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Choosing the appropriate place for care can help you receive timely treatment and avoid unnecessary medical expenses. Use this guide to compare emergency care, University Student Health Services, urgent care, mental-health crisis support, and dental care.
This guide provides general educational information and does not diagnose medical conditions. When symptoms appear severe or life-threatening, call 911.Choosing the appropriate place for care can help you receive timely treatment and avoid unnecessary medical expenses. Use this guide to compare emergency care, University Student Health Services, urgent care, mental-health crisis support, and dental care.
Life-threatening or serious emergency
Life-threatening or serious emergency
Call 911 or Go to an Emergency Department
Call 911 or Go to an Emergency Department
Call 911 when an illness or injury may threaten your life or cause serious disability. Do not delay emergency care because of concerns about cost or insurance.
Examples
Severe chest pain, pressure, or tightness
Severe difficulty breathing
Fainting, loss of consciousness, or inability to wake someone
Possible stroke symptoms, such as facial drooping, weakness on one side, sudden difficulty speaking, or sudden vision loss
Bleeding that will not stop despite direct pressure
Major head, neck, or spine injury
Severe allergic reaction with difficulty breathing or swelling of the face or tongue
Poisoning or overdose
Severe burns, major trauma, or a serious motor-vehicle injury
A suicide attempt or immediate danger of harm
Emergency care can be expensive, but cost should never prevent you from seeking care during a true emergency.
An emergency visit may result in separate bills for the hospital, physician, ambulance, laboratory tests, or imaging.
Mental-health or emotional crisis
Mental-health or emotional crisis
Get Immediate Mental-Health Support
Get Immediate Mental-Health Support
You do not have to be experiencing suicidal thoughts to contact a crisis counselor. Support is available for emotional distress, anxiety, depression, substance-use concerns, relationship difficulties, loneliness, or any situation in which you need immediate support.
Call or text 988
Free, confidential crisis support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Call or text 988
Free, confidential crisis support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
VCU University Counseling Services
Call 804-828-6200. After business hours, follow the instructions to reach the crisis counselor.
VCU University Counseling Services
Call 804-828-6200. After business hours, follow the instructions to reach the crisis counselor.
Call 911 when someone has attempted suicide, is in immediate physical danger, or cannot remain safe.
Call 911 when someone has attempted suicide, is in immediate physical danger, or cannot remain safe.
Minor illness, routine care, or ongoing health concern
Minor illness, routine care, or ongoing health concern
Start with University Student Health Services
Start with University Student Health Services
University Student Health Services (USHS) can serve as your primary-care clinic while you are an eligible VCU student. Schedule an appointment for minor illnesses, routine healthcare, preventive services, sexual-health concerns, and ongoing health conditions.
Examples
Cold, cough, sore throat, or mild fever
Headache or dizziness
Stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea
Minor injuries
Rash or skin concerns
Painful urination
Sexual-health concerns or STI testing
Contraceptive counseling
Vaccinations or physical examinations
Management of asthma, migraines, thyroid disease, diabetes, hypertension, or other ongoing conditions
After-hours, non-life-threatening care
After-hours, non-life-threatening care
Consider an Urgent Care Clinic
Consider an Urgent Care Clinic
Use urgent care when your condition is not life-threatening but needs attention before USHS or your regular healthcare provider is available.
Examples
A minor cut that may need stitches
A sprain or minor sports injury
Mild or moderate flu-like symptoms
Earache or sore throat
Low-grade fever
Limited rash
Minor burn
Possible minor fracture
Symptoms that cannot reasonably wait until USHS reopens
Dental Pain, Routine Cleanings, and Oral Health
Dental Pain, Routine Cleanings, and Oral Health
VCU School of Dentistry
VCU School of Dentistry
University Student Health Services does not provide routine dental care. Routine services such as dental examinations, cleanings, and X-rays are generally separate from medical healthcare coverage. Students should review their insurance benefits and ask about expected costs before receiving dental care.
VCU School of Dentistry offers routine, discounted, and urgent dental-care options. Eligibility, fees, scheduling, and available services vary by program.
SmileWell
SmileWell is a VCU School of Dentistry program offering affordable dental care for uninsured VCU students enrolled in at least 10 credit hours per semester.
For a $35 annual fee, the program provides 100% coverage for eligible preventive cleanings and X-rays, along with discounts on additional dental procedures. SmileWell is a discount program and is NOT a health-insurance plan.
Students enroll through an online form and are then contacted by VCU Dentistry with additional information and scheduling instructions.
Student 2 Student Discount Plan
Students who do not qualify for SmileWell may be eligible for VCU School of Dentistry's Student 2 Student Discount Plan, an affordable dental-care option available to qualifying college students in Virginia.
Eligibility, fees, discounts, and benefit limits vary according to student and enrollment status. Review the current VCU Dental information before enrolling.
VCU Dental Walk-In Urgent Care
VCU Dental Care provides walk-in evaluations for new patients experiencing acute dental pain or a possible dental infection.
No appointment is required.
The clinic opens at 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
Arriving before 10:30 a.m. provides the greatest chance of receiving treatment the same day.
Friday walk-in evaluations are limited to the morning.
An evaluation does not guarantee that treatment will be completed the same day.
Fees apply and vary according to the services needed.
Contact: 804-828-9190, Option 2 for urgent dental care
Unsure Where to Go?
Unsure Where to Go?
When USHS is closed and you have an urgent medical concern, call the USHS on-call provider
When USHS is closed and you have an urgent medical concern, call the USHS on-call provider
Monroe Park: 804-828-8828
MCV Campus: 804-828-9220
Describe your symptoms and ask what level of care is recommended. The on-call service is for consultation and does not replace 911 during an emergency.
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