted, we determine if your needs match student learning requirements
- you will be matched with a student for treatment
Fees
Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Screening (required for all new adult clients) | Free |
| Child (0-12) treatment series | $25 |
| Youth (13-18) treatment series | $35 |
| Adult (19+) treatment series - new client | $55 |
Adult (19+) treatment series - returning client (treated at VIU within the last three years) | $45 |
- Method of payment: Only Interac debit, VISA or Mastercard are accepted.
- If English is not your first language and communication may be a barrier, please bring someone who can complete forms and act as an interpreter.
Clinic closures
Our clinic follows the VIU calendar and is closed during scheduled breaks, including statutory holidays and between semesters (e.g., December to January and June to August). During these periods, services are not available.
In the event that VIU must close campus(es) and facilities due to severe weather conditions, see severe weather procedure.
Contact us
VIU Dental Clinic (Building 180, Room 560)
Vancouver Island University
Nanaimo (main campus)
900 Fifth Street
Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5
Canada
Phone: 250.740.6240
Email: dentalclinic@viu.ca
Client FAQ
Because this is a teaching clinic, students are learning while providing your care. They take extra time to complete assessments, review their work, and check treatment with instructors. Appointments are typically up to 3 hours long.
Care in a teaching clinic is often completed over multiple visits. This allows students to complete their learning requirements and provide thorough care.
Students provide care, supervised by licensed instructors.
Yes. Instructors regularly check the student’s work and guide the treatment.
Appointments are scheduled based on student learning requirements and clinic availability, which means scheduling may be less flexible than in a private dental office.
The clinic focuses on preventive oral health care, including exams, teeth cleanings, gum care, x‑rays, and oral health education.
It’s best for people with flexible schedules who are comfortable with longer and multiple appointments and want to support student learning.
Yes. Due to privacy regulations under FIPPA, dental offices can request your x-rays. Once requested, they are securely sent through encrypted messaging to ensure your information remains protected.
Our teaching clinic is different from a regular dental office. All new clients are screened. If accepted, your name enters a client pool. We match you with a student based on your oral health needs and their learning requirements.
We appreciate your commitment to keeping your scheduled appointments. Your reliability helps students meet their educational requirements.
Repeated missed or cancelled appointments may result in dismissal from the clinic; because student learning depends on consistent client participation, clients who are unable to maintain scheduled appointments may no longer be eligible to receive services through the teaching clinic.
If you need to cancel or change your appointment (e.g., you are sick), we ask you to provide as much notice as possible: 250.740.6240 or dentalclinic@viu.ca
Contact our clinic as soon as possible: 250.740.6240 or dentalclinic@viu.ca
No. Our clinic followed the VIU calendar and is closed during scheduled breaks, including statutory holidays and between semesters (e.g., December to January and June to August). During these periods, services are not available.
In the event that VIU must close campus(es) and facilities due to severe weather conditions, see severe weather procedure.
Our clinic is designed as an open-concept teaching environment, where client care is provided in a shared clinical space rather than in enclosed rooms. This model supports close supervision by instructors and a collaborative learning experience. We take care to maintain privacy, professionalism, and infection control throughout your visit.