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UW School of Dentistry

DECOD Clinic

DECOD (Dental Education in the Care of Persons with Disabilities) at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in Seattle was established in 1974 to increase access to care for people with disabilities.

What is our mission at DECOD?

  • Clinical Services – DECOD provides dental care that is not otherwise available in the community for patients with developmental and acquired disabilities.
  • Quality – DECOD is a teaching institution committed to improving quality of care for patients with disabilities.

Who do we treat at DECOD?

DECOD serves people with developmental and acquired disabilities, as well as residents of specific care facilities. Adults with DDA Medicaid benefits are usually eligible for DECOD services. Other individuals may be eligible if they meet state requirements. The most commonly covered diagnoses are listed below:

Developmental Disability

  • Autism
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Down Syndrome
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Other developmental disabilities

Acquired Disability

  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Spinal Cord Injury
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
  • Stroke (Cerebral vascular accident)
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy
  • Huntington’s Disease
  • Parkinson’s Disease

If you have concerns about diagnosis qualification, please contact your DDA case manager or the DECOD patient care coordinator at 206-543-4619.

Who will be providing your care at DECOD?

Treatment may be provided by dental students, dental residents, and dental hygiene students in addition to our DECOD faculty, fellows, and staff.

How do I become a patient at DECOD?

  • Please be advised that there is currently a waitlist for appointments at the DECOD Clinic, which may affect your ability to receive care at the DECOD Clinic.
  • If you have urgent dental needs, you may want to consider seeking assistance at the UW Dental Urgent Care Clinic (DUCC) or contacting us directly to discuss your options.
  • For life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit an Emergency Room.

Step 1: Complete the DECOD Eligibility Form

Download and fill out the DECOD Eligibility Form (PDF). Submit the completed form via:

Step 2: Complete the DECOD Intake Form

Once accepted as a patient, our staff will contact you to complete the DECOD Intake Form (PDF).

Step 3: Schedule a Teledentistry Appointment

Reason for Telehealth: Telehealth appointments give DECOD a chance to better understand your needs before coming in for an appointment. Most appointments involve talking and getting to know you and your dental history. The provider will walk you through a brief exam using a toothbrush to move your cheeks, and the exam can end at any time if needed for your comfort. If you are not able to complete the exam during the telehealth visit, that is okay. It still gives us a lot of information about how we can best support you when you arrive for your in-person visit. Please let us know if you do not have internet or Zoom access, and we will make alternative arrangements. Download the DECOD Clinic Teledentistry Appointment Guide (PDF) for details.

After submitting your intake form, you will have two virtual appointments:

1. New-Patient Intake Phone Call / Zoom Prep Call – During this appointment, we will be conducting a thorough review of your medical and dental history. Please provide:

  • Any concerns about your oral health
  • Your history of dental care
  • A current medication list
  • A current list of diagnoses
  • Surgical History

2. Zoom Teledentistry appointment – During this appointment, we will do an initial assessment to help plan your in-person care.

Step 4: Schedule an In-Person Clinic Appointment

After completing your virtual appointments, an in-person visit will be scheduled. This visit may include an exam and/or X-rays. All cleanings and other treatments will be scheduled separately.

Additional Forms (update as needed)

Please download and complete the following forms to update your records:

Location & Transportation

The DECOD Clinic is located in Room B-323 of the UW Health Sciences Building on NE Pacific Street between 15th Avenue NE and the Montlake Bridge. To find the DECOD clinic, visit our map and directions page.

Address

UW DECOD Clinic
1959 NE Pacific Street HSB B-323
Seattle WA 98195

Parking

  • Accessible parking spaces are available in the S-1 parking area and the Triangle Parking Garage.
  •  The S-1 parking area is south of the B and D wings of the Health Sciences Building.
  •  Standard parking fees apply. There are no discounts or validation stickers available.

Public Transportation

For bus routes, contact Metro: 206-553-3000 or 206-684-1739 (TTY)

For Light Rail services, contact Sound Transit: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • General Rider Inquiries: main@soundtransit.org 1-888-889-6368, TTY Relay 711
  • Accessibility Inquiries: 1-800-201-4900, TTY Relay 711

Additional Transportation Support

Transportation services for individuals with disabilities are available through HOPELINK.

  • Shoreline, WA: 206-440-7300
  • Redmond, WA: 425-869-6000
  • Kirkland, WA: 425-889-7880

ACCESS Transportation – King County:

  • Call the Access Rideline at 206-205-5000 (WA Relay: 711)
  • Calling from outside the Seattle area? Dial 1-866-205-5001 (WA Relay: 711)

Billing Questions

For billing inquiries, contact the School of Dentistry Billing Office at 206-543-5297.