DECOD: Patient Services

If you are disabled, it is important that you receive good dental care. Are you one of the 49 million Americans with a disability? If the answer is yes, regular dental care is especially important to avoid the serious dental problems that often are associated with disabilities. A healthy mouth can contribute to your overall physical health and can increase your sense of well-being.

If you have a disability, you are among the 15% of the population who often have difficulty finding a dentist, particularly one skilled in care of persons with complex medical and oral problems. DECOD at the University of Washington is helping to meet the needs of those with disabilities through its clinical programs. It may be possible for you to receive care through DECOD.

What is DECOD?

DECOD (Dental Education in Care Of persons with Disabilities) at the University of Washington School of Dentistry was established in 1974 to train dental professionals in special needs of persons with disability.

Through its clients, DECOD provides more than 3,500 dental visits per year to persons with disabilities. It is a major resource for Washington citizens who are severely disabled due to developmental disorders, medical illness, trauma, degenerative conditions or psychiatric problems.

DECOD provides care through several clinics:

Pediatric - for children with disabilities

Rehabilitation - for those in vocational training and independent living programs

Geriatric - for disabled elderly

Mobile Dental Service - for residents of long-term care facilities and the homebound

DECOD receives funding support from the Medical Assistance Administration of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services.

DECOD Goals

Treatment - DECOD's highly trained dentists provide expert treatment for a wide range of dental problems; the goal is to improve oral health and contribute to the well-being and function of clinic clients.

Prevention - Prevention is key to maintaining oral health. Clinic staff work with clients and caregivers to establish appropriate methods of preventing dental and oral disease.

Rehabilitation - The dental team will work closely with clients, their counselors and rehabilitation therapists to enhance quality of life and employability by improving oral health.

DECOD Faculty and Staff

Your treatment will be provided by clinical faculty members experienced in the treatment of patients with special needs, graduate dental trainees, and senior dental students supervised by faculty at the UW School of Dentistry.

How to Become a DECOD Patient

Call us at (206) 543-4619 for information about dental care of the disabled. You will be directed to the dental service that best suits your needs.

We will send you an application package and arrange an appointment for a dental examination. A mobile dental service is available for those who are unable to visit the UW.

If you are accepted into the DECOD program, the dentist who will provide treatment will discuss your dental needs and you will receive an estimate of fees. If treatment at the School of Dentistry is not appropriate for you, we will suggest other sources of care.

Fees and Payment for Services

The DECOD Clinical Services charge School of Dentistry graduate student fees for care provided to you. These fees generally are lower than those charged in private dental offices.

Medicaid, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and other third-party payments are accepted for procedures covered by these payers. If you receive public assistance medical coupons, you must bring a valid coupon with you to every appointment.

Clinic Location and Appointments

The DECOD Clinic counts on you to keep your appointments so that we may provide the best possible service to you and to the many other patients seeking care. If you need to cancel an appointment, you must give 24 hours notice so that we can fill your time slot.

The DECOD Clinic is located in Room B-239 of the UW Health Sciences Building on NE Pacific Street between 15th Avenue NE and the Montlake Bridge.

Click here to view an interactive map of the UW medical center

Parking - Special parking places for disabled persons are available in the S-1 parking area directly south of the B and D wings of the Health Sciences Building in the School of Dentistry. The usual parking fee is charged. The first floor entrance to the D wing has curb cuts and ramps for wheelchairs.

Buses - For information call Metro at 553-3000 or 684-1739 TTY.

Several services offer transportation for elderly and disabled persons. If you need help making arrangements, call the DECOD Clinic at 543-4619.

Questions? Please call the DECOD Clinic at 543-4619 or the School of Dentistry Billing Office at 543-5297.